New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-16

The Hon. WILLIAM d. KELLEY, having served
bis Philadelphia constituents with eminent
ability and efficiency through four terms in Con-
gress, and having been triumphantly chosen to
the fifth, which he is now filling, recently in
timated q wish not TO be again candidate.
HereupOn his constituents in thousands adj
dress him, insisting that he must reconsider
and agree to serve longer To this appeal, Mr..
Kelley responds, conserving to serve If that be
generally deemed essential, but most properly
adding:
MY dear srs, permit me to remind you that since my
first election to Congress 1880 the population OF Phil
adelpha has increased less than sixty per cent and
that OF the Iyth District has moro than doubled Ny
correspondence and general duties have thus been
greatly increased or this do not complain. 1t is
natural incident OF the office but, meanwhile, my con-
stuents and to considerable extent, the people OF the
city at large have superadded to the duties OF repre-
sentative the impossible OF finding places for all IN
employed people OF both sexes known to them, ana pro-
motion for all ambitious disconnected employees OF the
Government. There was much Of this during the war.
but the then needed the service of every
abe.boded man in some department, and 1t was
quite possible that might serve 1t and
tho applicant both, by giving him note TO
the chief OF Government establishment But
such is not thecase now; and the practice Of sending
people their Congressional representative Tor employ
ment has become so common TO be insuterabe. To
the fifty or goodhearted people who at their con
venience, each during the day, IS matter
OF small concern; but to the unhappy being upon whom
they concentrate the next day, and who, as has often
been my case would gladly find work for some worthy
and suffering soldier whose had come under his own
observation but knows where to look for it, is more
matter; and the wrong essened by the dis.
covery that the bearer has been assured by the respect
able writer that from the member will certainly
get him work and wages without delay.
To such extent has this practice been carried re-
Gently, that it precludes the possibility OF social inter
course correspondence study in home but annoy
ing as this may be to the Representative that is the least
Of it, for is. in almost every positive wrong to
the people upon whom the practice is INDUCED. Assur
that the Representative can procure employment
given by persons in whose word they have implicit faith
inspire hopes that cannot be fulned, and not untre
queny q confidence that leads to restitution. Days ana
weeks are sometimes lost pursuit Of the man whose
ma gca power II is believed Will secure them employ
ment and the bitterness OF disappointment that over
takes many OF them when they discover how their friends
have deuded them, painful to observe, and an I'M
willing longer to DO party 10 such practice IT, there
fore the acceptance Of denomination Is 10 be under
stood a. implying willn part to be longer
regarded as a general employment agent, must beg
leave TO decline the honor. grateful rs would be to re-
ceve it freed from this condition. ana rendered III 50
complimentary manner