National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-10-15
A Model Omcc.seelsing Rcformer.

The good people of Baltimore are in
structed from day to day, thu ough the
columns of the american newspaper, by
Charles c. Fulton. He is as just a man rs
ever COPIED with bad stomach or an I'M
interrupted series of disappointments in
political love. He is great leader of
reform. But he is not so much the lion
that roareth in that behalf as he is the
whangdoodle that mourneth for its first
born. He is scoflcr at Office and at
ofIice-seekers Show him man who
wants an Office, and that man dies upon
his pens sharp point.
Butitis one thing to deprecate the greed
of ofice-seeking in others and quite an
other thing to chasten and subdue ones
own evil inclinings in that regard. Fulton,
like others of his class, finds it easier to
confess other peoples sins than to be sim
less himself. What some people have to
aid them in living good lives is the lack OF
temptation. Sin cannot be committed
without opportunity. We can imagine
an old prude surrendering uncondition-
ally to the first and only man who ever
made an advance, and we can imagine an
| old Reformer like Fulton eagerly grasp
ing an Office if any should ever be offered
him. But who shall describe the pangs
of the prude who makes the first
advance and is repealed, and who can
ever know the feelings of Fulton at seek
ing an office without finding it? Fulton
has had such an experience. He thought
the time had come when he could be
ruined along with the rest of those who
get an office. He shot his loving glances
over at the Postmaster-General. He felt
sure he could aid that worthy in the hunt
for fame. And so believing, he wrote the
following begging letter. Mark its heroic
key, changing from that to the minor
strain inspired by long neglect of never
having had an Office and then the gloria
in which he lauds himself. 1t is ex-
quisite. We give it verbatim
| [Copy.l
OFFICE OF THE BALTIMORE AMERICAN,
| Established In 1873.
| EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT,
| BALTIMORE, March II. 1884,
| Postmaster General JAMES:
| MY DEAR SIR: In conversation with Mr. Blaine,
| q few days ago, told him, what have for twelve
years insisted upon, that ut time In the history
of the Government has there been such organized
| corruption In any Department as has existed in
that over which you have fortunately been called
to preside. Eight years ago told General Grant
this, and four years since told President Hayes
that by rendering the Department practically
headless he had unntentionally sustained the
| corruption ring. One year ago. In conversation
with Mr.. Sherman, | pointed out to him
the real condition Of affairs, In which he seemed
TO agree with me. but was powerless TO correct It,
Mr.. Maynard was not sharp enough to penetrate
the mystery In the short time he was there. sur.
| rounded as he was by those who were interested
in binding him. Although have been active In
politics for thirty ycars-as chairman Of State
Central Committee, for twelve years q member oil
the National Committee, delegate to four ma
tional conventions, aud fortwenty seven years the
editor of the American, the leading Republican
paper of the State. have never held Office. Like
Yourself / commenced life as u journcymau
printer, and my energy and business capacity ma!
be Judged from the fact that was at one time
iouneyman compostor In the office of which AN
now sole editor aud proprietor Believing tina
you have serious task before you,
have n strong desire and ambition +
help YOU accomplish it, and knowing tina
my selection as your first assistant would be
more serious blow TO the real heads of this cor
| rupUOn lHhn lHul VI hlluost any otueI IuaH WIN
could be named, am willing TO make the per-
sonal sacrifice It would be to mo to accept 1t /
rendered to me, Mr., Blaine knows me we'll and
have no doubt will give you every assurance tina
have the capacity Integrity and nerve for the
important work you have in hand, and that an
governed entirely by an ambition to help yol
make your administration grand success, Be
lieying that this can be done better by practica
business man, to whom the emoluments are o
little importance, than by professional politician
! place my name aud services at your disposal
Yours truly,
lsignedl CHARLES c. FULTON.
Can anything be more touching
Here was good man trying to get
chance to serve his Government (salar
not so much an object as good home
, and going about for eight years in searcl
of q single office. 70 that wicked ma