The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-02-06
Thc scramble for Office unGer Grnnt.

There are limitations thatthe Scram-
BILE for Office under the incoming ad-
ministration has begun. Aspirants are
said to be bestirring themselves. We
read that members of Congress are be-
ing importuned for their influence with
the coming man. The question how
over Is not settled clearly, even in
their own minds, whether Congress
men nre going TO have that old fashion
ell influence in parcelling out the OIL
COS that has hitherto been customary,
The New York Times suggests doubt
on this point. 1t is possible that Grant,
representing as he does to a certain ex-
tent new era, may inaugurate a re-
form in the matter of dispensing his
patronage, by refusing to Congressman
the privilege hitherto enjoyed of re-
commencing to executive favor candi-
dates for position.
We doubt, however, whether there Is
much in the intimations made by the
Times. No doubt Grant would like to
reform The civil service in variety of
ways, the manner of appointments
among the rest, il he knew how to go
about it. But until we get something
like Congressman Jencks' bill passed
into n law we SEQ very little prospect for
u betterment of the old plan. The
grent need of the country is to be
delivered by some such agency as
that bill from the curse of Office
hunting, but until men come to be ap.
pointed because of their merits and by
virtue of the experience and fitness
they have acquired, we must bear, SUI
fer ard groan under the opportunities
of the ofIice-seeking horde.
Poor Grant, like all his predecessors,
is doomed to have his ears and his pm
thence assailed day and night for
months to como by congressional de-
mands for places within his gift. 1t
must be so, for of course he cannot
know for himself whom he should ap-
point to office. He will never have
time 10 wade through the tons of petit
tions that will be forwarded to Wash
InEton. Such drudgery would soon
kill him of. And, beside, if he read
them all, he would TO nearly as much
in the dark as ever. Petitions amount
to very little now a-days as indicating
the propriety ofan appointment to office.
Any body can get almost any amount
OF signatures TO petition. Hardly
any body thinks any more of refusing
his name. Indeed, it is almost consid-
cred churlish and mean 10 refuse to
sign any body's petition for any object
whatsoever. To such an extent has the
office seeking business; demoralized
public sentiment that mans standing
may be injuriously affected by daring
to indulge his conscientious scruples in
the matter of attesting TO statements
whereof he knows very little, perhaps
nothing at all.
To such a length has the petition
business been carried that persons have
been known to sign them and at the
same time by subsequent statements
seek to coun;eract the influence
OF their own names. This is
certainly very humiliating
condition of things, but it is one that
exists, as every body knows. And the
worst feature is that we see no remedy
for it, unless, indeed, the evil shall at
length grow to such magnitude as to
defeat itself. The time may come, and
it seems as if it ought to be near at
hand, when taking round petition for
an Office will become such discredit to
man that he will hesitate Before under
taking it. This may possibly come to
be the case after while, but for the pres
ent we apprehend that both Congress
men and others in authority have got
to pay the penalty of their own prefer
ment by encouraging, endorsing and
presenting these sham certificates of
character known as petitions.