West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-04-03
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
TITS Xiad of People who nm clerical POSI-
Uous at Washington,

WIN the exception OF n few ancient
servants who have life leases upon their
positions, and perhaps half dozen
trained experts in special branches.
every ono of the clerks. oor-kecpcrs.
messengers, etc, is the retainer of some
Senator or member Deriving his ap.
pointmcut nomiuallv from the Official
at the head of his department. it is real
ly tho result of trade between ~uch
official and the member whose protege
the appoiutec is. The member has
voted tor the official in the caucus i'm
consideration of being permitted to die.
tate certain appointments, and I'm this
manner he pays oil sOmo of the obliwa-
tionS incurred during his canvass.
Every State in the Union thus has its
representatives In the Congressional
retinuc, most Of them being bright.
kecn-witted, active young politicians
who are exceedingly useful personages
at ward meetings, conventions and
elections at their own homes. Strict
devotion TO the interests of their Con
grcsslonal patrons is cNacted of them.
and woe TO the clerk or messenger who
fails to render the full measure of loyal
service which Is demanded During the
NrphE ANooANhhA NWNuNlblAN lllNN return
TO their homes and 20 up and down
their district sounding tho praises
OF the sitting member telling what "A
great man he is at Washington.
and showing how the interests oil the
country will suffer if he is not re-clcct-
ed. Altogether, the Congressional en-
ployes are u very nimblo lot of politi-
clans, and quito number of full
tlcdged statesmen have been graduated
from their ranks. Senator German. of
Maryland, began life as page i'm the
body of which he is now n member:
and there are, perhaps, score of sit
ting congressman who served the
House I'm their younger days rs clcrks,
messengers or pages. But the great
majority of these Congressional attaches
never como to much. Their environ
mcnt at Washington is not conducive
to industry, independence, or nmbi-
ton. The duties which they perform
are, FOR the most part, purely mcchun.
ical and "A few years of routine work
at the capital reduces them to the
level of mere machines. With un-
bounded opportunities To familiarize
themselves with the practical opera
tions OF the Government, and to master
the details of legislative work. few inn
prove them. Many of them come 20
the capital fresh from the country,
with little or no knowledge OF the
world, and speedily fall victims to- the
manifold temptations Of Washington
life. Those who escape these porils
and continue TO retain their places for
a series of years are prone to toadyism
and sycophancy. Depending upon
favor for their appointment and reten-
ton in office. they make haste 20 pay
homage To the rising sun, and have
very little time or attention to waste
upon him whose race is run.
heard member the other day Bit
terly rcprOaching some OF the laclleys
about the hall OF the House for their
neglect Of him. "1hey all know /
haven't been reelected, he explained
10 me- land it i, all that / can do TO
get any service out OF them. The nom
ber who sits noXt 10 me has been nc.
turned, and II he makes the slightest
signal half dozen pages will ny
( toward him with the utmost alacritv.
/ frequently beat my hands together
until they arc almost blistcrd without
attracting their attention. and whom I
do succeed they move toward me as
leisurcly as YOU please, and cN-
ccute my orders with display OF con-
descension that would bc amusing II
it were not so annoying.
Perhaps you have incurred their
displeasure In some way ! suggested,
'and their neglect of YOU is not due to
your defeat
"NO, indeed was the reply. "Bc
fore went home last spring, all the
clerks, messengers and pages were most
ugafHHntfa ia fItnft.
] came back in December, after getting
left at tho election. I found that thew
regarded me as a person OF very little
Importance. and since that time have
been inclined 10 look upon me i'm ths
light Of an intruder. It is so with all
the members who have failed Of rc.
election. They are all making com
plants, and ] guess they have reason
10. ] tell you that these fellows who
hang about the Capitol picking up tho
crumbs that fall from the Congressional
table have q keen eye for the main
chance, and no use whatever for q
statesman whose days Of official life are
numbered
was relating this conversation u few
moments later 10 q prominent member
who has served several terms. aud who
appears TO have a "-urc thing on his
seat for all time 90 come. We'll ' he
said, II suppose the members who arc
not coming back have some reason lo
complain Of many of the House en-.
ployes. Never having been defeated
myself, / have bad no experience OF
the kind you mention, but have heard
murmurs from defeated colleagues after
every COugrc sioual election since /
have been at Washington and no doubt
there was some foundation for them.
Perhaps my turn to bc snubbod by the
boys will como after % while"
A little observation about the capital
has shown me that the Congressman
who is 70 retire 10 private lifc on thc
9TH Of March is in truth vastly less
important parsonage than the one who
is booked for auothcrto HayingnO
more patronage 60 bestOw and few
favOrs 20 grant. he is given the oo-by
By many VINO have faWncd upon him
unremittingly in tho past But such is
life IT you want 20 study human
nature como fo Congress for 20 term or
two oud then permit Yourself tO bo de-
icaIcd for reelection The last three
or four months of vOur Congressional
service win give YOU u clearer in sight Iu-
Co fhe ioihIe- au weaknesses of your fell
low-crcatTc- than you can gain iu any
other way " UuehtpgiOH Cor Chic0g0
Times