Connecticut western news., 1881-12-21
DEPARTMENTAL LIFE.
How the Employees of the Govern
 ment in Washington Live.


 Does anybody outside of Washing ton have any idea of what life in gov ernment department is says Wash ington correspondent. In the first place there is the scramble for an ap- pointment, the weary waiting, and the hope deferred day after day the rush. ing around after influential friends to urge the claim and the peculiar fitness of the applicant for the place desired, and after innumerable visits or letters to the head of the department, the as- signment to duty. All this precedes the entrance upon official life, whether in the capacity of copyist, first, second or third class clerk. Then follow the long, weary days sitting at desk try ing to do something one has never tried to do before. To become an object to be stared at and whispered about and criticized by the older clerks in the office, who are always curious to know what kind of hand he or she writes, what State they hail fir om, and what roll they are on. The days, weeks and months pass on. and the new conner, if at all bright and capable, begins to be- come familiar with the work before him and to feel pretty we'll acquainted with his fellow clerks, and here comes the most trying part of official life. No one, except those who have to, know what it is to be shut up in room with the same people seven hours six days every l week.
 People from as many different parts of the country as there are individuals, and with quite as many different opin- ions. No two of them with the same religious belief !; some highly cultured aud some without any culture at all. ] The majority of them so pufed up with their own importance as to imagine that the wheels of the government would i'm mediately stand still if by chance they should die or resign or be dismissed. Conversation never lags for want of a subject. It is enough to set sane per- son insane to hear the various topics introduced and discussed in the course of the day, and also to hear the differ ent hobbies ventilated. Almost every man has hobby, whatever his position in life, but it does seem as if those of the government clerk have no equal outside. The financial schemes intro duced from time to time are really won- derful. It is the sleeping and waking dream of the average clerk to become rich, or at least independent enough to resign; aud yet he never for moment imagines that this is to be attained by self-denial, economy or small savings. Oh, no! Some lucky investment in a lottery ticket is to draw the capital prize, or good speculation is to sur prise him, or rise in mining stocks is to make him suddenly millionaire. It is remarkable how the ideas of clerk change and enlarge after few years residence in Washington. Away off in his country home one good suit of clothes was made to do service for more than one season, and an interesting book or an agreeable companion was sufficient entertainment for his evenings. But after sojourn here in government employ he must have 8 new suit oi clothes for every change of season, a new necktie to match each suit, and gloves to match the necktie, and cane to match the gloves, and scarfpin to match the cane, and a hat to match l Ehnn all