Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-19
THE SCRAMBLE FOR OFFICE.
How the VictOrs SignaIize Their
Return to Power.
Washington Post.

Warrington Post.l
It seems very funny and no mis-
take. II is only a few weeks since the
Republican papers of the country,
from the New York Tribune down to
the backwoods organs, were black in
the face, so to speak, over the "mob"
Of Democratic Office seekers for the
few places in the House of Repre-
seutatives. The Democracy had been
cold and hungry a long time so far as
patronage about the House of Repre-
sentatives was concerned. And so
when the Democratic party re-
turned to power after many years Of
wandering in the desert,
its members very naturally
looked after the milk and honey on
which the Republican oficeholders
have been RECALLING themselves for 10,
these many years. And now the Re-
publicans, thanks to a hybrid comb
nation of Republicans, Readjusters
and Greenbaekers, resume the reins,
and for two years at least, will run
the machine. How thickly the old
crowd Of Republican oficeholders at
the commencement OF the Forty
fourth Congress do swarm around the
corridors and invest the lobby Of the
House. All are there except those
who are dead. The life Of the clerk
is made miserable by the pleading of
the old veterans for reinstatement.
The doorkeeper has sought personal
safety in fight. The postmaster is
down with a chill, while the Ser
geant at Arms escapes importantly
only because be has no patronage to
dispense. The only official Of the
House who enjoys a good square meal
at this present meeting is the Chap
lain, and only his years protect him
from the charge Of being in the Con-
federate army. So promiscuous is this
scramble that State delegations Of
Senators and Representatives have
held grave meetings to parcel out
these places to their delegations and
lay claims to their portion. The Ohio
delegation have, as usual, been fore
most in this scramble, emboldened, no
doubt, by the success of an Ohio man
in securing an election as Speaker.
Other delegations are discussing the
necessity aud propriety OF
calling meetings at once and
insisting upon their pro rata
recognition. Ex- Members Of Con-
gress are among the applicants for the
positions Of opening the door for the
living specimen of Congressman.
Colonies and Majors and Captains,
who did honorable service in the
army, are willing to parade the halls
of the Capitol in some occupation
which, in the service Of private in
dividuals, would be considered me-
NAL. Editors of country newspapers
have come to Washington, and will
spend their money in hotels for
weeks in q boOtless attempt to secure
some place Of the most Insignificant
order that they may bask in the smile
of greatness and draw the emoluments
of a place in the folding room. In
brief, it is one wild scramble, not one
whit above that which is seen at every
State Legislature at every session.
1t is gratifying to know that all the
ofice-seeking is not monopolized b.
the awful, hungry Democrats. 1t is
refreshing to know that even patriot:
of whom the Republicans claim an ex-
elusively patent right, are not above
accepting a place on the rolls of Con
gress, and that no danger exists that
the national %spitoon will be neglected
because no Republicans can be found
to disinfect it.
In this connection, a prominent
clerk on the House roll said yesterday.
"All Of us will be bounced by the 18th
instant; it will be a clean sweep
doubt if even the half dozen legless
and armless old soldiers on the roll
will be retained. The Democratic
clerk is doomed for immediate decap-
J i~tation. You never saw such a scram-
BILE for place-seventy-fve for each
position is a low estimate"