The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-03-29
Regular correspondcneel


WASHINGTON, D. c.. March "a, 1881.
By far the larger portion of the crowd who
came here to the Inauguration has departed, but
the business portion Of II remains. and clamors
at the doors of the White House, and at al the
Government Offices, for clerkship In the eye
of the average "ne'er do well young man or
young woman Of the United States there is meth
ing under Heaven 20 dainty sweet a. Govern
ment clerkship, and many Of this class who have
a slight acquaintance with the President or
member Of his Cabinet imagine that, in order to
get the coveted place, there is nothing to do but
TO send up their names, secure an interview, and
and have the situation rendered them. 1t is not
very difficult for Cabinet officer to get rid Of
them, and but for the fact that few of them have
money enough to take themselves or their expe-
rence home, the city would see them no more
But there is another class who come prepared
with papers, memorials, and influential backing,
and the chances are that room will be made for
them by the discharge of competent, experienced
clerks, who have less influence, and nothing to
plead their cause but q good record of faithful
work. No enc is better acquainted with all the
phases of our civil service than the President of
the United States. Nor are the Secretaries of
State and the Treasury wanting in a most thor
ough knowledge of all its ms and outs. 1t would
seem, in country like ours, which has so many
places advantages, and opportunities for the en-
terprising and Industrious, that there would be
less competition for places of this kind. They
would seem TO be anything but desirable. True,
the work is not heavy, and pay is infallible but
the Damocles sword of removal ever hangs over
the occupant of office He cannst, by his utmost
exertion, add dollar to his salary, and he must
always see the incompetent favorites of influen
tial politicians promoted over BIN. His assoc-
ates in office are Of a class from whom he can
form no high estimate of human nature. They
have their places through the doubtful merit OF
relationship TO those in power, or in return for
political services rendered
At present but few minor appointments are
being made, but some changes are inevitable.
The friends Of Cabinet officers and of influential
Senators must have places. Just now it looks as
if Virginia would be a rival Of Ohio in securing
clerkshps at the Capital The Mother of Pres
idents has always, perhaps on account of her
proximity to Washington, had large number o f
her daughters in government offices; but ii is
we'll known that the polite Malone will not
waste his patronage on women, but will place it
where il will do him most good politically.
Perhaps, before this reaches you, his political
ally, Mr. Riddleberger, will be made Sergeant-at-
Arms of the Senate, in which position he will
be the recipient Of rich perquistes and the dis
penser of extensive patronage. Few public men,
it is thought, are in better position to reward
their friends and punish their enemies than Ma
hone, of Virginia.
1t is the opinion of the well-informcd that
Congress will convene in extra session about the
18th of May.