The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-21
THE JANUARY MAGAZINES.



a Cosmopolitan; Sketches in Color, III;
Concerning Charlotte, part j, by the author
of "Stin Life in Paris; "Ad Meipsum, by
Rev. S. w. Dufield "In the Departments, .
by W. II. Babcock; Harvest" by Edgar
Fawcett; 'Thawed Out, by NJ. L. Bissell; "a
Frnnch Salon." by Shirley Hyde; "a
Woman's Right, i, by Mary Clemmer Ames
'Linguistics- New Philology," by Pro-
fessor j. G. r. McElroy; ''Father Hyacinthe
and his Church, by John Bigelow; ''Brevi-
ties: The Princess Biddy;" "Table-Talk," by
Charlton T. Lewis; Literature at Home, :"
by r. H. Stoddard; Current Events
From the article by w. H. Babcock en-
titled I'm the Departments, we quote the
following
1t must be admitted that the general tendency
of Office routine is far from beneficial. vast
majority of the clerks have of necessity but little
responsibility resting upon them, and soon learn
to let their interest in their work cease with
each days allotted portion. Their minds are
thus lett vacant during the remaining eighteen
hours, and susceptible to all external tempta-
tions, while salaries regularly paid furnish them
with the means of gratifying their desires 1t is
no wonder that many of the younger and more
thoughtless should be beguiled into folies that
at home would be almost without attraction.
But this is not the only evil effect produced.
While there are undoubtedly some situations in
the various offices which require unusual ability,
diligence, and learning, IL is none the less true
that at most of the desks but very moderate
quantity of brainwork is required and no body
work that is worthy of the name. As a natural
result, the unused faculties, both mental and
physical, lose their power; the knowledge ac-
quired by patient study at school and college is
forgotten little by little; the skill of hand in
more laborious avocations steadily decreases;
and even bodily health and vigor soon waste
aalp ft,lv
thatcome from continuous and useful labor are at
least partially lost; while the consciousness of
being an underling with no chance of promotion
tends to dwarf all ambition and undermine all
self-relianCe and independence of character.
A very considerable number of the young men
who enter the departments marry within two
or three years afterward; and TO some of them
marriage proves blessing. Indeed, it is a mat
ter OF general remark that for every single clerk
who lays up money there are five married ones.
But, notwithstanding, it is a somewhat hazard
Gus experiment Even if the couple succeed in
saving anything at first which, considering the
eXorbitance of Washington prices, is no easy
matter, their slender resources are sure to be
drawn upon as the family increases, till nothing
is left. Then there is the ever-present danger
OF discharge continually hanging over their
heads. With every change of administration it
comes in the guse of rotation in office; while
between times reduction" Chat terrible word y
constitutes q sufficient explanation at any mo-
ment. Very often this same reduction" is only
strangers or personal enemies to make room for
The friends Of those in power. But that is q
poor consolation to the helpless discharged one.
Iiis only resource is to dog the heels and play
lacquey in the anterooms of our little great men,
hoping that by Congressional influence he can
procure reinstatement.
This failing, as it usually does, hard lot
awaits him. His long-continued sedentary life
has totally untitled him for either manual labor,
mercantile pursuits, or the practice of profess
sion; and in all probability he has no resource
either of mind or body that possesses a market
value. Then he has been tugged so long in the
wake of the Ship of State that he doubts his
ability to row alone, and is half inclined to
shrink from the undertaking. Without money,
friends-for he has probably made none in
Washington who can help him--or means of
earning livelihood, and with family looking
to him for support his condition is far from
enviable.
Indeed, the amount of suffering which re-
suits from the present arbitrary system of dis
charges is far greater than is generally known,
and perhaps than would be generally believed.
The troubles and trials of clerk attract no
attention from the world outside; and but very
little from even his companions at the Office.
They recognize in him bird of passage like
themselves who comes no one knows whence,
and goes no one knows whittier. While to-
gether they have their petty merry-makings
and heart-burnings, their common grievances
and pleasures; but when the hour of discharge
comes, he passes from their little world like
star blotted out of heaven leaving not trace
behind. No wonder then that his after-strug
giles and sorrows remain hidden from the worlds
eye.
One or two incidents Illustrate, as well as sus-
tain, my assertions.
Several years ago u party were visiting an
insane asylum in the vicinity of Washington
The gentleman who was conducting them over
the establishment being called away for few
moments, they were left to await his return.
Within the next room they heard footsteps
pacing continually backward and forward like
those of some chained animal. Now they
sounded with slow, heavy regularity, as if
they were the mechanical action of one who
was plunged in reverie or depressed by sorrow;
now with nervous rapidity, as though an inward
excitement too strong to be contained had sought
this means of relief. 1t broke by fits and starts
from one gait to the other; and between the foot
falls they could hear low moaus scarcely rising
above the breath, but telling an inexpressible
degree of suffering.
At length the walker seemed aware of their
proximity, and coming close up to the door
which separated the two apartments, tapped
gently upon it several times. Then they heard
her voice; for a woman's voice, and very
sweet and heartbroken one, it was. She
said: - Ladies' - ladies - gentlemen - ladies
and gentlemen - mont you do a little
favor for me- Won't you carry letter to my
dear husband, and my little son only SiT gears
old They won't let them come to see me; and
I've been here don't know ho,o long. Now do,
40 be kind, ladies'; I'm sure I've asked you hum
bly,; I'm sure I've been polite TO you. Won't you
give a letter to my husband and my dear little
son only SIR years old Z"
The whole affair was extremely affecting and
when their conductor returned he was at once
besieged with inquiries. "Poor thing" said he
''her husband and son are both dead; but we
cannot make her understand it. He was Gov
ernment clerk, and most estimable man
but his life in the department nourished z
natural tendency to consumption, and wheT
his discharge came it found him utterly un
fitted to make his way in the world. IL wat