Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-16
goRCEsTBB
MONDAY. DECEMBER 10. 1sss.
place seekiun M Washin.1on.

place Seeking at Washington.
A dispatch from Washington states that the |
crowd of office seekers, at Washington, was
never greater than at present. We suppose this |
means the crowd of persons seeking elerkships
aud other offices of the same grade, who are
quite willing, never theless, to take something
better, if they can Get it, These people have not
been discouraged by the announcements, that
the president will adhere rigidly to the
new civil service rules, and that not
many changes are likely TO be made. Per-
haps the reporter has allowed himself 10 indulge
in some exaggeration; but the number Of those
who seek such Offices is usually very large, and,
as rule, their competency is by no means
equal to their eagerness. Their claim 70 clerk
ships and the like is generally based on political
services as special frie -ds Of senators and mem
bers of the house; and their bearing is that Of
men who will not and can not be denied,
The clamor and pressure from this source is
felt by members Of congress and can not fail 10
influence their action more OF less, in many cases,
on the question of civil service reform. The
feeling o. many congressman towards this re-
form has not at any time been as cordial as the
ease required, and the vehement demands OF a
crowd OF Especial friends is not likely 10 lessen
opposition TO it. Those who know anything
about the matter understand that the public
service could be made more Efficient ii the men
employed III the executive departments should
invariably be selected on account OF Superior
capacity and character Shrewd business men,
selecting their own agents and defended against
the bother of political influence would
do all the work OF the departments with fewer
employees, less cost, and greater success, than
could be MADE possible under the system which
has prevailed heretofore. The attempt to re-
form the cenSurab'e system should be strongly
supported by popular influence; but II IS an al
tempt made under difficulties, Therefore, II
astonlshes US TO hear Mr. Cresweli talk oil add
ing tens OF thousands OF government employees
to his department. by adding 10 1t the business
Of ielearaphiDg and OF banking. II il were
proper for our government to undertake such
branches of business lwhichit certainly is no.),
a wise head of an important department would
earnestly advise waiting until thoroughrelofm
OF our civil service shall be established Mr..
Creswell's special schemes are not admirable.
Many OF those who seek places at Washing
ton, are totally unht Tor Inc WORK they are So
eager to undertake. They are men who have
failed elsewhere, or men who Lack the habit OF
steady and systematic application to business OF
any kind, or men thoroughly incompetent and
useless, who would have the government offices
used as hospitals for incapabIes. Men of these
classes never scrupie at demanding TO have
places made for them by the removal Of com
petent employees; probably they are incapable
of understanding what the public service
suffers when one OF their applications
is made successful. 1t IS not work they seek,
but place and salary; ana not much satisfactory
work can be expected oil them But the apph'
Giants are not all incompetent although tue m
competent are usually most pressing III thelr
demands. The competency OF an applicant
however, Is not satisfactory reason Tor remoV-
ing another competent man VINO mas learned
me business Oh ms desk ana Goes 1t laithiu'ly;
ana when political lhhuehce Is useu 10 MAKE
such chahses' II becomes lrouoIef o. the civil
service, a curse 10 lhe puphc "eiiare'