The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-18
Failure of a Scheme Whereby He Hoped to
Retain His Place at the Expense Of an
Honest and Competent Man.
The White House Still Besieged by
Throngs Of Clamorous 06ice-Hunters. :
Russian Overtures to John Roach for Pur-
chase Of the Dispatch-Boat Dolphin
Hazen Reprimanded by the President.
oFFICE-HoLDING sNEAKs.

A Glass OF M~ean-Spirited Hen who Cannot
Be Removed Too Soon.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, April 1z.-There is one class Of
ofice-holders that cannot be removed too soon.
These are the sneaks who by fawning syco-
phancy are endeavoring to curry favor with the
powers that be. The President and his secre-
taries are not disposed to remove men simply
and solely because they hold honest political
opinions which differ from those of the present
officials. If the place of a man is wanted, the
mere fact that he claims to be a Democrat at
heart will have no effect upon the minds Of
those who have control of the lever which re-
moves the obstacles in the path Of his superiors.
Yet there are men in the departmental services
who seem to think they can sneak into favor by
protesting a radical change in their opinions and
belief, first seeded last November ana now in
full bloom. A case in point is a prominent
official in the Treasury. This man has done
everything in his power to make Mr..
Manning believe that he is an advanced
and liberal Democrat. Last summer there was
no more arm believer in the principles and tenets
Of the Republican party than this same man.
His firm convictions Of the infallibility of the
grand old party were so thoroughly grounded
and so deep-seated that his a~dmiring friends
pointed to him with pride, and said: There is
a man who is a Republican from principle. His
faith cannot be shaken. In the event of Demo
cratic success he would never think of becoming
a toady. He would resign at once in order that
the country might drink to the very dregs the
bitter gall and wormwood of Democratic victory
But Cleveland is President and Manning is Sec
rotary Of the Treasury. The Office which this
gentleman holds pays a salary Of $500 per
annum, and there are many applicants for the
place. AS the duties Of the employees
are technical in their character the
Office does not come under the classified list, and
the civil-service rules do not apply. Recently q
West Virginia Democrat looked over the blue
book and found a place in this Office which he
thought would just suit him. He called upon
the official at the head of the bureau and offered
to trade. He agreed to swap the West Virginia
influence to help retain the official in his berth il
he should be given the place he sought. The
offer took the fancy of the chief, and he prom
ised to consider it. This highly moral man, who
was going to resign at the drop of the Democrat
ic hat. considered the offer, and the tempter got
tlC OCos y I'LL. 440 dSICUo w appOAut ~ w cot
Virginian to the place he coveted, even though to
do so he must discharge a thoroughly
competent man who has served faith
fully for ten years. and is absolute
master Of his duties. Tho West virginian was
elated. In fact, he was too much elated, and
that explains the cause Of the failure of the neat
little trade. He went off and told a friend Of his
success. The friend happened to be also an in
innate friend of the 'lamb" to be sacrificed.
The lamb kicked, and reported the scheme with
out delay to the committee appointed to exam
inc into the requirements Of the Treasury SER
ice. The committee reported to Manning, and
the West Virginia man was not appointed. AZ
soon as the facts became known a feeling Of
disgust for that official sprung up among his
clerks and employees, and it is doubtful if there
is in the government service to-day a man who
is so cordially despised by his subordinates as
this high moral officer at 81, 500 q year.