New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-11
SOMETHING FOR NOTHING.


SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. q
We published few days ago tho affecting story
of young man in this city who has had the misfor-
tune to lose $50 900 in gambling. We trust that this
youth is duly repentant, and has both the disposition
and ability to 20 TO work. The passion for becoming
Suddenly rich which scts this country (and several
others) if you examine it closely, is only an intense
desire to get something for nothing, to rsvish fortune
TO extort luck from the desnies, snd to make indo-
lence serve US the turn Of genuine labor We DO not
dare TO compute the number Of needy men who at
this moment are asking or mean 10 ask Mr. Andrew
johnson TO give them an Office. Now we admit, TO
begin with. that there must be Offices and that men
must be found to hold them. But why is it that there
such rush for these preciousplsces little ones,
especially which have but meager stpends attached to
them' Are all honest trades smittep BY pssyi Is
there no earth left TO dig in Is there nothing re-
munerative TO be done at or on shore Why this
especial eagerness to serve the Government and to
handle the Government paper money! The an
swer to this question viii not be creditable
to the high and mighty business Of office
seeking. Places are spoken Of as "ht," as
"snug" as comfortable" and these sdJectves mean
that in drawing their salaries the holders get paid for
work which they do not perform. which other men
would be very glad to do for great deal less money
which Is more honorable, respectable, or easy than
ordinary svocaons. There may be exceptions TO the
rule. There are, Wa believe, Offices 30 small that 1t
ia not worth while for any but real patriot TO bold
them, though even as to such the contagon ia pre-
dominant and hungry supplisnts will take these If
they can get nothing better But just so far ss the
emoluments of place disprOpOronate to its la
bos 1t is prize the lottery Of politics, stake for
which gamblers deal, and shuttle, and out. The
scrsmbling show brings back to the old formula
something for nothing!
But the season reminds US that perhaps this phrase
il not exactly accurae several important elections
are closely at hand; the extraordinary and wul i'm
policy of the President is to be passed upon and thus
it happens that men have chance Of earning political
rewards, and Of establishing personal claim upon
the Appointing Power 1t is an opportunity, we may
be sure, which will, by means, DO neglected Ten
men will engage in doing what one could DO much
more effectually, and will be noisly prominent IN
hailing their chief who, in triumph, will not advances
they will give their time, wind, muscles, endurance,
pride, dignity, and conscience, to cause which 1t
would puzzle them TO define. and puzzle them still
more to defend; and they will do this in the foriorn
hope of turning out q neighbor, and Of crawling COM
fortably into his nest To effect this they will attend
thin caucuses, and, maybe, make thinner speeches;
they will subscribe their money (if they have any);
they will travel to Conventions and help to officer
them, and, generally they will do what they can to
earn recognition and reward. But il is all OF piece
Morally, their abors are of value; they and their
party in most places will be excruciatingy beaten,
and although they may win the salve Of office, 1t is
perfectly clear that they will not deserve it. 30, in
the end if they get place, it will be-Somsthins Tor
nothing
But the chances are that. after all. the something
will slip through their fingers. There ID but one
place for the ten. and they ell equally hungry.
Nine, therefore, must weep and wall, and gnash those
teeth for which they have other use. The doctrine
of chances is dead against them. man may be
struck by lightning. but he would hardly like 70 rest
bis chances OF salvation upon dying in that way 30
man may get Office. No. may DO appointed
but all the rest from No. to No 10, will have be-
mired themselves in vain. Their hopes Will be
blasted Their expectations will be disappointed
Their hearts will be broken. Their status a. respect
able members of the body polite will be lost Their
wives aud children (poor creatures will be mortified
and grieved. Their sycophantic speeches about An
drew johnson will never be forgotten; and they will
be cut of from all decent chances, in the future oil
making-somcthng from nothing!
There Is no game so desperate but somebody will
be found out. .the-elbows enough TO adventure It,
There are people living in this city, apparently sane
who expect to draw the Chicago Opera House in the
great rattle 1t very fortunate for this country that
the vast majority of voters do not want Office and
could not be bribed to take il. As Gen. Farnsworth
said, in his speech few evenings since; The loyal
people of this country are not to be bought up by
petty post-oaces," and if they were, there are not
post offices enough to carry on the trade The can
yassng will be very fast and furious for some time to
come. and when an honest voter is asked to so cast
his ballot that his neighbor may be made postmaster
his best answer perhaps will be that he is not In the
habit Of giving-something for nothing
,