The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-08-11
BELLEVUE, La,
THURSDAY, ::::::::::::::::AUGUST i, 1881.


WY ~ DNVW WYNN V8tV0a
There is something really inexpli.
cable in the hunger for Office which
has seized upon q large portion of
the nation. Secretary Blaine says
there are . million applications for
Federal appointments on file in the
Departments at Washington. Those
who are aspirants for city, town, dis
trict, county and parish Offices may
be safely set down at another million.
The total voting population of the
United States is about ten millions,
% that one voter In every Eve is a
known office-seeker. Why should
there be this extraordinary anxiety
to attain TO official position ! The
tenure is short and uncertain, whilst
the pay il not great. It Is true that
the opportunities for stealing are
numerous, bat surely that is not the
reason which prompts men to strug-
gle for place. There may be low
depths Of depravity in human ma.
ture, bat it is incredible that it has
fallen % low in this country that one
man in every i've deliberately sets
out In pursuit Of an opportunity to
become . thief. We are not willing
20 believe that the majority Of Office.
seekers begin with 60 base a motive,
though it must be confessed that
quite q large number Of them end
with il. What, then, il it that in.
flnences two millions Of strong men
TO become beggarly suppliants to be
allowed to feed at the public crib Z
Why do they sacrifice their sturdy
manhood and wrestie and contend
with each other like 20 many hogs,
anxious to get their noses into the
food troughi Al . rule ofice-hold.
ing b neither pro6table nor pleasant.
In many cases It Is not very honora-
bic, Tor the means generally resorted
% for attaining public positions
are belittling and degrading
The sncoessfal ofice-seeker carries
with him constant burdens that
would weigh upon an ordinary sen.
sitive man like nightmare. He
feelsthe pressure Of obligations to
oil who have contributed to his ele-
walton, and they in turn are close at
his heels to levy on him something
in the nature Of compensation for
services rendered. When official
distinction IL conferred on the prin-
ciple Of merit, it brings honor with
Il, provided it 10 . free-will Offering.
But such cases are rare and are grow
ing more infrequent every day. The
same energy with which Offices are
sought applied 10 uloccupations,
would bring . greater pecuniary re.
ward and would not destroy that
sturdy independence which should
Be the proud possession Of every
man. The average oflice-holder at
best occupies IN undesirable, and in
many cases . pitable, condition.
He b subject 70 the undue criticism
and abuse Of these times. He be.
longs too class that is always under |
snspiCion. Then there Is always q |
jealous crowd ct his heels anxious TO-
trip him up in the hope that they |
may get IDS place. II his Office Is |
IN elective one, he strives to retain |
hin popularity By becoming "all |
things 20 al men," Men sacrifice |
lheir honest individuality in order |
b plense those who have votes and |
inansncA and in that way the sum |
totHl Of the thoughtful thorough.
ness q the nation 10 becoming very |
much deprecated. II IL bad enough |
that there should Be one hundred
Thousand ofIiceh0lding sycophants; |
e il far worse that there should be |