Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-16
THE TRAFFIC IN OFFICES.
A True Story, In Which NIahOne-
ism Gets the Best of Civil
Service Reform In the Moral.
Special to the courler.Jonrnnl.

WASHINGTON, May 14.-Here is
little story that is both new and true
w. +. Cameron, Governor ofthe State
of Virginia, by the grace of Malone
and his own t%riggering, called yester.
day upon Secretary Chandler in his
delightful quarters, the Navy De,
partment. Along with him was Gen.
eral Malone, Senator-elec Riddle.
berger, and . Virginia Congressman
Cameron was introduced. The rest is
best told in dialogue form:
ut is a pleasure to meet you Gov
ernor Cameron, and to see in you one
so youthful to look upon."
Thank you, sir. But, by Cd,
I'm not so youthful as | look, with a
cocky swing of the head), | am Gov.
ernor Of the State of Virginia, and as
such also party to a coalition concern
ing which | have somewhat to say"
Go on Governor"
well, sir, my side Of the bargain
has been faithfully carried out, and |
am here to know if the Administra
ton intends to live up to its prom
ises?"
"What is it that you particularly
want, Governor Cameron"
81 want it understood that | am to
have the say in the matter of distrib.
uting Federal patronage in the State
of Virginia, sirl | have done every
thing agreed upon, and there are
districts to carry which the Republi-
cans will need, and this can not be
done without full control ofthe giving
out OF the Offices, both great and
small"
You are right, Governor, but your
Federal places are mostly postofiees
and Mr.. Howe, not the Secretary of
the Navy, has charge of the matter"
Governor Cameron and his party
Immediately retired, and ordered the
driver to 60 to the Postofice Depart
ment, There was no waste Of time in
either compliments OF apologies. On
arriving, Governor Cameron was in
troduced by General Malone, after
which the two Senators we're seated,
and Cameron proceeded to do the
talking. as he had done at the Chan
der conference. Mr.. Howe remarked
in a complimentary way that the Gov.
ernor was very strongly backed by the
gentleman with him. whereupon
Cameron begged him TO stop right
there" and to please understand
that he had no backing, and needed no
backing, but was himself Governor OF
Virginia, and represented that State
and a party that could handle it if the
administration would stand up to its
side o the bargain and give him CON
troll of the Offices"
Mr. Howe remarked: 81 think your
wishes have not been disregarded in
this matter"
wv have had some of the offices it
is true, Mr.. Howe, but We want CON
troll Of all; we want it understood that
the getting of them comes through me
as Governor and representative OF the
administration, so far as the coalition
is concerned in Virginia. The entire
lot OF Offices, great and small, from
tide water to the mountain tops, l
want to handle"
The upshot of the matter was that
Governor Cameron, in the presence Of
General Malone, Mr.. R~iddleberger
and the Representative, was told by
Mr.. Postmaster General Howe that
he should have the desired power of
control, and be given every facility to
swing the administrative arm without
interference. This isa true story, and
what it lacks in point of moral is made
up in political interest.