Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-03-25
The Scramble for Oncs.


L las aixays been held a. a political a1y0m,
that the Governments Of frco people reelected
Us sentiments. Hsscs il follows that, If the
great sources O. political power are virtuous
and intelligent tire government emanatiug
tberefron, must also - administered BY intel
Eseut aud virtuouz rulers. Admitting this %
be true 10 the case o. our great Republic, we
have a singular spectacle presented 10 Us AZ the
present time.
Aftcr an exciting contest by the great Polti-
cal parties q the day, the successful! ean1i'iaie
g the Radical party. nominated by It, not on
account Of lis adhesion thereto, but because Of
lis popularity among all classes Of the people
isnow Prssileutof the UuiteiS States. Scarce
" had be taken the oath o. Office and entered
upon the discharge of IFS duties as Chief Ma
rizrate. before be is literally beseisei Nv dele
cations from almost al the States, bent upon
parceling out the Executive Patronage. Thou-
sands of hungry of5oe-seekers crowd the Hotels
and Boarding Houses, Of the Federal City
FOrsasilg the surer means II support aud COM
Potency at home, they come 70 secure the fat
places Of trust and proft-places, that many
q their present occupants have managed to
acquire fortunes in-to tie serious detriment
of Uncle Sans finances.
L is asserted by those who know, that there
are at least ten applicants for every office IN
the Blue Book, from first class Foreign Mis-
sion down 10 the loves, laborers place in the
Executive Departments. So great has this
pressure become. that the Secretaries at Wash
ington have been compelled in order 10 pro
per discharge Of their legitimate duties, TO limit
the hours Of receiving these unwelcone clam
orers flr place. Senators and Members are
daily and hourly beseiged in the marble halls
Of the Capitol, charged upon at their Hotels,
way'sid GA the streets, and even waited ior at
the church-doors, aud asked 20 sign the papers
Of these patriotic gentlemen, who are 50 anx-
i5us % let the government have their valuable
services
Tie failure Of the Senate, thus far, to pass
TIE Repeal of the Tenure-of- Ofice-Act, sent
from the House, las dampened the ardor Of
many Of tbs Army Of the Potomac, as it is
now facetously termed. aud. having exhausted
their means. they have returned h ne in dis
gust, fully convinced Of the fact, %, that Repub-
lies are uagratsfll."
Now. what does tbs unparalleled thiEst for
ofice demonstrate Dies il no, plainly show
that great masses Of the people are becoming
demoralizcd? Does il not indicate plainly
that they, at least, are not up to the standard
Of American energy and thrift? Or. does it
also prove, that very many Of them, mindful
Of the populations Of many Of the present in
cumbcnts. are induced to make these herculean
efforts n get at the public crib, for ike dis
graceful purposes?
The President has already said, that these
men who crowd tie city 10 search Of Office, are
not tie right men for the right places. And
we think thar tl.s evil viii not cease to exist
until uea are selected for position, as they were
10 tie best days Of the Republic, so2sly. on ac-
couatof their honesty aud capacity. Jencke's
Bll, or some other Of Ike tenor, must he en-
acted jy Congress, that will strike at the very
rot Of this evil Le; applicants for Office all
be placed on the s1me footing, let them be
rigilIy examined as 20 their qualifications for
tie positions sought, by an impartial Board Of
Examiners. aud when passed, let them be en-
p,oyel ca probation, until they fully prove
tieir merits and qualifications. Then and no;
until then, VIII Ills dsgraceful scramble for
places cease, yr in a great measure be abatei.