New-York tribune., 1881-12-15
THE sPOTLs SYSTEM ILLUSTRATED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRtBUEE.l


WASHINGTON Dec. 14.-Repubhcan members OF
the House OF Representatives are greatly exercise"
in mind these days about two matters: hrst'
whether they will secure desirable and satisfactory
committee assignments and second, whether they
will he fairly" treated in the distribution OF the
House patronage" Regarding the patronage there
has already been considerable Grumbling on the
part of some of the Representatives, who 1eel thaU
"the claims of their respective States nave hot
received proper consideration; and their discomfort
has been vsihly aggravated by the perseveTlng not
to say pertinaciOus opportunities OF such OF their
constituents as are anxious TO serve their country
as dOorkeepers, messen gers, or IN still humber
capacity
The army of applicants is neither so large nor so
hungry as the horde which gathered in Washington
six years ago. when for the first time since the out
break of the Rebellion, the Democratic party had
patronage at the Capital TO beStow. That was in
deed hungry multitude. and the " five lOaves and
two fishes which the Democrats had to Otier would
not without a miracle, satisfy its ravenous appe-
tite. But the case bad enough now Yesterday
while Senator Pendeton making his speech IN
favor of Civil Service reform, Western Senator
within sound of his voice related to TRIBUNE cor
respondent the fouowing incident:
A few davs ago my door bell rang. and a servant
brought in well grown lad whom at once recog-
nized as a former page in state Legislature.
He told me that he had come to Washington to try
and get "A place as messenger in the Capitol. said
to him that there was not one chance in a thousand
of his obt?ining that or any other place, and that
the best thing he could do 10 90 straight back
home He is a bright. smart boy tull of ambition,
and believe about the sole support of bis mother
and her two children who are younger than he. lie
seemed completely broken down by what said to
him. and sat there a long time with the tears rolling
down his checks | felt very sorry for him, and
asked him If he had money enough to pay his way
back home. lie replied that he had, and went
away The other day he came back again and said
that he had heard from his mother and learned that
if he were back at home he could get employment
in a wholesale house but said he have no
money left to pay my expenses, asked hun now
much it would cost and he said that his railroad
ticket would cost Sl7. | gave HIM tnat ana enough
more to Keep hIm in food during the Journey and
he went OIL TO take the first train, the happlCst
mortal | have seen for "A long time.
But this system is all wrong" continued the
Senator thOughtiully. i have paid out IN money
since last March more than the amount OF my sal
ary for two months to relieve cases of distress due
to this practice of making Government appointments
depend upon political favor and influence. do not
care for the money for am able to lose il but the
great majority of Congressman and Senators are
poor men comparatively. and cannot stand such
drain upon their income. 1t Is not strange then that
they, in order to relieve themselves OF burden
saddle it, if they can, upon the Government 10 the
detrlnent, doubt of the public service III many
instances"