River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-01-18
OFFICE-SEEKING.
The Persistence of the Man Who
Wants to Serve His Native Land.

Congressman HIT, of Illinois, former
ly assistant secretary of state, tells sto-
ry illustrative of the opportunities of of
fce-hunters and the difficulties of dis
elimination. 1t was told during the
senate debate on civil service reform,
and it is pertinent thereto. Among the
crowds which thronged the ante-rooms
of the state department seeking for con-
sulship at the beginning of General Gar
fields administration there came man
ofmodest, patient demeanor, who hailed
from Arkansas. He aspired 70 be
counsel at some unimportant point, and
had secured the Endorsement ola num-
Der of congressman, who vouched for
the excellence of his record as a soldier.
The case was one which appealed to the
sympathies of the assistant secretary,
before whom the matter came primarily
for decision. He was, however, unable
to take action for several weeks. The
man was daily visitor at the depart
ment, and as it seemed to the kind-heart-
ed official, was growing seedier and
eaner as the weeks passed By. Toward
the end of May. as the man entered the
office one day, Mr.. Hit said:
"You have been here long time,
have you not?'
The man hung his head and meekly
admitted that he had.
''Now tell me truly" said the assist
ant secretary, "hayen't You been mere
since the 4th of March seeking this Of
fice?'
The applicant blushed, and after
moments hesitation admitted that he
had been in Washington since the in
auguration of the new administration.
Have you a wiie?"
eyes"
"And you have her here, too, have
you not?"
The answer was whisper in the af-
! frmative.
"And have you children?"
eyes, sir"
GLOW many?"
"Four."
"And you have ha them here all this
! time, too-wife and children-have you
not?"
Tears choked the voice of the poor man
as he verified the Assistant Secretary's
suspicious.
"Well, now" said Mr.. Hit, his SYM
pathies for the misguided fellow over
| coming his customary official reserve,
81 will make youa promise which have
made to no other applicant; but on one
condition. If you will take your wife
and children and start for home to-mor-
row | will make your case a special one,
and | will see the President personally
about it during the week"
The applicant heaved asigh, reflected
moment, and, with a checking voice,
asked if lie might not return the next
| day.
"No, ''said the assistant secretary "you
have been here too long already. l will
| do as l have said but only on the con-
dition that you go to your home to NOR
| row."
The applicant again reflected, and
pleadniely asked to be allowed to come
| once more.
''No, SIR" said the official, ''you have
your late in your hands. Go home, or
| do nothing in your case"
| The man turned slowly on his heel,
! heaved a sigh, and, with his hands on
| the door knob. said he would think of
| it. Just at thai moment the door was
| pulled open fro n without, and local
| reporter entered. The reporter and
the Office seeker saluted each other ia
miliarly with ''Hello, Bob" How are
| you Tom?" as the one passed in and the
other went out.
"What," queried the assistant secreta-
ry,addressing the reporter, "doyou know
that man from Arkansas"
MAN from Arkansas" repeated the
repoi ter with an infection indicating
| surprise and amusement. "He's no
| man from Arkansas. He's clerk in
| the pension office. His wife keeps a
boarding house on f. street. I've
known 'em for eleven years. Used to
| board with 'em."