The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-14
A pntrtot Can't Get Office.

surely Pendleton will carry the road across
her county. INVALID.
A Patriot Can't Get Office.
Editors Dispatch: For many years I have
been ambitious to fill some position OF pub
lie trust where the pecuniary compensation
would comport with the dignity Of the sta
ton and be commensurate with my zeal for
the public interest. These patriotic aspira-
tions were, however, repressed until, few
years ago, the domesticity OF quiet home
was invaded and / was dragged forth to
enter the contest for municipal Office.
dotted the overalls OF journeyman
bricklayer aud entered the arena encouraged
by the encomiums Of friends and the bene-
dictions of an intelligent and appreciative
people. should undoubtedly have been
elected had not the inopportune circulation
OF rumor touching my personal pulchrl-
tude or the happening of some other event
caused sudden disaffection in the ranks of
my friends and reduced my supporters to
number corresponding exactly with those
to wEzom had promised positions. in the
event or my election.
While by this defeat was not permitted
to enjoy the fruition Of ms sanguine hopes,
was not utterly discounted. Once en-
barled upon the eddying tidesI nailed my
colors to the mast and Determined IT, nece:-
sary to make myself martyr for the public
veal.
Wife, children. business, were now minor
considerations compared with the honor
and glory Of serving the dear people and
embazoning the cabalistic words " Pu6
Ftnc" upon my family cscutcheon.
With this singleness Of purpose made
the rounds Of all the offices, aud sought po-
sitions under all of my more fortunate
rivals. ss"
They,s with an obtuseness Of intellect
wholly prehensible, failed to appre-
ciate the Importance Of securing at once my
influence and valuable services. The weeks
grew into months, the months into years,
and l still waited, expecting, believing,
hoping that some ray would lllumine their
minds and enable them to see their duty to
themselves and the public. Two, years
rolled round, another election was held, the
old officers went out, Others took their
places, and again went the monotonous
round. But the new were less apprcciative
than the old, and my claims were still ig-
nored. I demanded a place in oonei derntfon
OF my party services, reasoned with them
upon the high grounds OF public policy. I
begged them from motives OF private
character. but all without avail, and even
the loan Of quarter was oftentimes denied
me by those for whom I had worked SO
hard and sacrificed so much. &
3 I, now became fully satisfied that these
nliscreants were unworthy OF my attcn-
tions, and turned my efforts in another
direction.
: The police force seemed to offer 4 sure
hayen for MY ssorm.tossed bark-a certain
asvluni for the office-hunter. weary, latter.
ed, and torn-end for that harbor now set
my sails.
This was my City of Refuge-this hope
could not fail mex knew all tho members
of the old Board OF Police. 1 had attended
school with Anthony, had played marbles
With Joe, and the Judge had been born and
raised in the same county with my wife's
Were, however, required merely as matter
Of form. The flattering testimonials re-
ceiyed from many OF the most prominent
Of our citizens caused me to hesitate from
fear that had made mistake in offering
myself rs candidate FOR the humble posi-.
/ ton OF policeman instead OF the mayoralty,
or some other Office OF equal dignity. ATm-
ed with my credentials, called upon my
friends, the members Of the Board. Two
votes were alone necessary to an election.
but to make assurance doubly sure OBJ
tnined the promise from all three that they
| wouldyote for me--or do what they could,
which was the same thing. "A vacancy oc.
CURED, an election was held, but by sonic
uuaccountable mathematical gymnastics a
man who, in the nature OF things, could
not have received any votes, was elected
over me, when-I had three votes to start
With y rs
The day following I demanded an ex-
plahation from my friends and sought-to
fix the liability upon some one. but they all
with one accord pleaded the inviolable Sc
crecv Of their proceedings as an excuse Tor
not calculating the problem. Several sue.
cesMye trial, were attended with the same
result. =
| At length new board was organized.
Seven wise men; freefrom political bias, were
ground out of the circumlocution mill and
| installed as "a coordinate body, free and In
DEPENDENT and invested with supreme
control OF the force. A clean sweep IRON
| this new broom revived my. hopes. Strict
discipline and wintry winds did not deter
nc nor chill my ardor. Two-fftY per day
well, it would do-and another police bal
would supply the funds for the purchase OF
an overcoat to turn the chilling blasts.
renewed my application, obtained testimo
nials from my grocer and all those to whom
I was indebted, and called upon the sever
yirtuous citizens who had been chosen o:
the dispensers OF this modlcum OF P. P
(publc pap). =.
pleaded nay past services, my long sciti
1 zenship. the extended line Of noble an
cestry, the wants OF wife and seven Chill
dren (all infants OF tender years., an ole
mother and sick aunt-all dependent upor
/ mo for n s,rnnort Many OF the member
OF the Board were affected even to tears.
+ Encouraged by: this reception made
tsecond round. II Mr.. Al. was not in the city
and would not return until the day OF elec
Ition bur the spectreof q bald head, so lik
his own, raised above the woodshed IN tn
\ back yard, flied me with superstitious fore
4 Holdings. Mr. b. was very sick, as was eTl
\ Edenced by the closed blinds; but TWO lumi
j,nous orbs peered through the interstice
lthereof. Mr. g., polite but Every busy
told me / stood not the ghost OF chance
/ as mine was a." new application" althoug
lit had been on file FIVE years 0
more. Mr. D. wrote my name i
il little green book and promise
Ito give It his attention. Mine was th
q ninety. seventh name on his list, as q casul
linspection OF the book, when his back W.
/ turned, showed me. Mr. +. ran his finger
j through bis caststeel locks and remnrke
II TINT he .sattended IS to Official duties on
s when eoncesEed ID official c0nclave.O ~
- a. was not in bis office, 50 bis clerk sal