The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-04-08
THE NATTER OF APPOINTMENTS

| 1H1 MAJ EN- VE AL VAG OAAAA L ~
The Republicans would make us
believe that the change in the admin
istration at Washington has brought
to them great relief; or, in othe1
words, they were greatly in need o.
rest, and are glad to get it. We have
reason, however, to view declaration
of this kind with no small degree o.
allowance. It is true the party In
power is held responsible for its every
act, and for that reason its leaders are
greatly taxed with burdens thai
should be borne alike by all. Now thai
the Democrats have got control Of at
fairs the matter of appointments will
tend to embarrass the President and
heads Of departments more, perhaps,
than any other Of the many duties
imposed upon them. Nor will they
alone feel the effects of the changein
this regard, but Congressman also
| will necessarily have to stand a fan
share Of whatever annoyance will re-
suit therefrom. 1t seems to be hui
man nature to want Office. A great
class of people ima9i1e themselves
particularly adapted to serve the
dear people" and they are ever press
ing in their demands. These would
be public servants play a COL picuous
part IN conventions and elections and
naturally enough expect their fAvors
reclprocated. The successful candid
ates find their positions no "aowery
beds of easel after all, and cudgel
their brains many times to find some
way out of the difficulties they have
been placed in by omce-seekers.
Where few positions are to be filled,
many aspirants are in the field, and
to steer clear of breakers the appoint
ing power is of course at once thrust
into a vortex of trouole. ut will not
do to slight this man." argues the
Congressman to himself, ''for he rem
dered me good service, and his appli-
cation is as worthy of consideration
as the others who are importuning me
for a helping hand for the same
Office" That he is placed in an
awkward position. there can be no
question. And yet how few there
are among The place hunters who are
generous enough. in the event of
their failure to get that which they
seek. to gracefully say, "amen." As
a rule every appointment makes
about four enemies Of the person
from whom it was recommended or
granted. This, we. venture the asser-
ton, will hold good throughout the
whole ramificatIons Of the public
service, from the President down to
the most unimportent county Or
township officer. And this fact alone
is the chief reason why the dominent
party keeps changing its officers.
Disappointed aspiran ts imbued with
the idea that they have been snubbed
by those who hold Office las they are
ready to claim through the instru-
of their wonderful skill
and ability to manipulate party
machinery, have blighted many a
good mans public career in its early
And again, it is a note
worthy fact that the ambition and
strength of many able Congressman
have been sacrificed to the prayers of
those whom they feel constrained to
and whose appeals they |
1are not ignore. patronage" Is a
great thing, but it is impossible to
it upon n without giving
,ffience to a half dozen others. For
he past twenty-four years Demo-
,ratic Congressman have not been
roubled with appeals and petitions
or office. Their constituents knew
here was no fodder in the public
rib for them, and as a consequence
we're content to " brouse around :" for
living. During this term of years.
tatistics show that there we're more
made among the Republic
ans according to numbers than there
we're among the Dem ocrats. The
States returned their Con-
'ressmen year after year, while in
he North the Republicans were con-
making changes; and all
Trough the spirit to ''get even" on
be part of their uncharltable con-
tituants. The Civil Service Act
fords some relief, but no power on
arth can curb the ambition of some
aen and prevent them from seeking
be official scalp of those whom they
ancy did them a wrong. Yet in the
ight of all this, it is fair to say that
ur Republican friends are not SO
nxious to relax their hold upon
ublic Office, and bask in the sweet
sisure to which they have been re-
as we sre given to understand
y their party press. The President
his advisers, and Democratic
congressman may make mistakes in
be matter of appointments, and
oubtless will, but their constituents
aust bear in mind that there are not
nough offices to go round, and
.ould take their disappointments
.eerfully. The present adminlstra-
on will be slow to make changes,