The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1869-02-06
Office Seeking.

We saw it stated az fact, few days ago,
his duties at Washington, he generally finds on
his return mail matter enough to keep him two
hours and half in asserting it, and that the
great bulk Of his letters are from persons asking
his recommendation TO some office. This at once
indicates the fearful propensity which orr people
possess for becoming Government employees.
Office seeking has peculiar attractions to many
people and yet Office holding rarely pays. IF
those who seek influence in order to secure an
appointment would bestow the same energy in
looking mp some employment, they would gain
better and more independent living. 1t is the
thousand or fifteen hundred dollar salary which
is tempting. Better begin on a much less sum,
as the result of your individual enterprise than
reap comparative larger harvest, which is liza
BILE at any time to be cut off. Office holders never
grow very rich. There are only few sugar
plnms in the government pudding, spd one stands
but little chance Of being the lucky political
Jack Horner IN the great scramble for positions"
Office holders seem not 10 he very happy men,
take them as whole. Merit, we regret to say,
is rot often claim for preferment, and set-ap-
probation is not at all conducive to promotion.
Best qualities arc NOT always recognized and the
equalization Of labor, us compared with the pay
received, is an unknown plea inside of depart
ment bureaus. Why so many strive for these
positions is mystery, especially when we have
ouch field for the enterprising and industrious
in the far West, and in fact, all over the country
A man out of business, it s true, will try his
chance and secure an Office IL be can, for be re-
quires the most immediate means for procuring
the necessities of life, especially If he is man of
family ; but that young man should be induced
to quit trade or profession because he has an
Influential friend who can give him an Office, is
one of the mysteries of human life.
The path to fortune, iG this country, does not
pass through custom-heuse, post Office or the
departments at Washington, and we suggest, to
young men, especially who are waiting the
Fourth of March before they commence the I'M
dertakng of procuring desk in some branch of
the public service, that they wisely reflect whe:h-
er, obtaining the same, they DO not make bad
start in life. Tho excuse so commonly offered,
that they only take office in order TO have an OPP
to find something better and more per-
manent, is a very poor one. Office-hoding is des-
tructive Of business habits, and four years ser
vice is apt to take out OF all the selreliance
and industry be ever possessed. When person
once commences to lean upon Uncle Sam, it is
wonderful how hard it is for him to stand alone.
There is 90 idea somewhat prevalent that when
Gen. Grant beeomes President, he will initiate a
political earthquake that must upset all the present
officials which will neccssi,aie ii demand for men
TO fill their place. We believe that this Is
notion. We think that incompetent
officials and thoae who have held on long to
public patronage, and who have become offensive
to public sentiment AZ chronic office holders will
have to fall beneath the Presidential axe but
men Of ability, who discharge their duties ac-
ceptably, and who have been loyal to tho Union
Grant loves so well, will not be troubled. And
such course will be commended by the people
Il 10 In accordance with the requirements of the
public business for general overthrow of we'll
drilled officials is not only detrimental to the
efficiency Of the public service, but 10 unjust to
The business interests of individuals
We are aware that i, ia difficult, at times, for
.ven a competent man to secure employment
out there are very few of8ces, az We hsye said,
which lead towealth and very few fficlal posi-
lons which qualify man for any other business
n life. When we have Civil Service net which |
will make merit and ability the requisites of Sc
'uring and holding Office, things win be changed,
mt IN the meantime individual energy and en-
erpriss can find more inviting and more profits
'ie field.