Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-12
u EMPHIS APPEAL


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The American press cannot be more pro-
ftably employed than in warning the young
men Of the country Of the rocks on which
so many have been wrecked. A few weeks
aince the APPEAL showed that the American
people were fast becoming nation Ct Office
seekers, and that the lust for Office was a
national curse. In view of recent develop
ments, this warning cannot be too often re-
peated. Indeed, the newspapers should
never weary in warning upon g national evil
which is bringing untold caamities upon
the country. We see it stated that six ex-
members Of Congress pslitiOned for The
place made vacant BY the resignation Of
Commissioner Raum, within three hours
alter the resignation was accepted, and that
the number has since been increased to several
hundred, most of the applicants being
chronic ofice.seekeIs or impecuniols ex-
members Of Congress. What sad COM
m=ntsry on the mania for Office and Office
holding "a 4 means for making competency
for cd age. Recent remarks made hy the
new insurance commissioner Ct New York
to a reporter Of the Albany Express deserve
the widest publicity. He was asked his
opinion OF the business Of Office holding AID
ofice-seeking, as follows: SUPPOSE l have
friend or relative Just from college, and
mad the power Of putting him in political
Office as department clerk at a salsry of $500
year, when the best c. ld Do for him
outside would be $500, should Re accept the
political officer" The reply was prompt
that the young man should accept the latter
or seek employment as a farm.laborer. The
attention Of the insurance commissiouer was
then called TO his own case IS being one OF
success in holding political office ever since
reaching maturity. He replied:
Ihave been fDTtunate, have had opportunities,
and am, therefore, an exceptional case. But look
about During the thirteen years have been IN
ohHe 1000 different young men nave WORKED IN the
departments andin the Legislature with me. How
many have succeededY You can count them on
the fingers OF one hand. Jney become Indifferent
and lazy, acquire extravagAnt habits, and lose
ambition. When they are st adIiit by the changes
in politics, they unsuied IJr business eud are
in many cases human wrecks. he majority nave
left town in debt, and, when married, in a score
Cf instances had TO borrow money to get their
families away. No, no, l would rather a son OF
mine would carry bricks tnan accept PrecaIlouS
political clefkship. And YET 20 ltical lie for the
A taste Of office almost invariably be-
comes chronic, and then the victim is an
object of pity. He is fl for nothing else
but ofice-holding, and life becomes 4 scramble
for Office. The struggle for place is humili-
atipg. There is no position in life so pain
full a. that OF suspense, and the ofiice-seeker
in Office is uneasy as the fu tive who has
So L., -
lose his place. He lives in a constant dread
that q political revulson will set him adrift
and throw him upon the world dependent on
his own resources. When turned out of
Office dependent upon the csprices Of tickle
public, he ekes out a pTecarious existence
waiting for somethin" % turn M and when
a vacancy occurs he joins iu the general
scramble. Once an oficeEolder he is always
an office-seeker. Deprived OF one position
he seeks another, displaying an energy which
if directed in other Oh sanels would command
success and independence. And the worst Of
all, the mania for Office converts men into
hypocrites. Most of the office.seekers are
ready to sell their principles for place. So
soon as the Democrats ascend to power on
the 4th Of March, 1885, it will be shown
by certificates that III, Republicans
have fer twenty years given employ
ment 10 10000 Democrats, who, although
pretending to be Republicans, have been
spies IN the house of the enemy. Tue party
in power always comm snds the support of
the chronic ofice-seeker. His fidelity wavers
with the strength of the party that gives h m
employment. He is noisy on the strong side,
and finally, when his party is driven from
power, ne proves that he contributed TO the
result. The mania for office is like The APP
petite for strong drink, which men cannot
control even when thsy know that it is unfit
ting them for either the duties or the pleas.
ures Of life. Corrupt men in Congress- have
made large fortunes. But neither fame nor
fortune are made by the ordinary off &C.
holder. The emolumeuls afford only sosnty
subsistence. Thsrr -rs no aooretions, no OPP
portunity for gains there are 10 ordinary
busingss transactions. Ia this county, with
all its opportunities, aud all the wealth and
houors within the grasp Of the brave young
men of America, il is strange that there
should be such thirst for offies. The scram'
be Tor Office is something which every parent
should impress upon his child to avoid.