Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-29
WHAT ARg WE HERE FOR p"

and Just now it Is conceded that the
prospects are rather blue.
WHAT ARE WE HERE FOR"
The spoils system which has devel-
oped as the ruling passion OF the pres
ent administration, is significantly asso-
ciated with two memorable incilents OF
the Caicago Convention.
On the ives. side OF the convention
hail there were two delegations sitting
in close proximity, the one under the
banner OF Pennsylvania and the other
under the banner Of Texas. A delegate
from the latter State propounded a
question to the convention which, by
singular coincidence, has been answered
in the political fortunes OF delegate
from the latter State, and in such man
ner, As to give O kind OF practical Illus
tration of the propriety of the inquiry
made by the delegate from Texas as de-
veloped in the policy Of the GARFIELD
administration.
During one OF the desultory debates
in theconyentlon, relating, II We remem-
Der correctly, TO the policy and purposes
which should govern the body, and in
which debate pious delegate had taken
occasion to rebuke any manifestation OF
concern about the spOils, or any hint
that the assembling OF the convention
was not for purely benevolent and pa
triotic purposes, without regard to any
personal consideration or desire on the
part OF any one to secure place or official
distinction, the righteous indignation OF
the aforesaid delegate from Texas SEEM
ell to have been aroused by such SELF
sacrificing sentiments, and mounting
upon q bench, with his long, Ratchet
face liyid with earnestness, and his long
gray hair streaming in an unkempt con-
dition over his shoulders, he screamed
ont: "MR. PRESIDENT, Mn. PRESIDENT,
WHAT ARE WE HIRE FOR, IL NOT TO GET
TUE OFFICES
The other incident to which We refer,
was furnished by 4 member OF the dele
CATION from Pennsylvania, Mr.. GRIER.
Asths monotonous roll call proceeded
from day to day. our recollection is, tina:
the Pennsylvania delegation generally
voted solid with the single exception Of
this delegate, GRIEF. This Mr.. GRIER
was possessed OF a persistent purpose to
cast zone vote for GARFIELD." 1t was
the only vote which Mr.. GARFIELD hsd
in that convention during the first days
OF the balloting. Ii Gid no: attract much
attention at first, but the persistent
fidelity OF this Pennsylvania delegate to
GARFIELD became at last, a matter OF at.
tention. The convention smiled, as the
zone vote for GARFISLD" continued to
be announced, and GARFIELD was seen
to cast a beniguant, appreciatiye glance
toward the faithful delegate from the
Keystone State.
1t is not necessary for Us to add that
subsequent developments showed that
Delegate GRIxG was large majority in
that Convention.
But the fact which we seek to point
out is the significant relationship be-
tween that one vote for GARFIELD in
the Chicago Convention and the subse-
quent appointment Of GRIEk to the Office |
of Third Assistant Postmaster General.
1t is so significant as an illustration Of
the spoils policy Of the GARFIELD adj
ministratiOu that il is hardly worth the
while to multiply illustrations. The
forest shows the way OF the wind, but a |
straw shows it more quickly and quite
as accurately. The inquiry Of the dele
gate from Texas needs no further an-
swer. Truly, "whst are We here for, if
not 10 get the otices?" u