The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-09-24
POLITICAL BARNACLES.
HOW INFLUENTIAL CLERKS RESIST
EFFORTS TO REMOVE THEM.
Their Polite. Change With tho Admins
tration, Tut They Remain Forever
Tho Idlers In tho Departments,
Washington - National News.

that Judging from letters on nle ana the
promptness with which Democratic senators
and members elect come 10 the rescue OF
clerks threatened with dismissal 90 per
cent of the clerical force In his department
were Democrats, This paragraph appears
10 have suggested the cartoon In u New
York illustrated paper, representing the 500
rotary az nonpussOd at this extraordinary
political metamorphoda The outs arc de-
mandlng on ono side, "Turn them out; they
are all Republican, while tho ins defend
their position by declaring, ave are nearly
all Democratah
II may be said that this is an elaggerA.
tion. Perhaps II H. but II all the stories
were printed bearing upon the truth OF tho
cabinet officers statement, there would be
very much ground for doubling lts general
correctness, Referring TO the paragraph,
tho chief OF ono OF the most important bu
reaua In tho treasury department told this
story In support OF tho statements "
found, said he, that among tho clerks
had beon appointed 10 direct and couni
thore was ono very seldom at his desk, Ills
average attendance has boon four out OF
twelve months, during period OF many
yean, When | said that this would never do
the clerk who handed me the list revealing
this mans record bit his lips 10 keep from
laughing outright, l thought II was a scr.
ious matter, and asked him what thoro was
so funny aboutit why, said no, that clerk
has deAed ovory head OF this oiilc, and every
secretary OF this department, and | was
laughing at what hornets nest would
light upon your head II you attempted
10 discipline him. The first thing
did was 10 present the facts
10 the secretary, who said ho would stand
by mo II the removal was made. We roas-
onod that his republican influence would not
bo very great and that thoro was enough
nrmness between us 10 resist whatever APP
poals might 10 made, Well, sir, tho useless
clerk was dismissed. That had boon done
before, but how 10 keep him bounced was
tho problem my predecessors had failed 10
solve That night In dream thought |
saw Benator Edmunds with an ongrossod
oopy Of the civil service law, rolled up like
marshal's baton, at tho head OF n long pro-
ooSsion OF senators and congressman, They
bad haltod under the portico at the north
entrance OF tho treasury department. the
watohman, approhonsivo OF an armed inva-
son and trouble, having suddenly locked tho
door. Secretary Manning was demanding
tho object OF their visit from tho window OF
tho commissioner OF Internal revenue over
tho main door, and thought l hoard Mr..
Edmunda say tho Republican party In con-
Rroaa assembled demands your reasons for
diminishing that time honored barnaclO from
the treasury department In the midst OF
nervous fear that tho secretary would not DO
firm awoke,
"Woll, sir, the next day, looking out OF
my oillco window, saw an actual procession
made up Of Democratic senators and con-
grosamep, goiuS toward tho White House.
How know this will presently appear, Tho
novelty OF tho scene was flIcd In my mind,
and while thinking what trial II must DO
~ tho president 10 have TO listen 10 tho bun.
oombo OF ollce-sooking delegations, tho head
Of this procession ontorcd my office, and tho
rank and flo masscd In column about my
desk. What fort Az am living man,
thsy oamo demanding tho restoration OF tho
dismissed clork TO olloo. Yes, sir, Every
ono In tho party was Democratic senator
or congressman ooct In ono corner OF tho
room was tho clork who had suppressed his
laugh whom marked the trunnt employo
for dismissal Senator a. said they had
boon 10 President Cleveland 10 protest
against tho dismissal Of Mr.. A. anl ho had
roforod tbom 10 Secretary Manning, and ho
In turn had asked thom 10 mako thoir ap-
poal TO mo-
"Gontlcmon,' said /, recognizing their
number and influence, " tho secretary says
no will approve Of tho revocation OF tho Or
dor diminishing your constituent and friend,
l will certainly order II TO be done Won't
you please 20 aud ask him. IL Ia very Inn
portant that our friond DO roinstatod M soon
an possible suggested the hoai OF tho dole.
CATION, or course, I declined to 10 on any
such orrand, and out tilod tho congressional
proccesion aud up stairs II won't 10 argue tho
matter with Mr.. Manning. Tho secretary
remembered his promise but was nonpluascd
FOR q moment what 10 say. Finally, said
hc, III tho chief OF tho bureau will recon-
mend tho revocation OF the order dismissing
your frionl and holpor will certainly ap-
provo H. and down came tho procession 10
toll mo TINT now thoy had mo cornorod.
9 Thoy argued, they appealed, thoy looked an
CRY but said No; will mover recommend
any such thing, Again the procession loft
tho Office, but returned after an hours alb
sonoc, this time with flag OF truce and tho
following request spoken In tho tone Of
vanquIshci foot
"'our friond aud patriotic constituent asks
permission 10 rosign. Ho docs not like tho
record Of being dismissed, and II you will
ploaso revoke tho order he will tender bis
resignation and bother you no longer Tho
proposition seemed fair enough, and the
persuasive words OF Senator Y, were almost
irroslstiblo, II suddenly occurred TO me that
II Iococded tho revocation would DO equiva-
lont 10 restoration 10 ofIlco and pay A
month might bo askod TO lot II appear that
tho resignation was not forced and once ro-
stored this battalion Of Democratic congress
slonal influence might prevail resembling tho
order permanently. This strategy, however,
did not prevail No. mid I, nerving my.
self 10 the ISSUE, 4 win not do that but II
ciont political ally, who has boon
horo under four Republican admin.
istrations and lay IL on my desk,
win comply with your request The visi.
tors filed silently sullenly and slowly out,
broke ranks at the Idoal vino parlor, and
that ended tho appeal. l havo never hoard
from any Of thom since that day.
"A short time ago my predecessor hap
penod ~ Visit THO ofiico, ana Tho trSt thing
he On kcd was whether had attempted to re-
form MIR. A. i told him he was out and
had been for some months Ho jumped TO
his feet oxcloiming, You don't mean IL.
Well, WE'LL Now, know this administra-
tion has backbone and the courage of its
convictions Just think, said he, II took q
great political revolution 10 dislodgo that
fellow from second. class clerksbip,' and
then, hnlf doubling the truth of th' state
ment he alacd, Don't bet your idle wealth
that be won got back. / had him out once
for nearly six weeks, but he finally got the
best Of mo- | have no fear, however, that
tho secretary will rolent, and am quito sure
never VIM
was asked II he thought his experience
vt.2tional. mot by any means, F." bo TO