Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-04-09
THE OFFICE SEEKER.
An Amuseing Sketch of this Interest
ing Parsonage

An Amuseing Sketch of this Interest
ing Parsonage
Special Correspondence Of tie Sentinel.
WASHINGTON, April 2.--And still
they come IN swarms and droves; the
streets are full of them and the de-
partments are flooded with their APP
plications. The office-seeker is here
he and all of his relatives. Not one of
them seems to be left behind. Every
man who voted the Democratic ticket
in the last twenty-four years is repre-
sented. Most of them came to see
President Cleveland inaugurated, but
each incoming train adds to their
number. Some of them have money
to defray their expenses, but the ma
jolity are apt to go home on foot if
they do not start soon, and they are
not, SO far showing any inclination to
get away. One would imagine, to hear
some of these people talk that Presi-
dent Cleveland's election meaut sim
ply grand rattle of all the Offices in
the Federal Government, in which
none but Democrats should be entitled
to prizes. This does ehot seem to be
the Presidents understanding of the
situation by any means. He says thar
he is a believer in civil service reform,
all of his Cabinet echo the same con-
victions, and what is still more aggra-
waiting to the small place-hunter, they
appear "to practice what they preach"
Notwithstanding this fact the Office
seekers are pushing day and night to
get in somewhere so as to draw sala-
ry from the Government. This is
their sole ambition-to feel that they
are at least occupants of offices form
erly held by their Republican oppo-
nents-and to know that their salaries
will surely be paid every month.
ington he invariably makes q bee-line
for the White House. The fact that
he has come to Washington is 50
large and ample circumstance in his
history that he thinks the whole coun-
try knows and approves of his mission.
He walks in air as he comes up Penn
sylvania Avenue, his whole being
thrilled with the knowledge that the
Democratic party is at last in power.
He looks at the public buildings and
wonders how it is that the clerks seem
to be going about their business pre-
cisely as though nothing had happen
ed, but instead of taking this observa-
tion at its true worth he makes up his
mind that there is altogether too much
modesty in the Democracy and that
one of the present occupants shall not
be permitted to remain longer than a
few moments after he has seen the
President. Then he becomes wilder in
his insane longing after the spoils. He
goes to the White House and sees
hundreds waiting. Just as he is, with
their gripsacks and long letters of in
PRODUCTION from their local political
magnates who have never before been
heard from outside of their own coun-
ties. Perhaps it strikes him that he
is trife late, but he makes up his
mind that he will make up in vigor
for what he lacks in precedence. He
waits and waits and maybe he is told
to come back the next day. Perhaps
he is not seen at all, but if he gains
admittance he is, indeed, lucky man.
Of nearly 1000 letters which ar
rived at the Postoffice Department
yesterday, and constituted the heavi-
est mail for some years, about three
quarters Of them contained applica-
tions for postofices, recommendations
or requests for retention in office.
| Postmaster General Villas received a
large number of callers, both singly
and in delegations. OF the latter
there were two from Kansas, and one
each from Pennsylvania, Wyoming,
and Colorado.
WALTER ERICKFORD.