New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-11-25
Spanish Civil Service Methods.

spanish society IN Cuba is composed
OF the officials who form the govern
ment Of the island, their families and
hangers-on- This is Of necessity
ephemeral, for these officials are all
Spaniards, appointed and sent out
by the home government, and any
change of ministry land changes of
ministry are not infrequent in Spain,
where to hold a portfolio. if only fora
day, entities one ito a pension OF 81, 200
Year, will disseat them all. It is
commonly reported that these Off
Gals owe their positions not to merit,
but money; and that the surest way
to secure snug appointment is to
make your application to the mis-
tress of the man in power. Such
stories sound strange in the nineteenth
century, but Spain IS still in
the eighteenth. 1t is said that
in many cases the greater part OF
the salary is retained by the pat
ron, so that the official thus appoint
ed, knowing on what contingencies his
tenure OF Office depends, is fain to make
the most he can, par la vote lndirecte.
A gentleman residing in Cuba told me
that he had been on terms of intimacy
with former collector of customs in
Cuba. This man held his post for two
years. He had to send home the
whole of his salary to the patron who
appointed him; and he left Cuba with
500, COO net profit. But official specu-
lation is part Of the Spanish system;
every man that pulls an oar in the
government galley thinks himself at
liberty to dip in his private bucket at
the same time. The following anec-
dote, the truth of which can person
ally avouch, will illustrate this. A
medical man of high scientific stand
ing and large practice, Cuban by
birth, was appointed to represent
the island at the Washington med
ical congress. The secretary, who
wrote tointorm him OF his appoint
ment, added that sum of 5000 would
be allowed him toward his expenses.
Thephysician wrote back declining the
appointment; Meeting the captain
general, with whom he was on terms
Of intimacy, shortly afterward, he was
asked why he had thus declined the
offer, and explained that he could not
afford to leave his practice for. the
meagre equivalent of 5000. The cap
tain general opened his eyes. "There
must be a mistake somewhere" said
he, for | remember distinctly that
the amount of the grant was $4,000"
Upon inquiry it was found that the
clerks in the office had agreed to offer
the physician 5000, or such other
sum as they could induce him to &C
cept, and then share the modest re-
malnder among themselves.
This subject reminds me of an Incl
dent related to me in Mexico by gen
tleman who has known one of the par
ties concerned. It treats of the times
when General Santa Anna, after a
successful revolution, found himself at
the head ofaffairs, andbegan to divide
the snug places of the government
amonghis followers. One of these was a
certain cavalry officer who had served
thegeneral well, and, to reward his de.
votion, Santa Anna appointed him col
lector of customs at Mazatlan. Our
friend was not only a bravesoldier, but
an honest man; he went to fill his new
position with the firm intention dido
ing his duty by the government which
had appointed him. He had not been
long at Mazatlan before three OF the
leading merchants called upon him,
and informed him that three ships
would probably arrive at Mazatlani in
three or four days. The newcollector
thanked the merchants, and his Wis
itors retired. Two days later one OF
them came again, evidently perturb-
ed. "My dearsir, are you aware that
one of the ships is expected here to-
morrow morning."
"Soyougavem to understand when
last had the honor of receiving YOU:
what of it?''
The merchant looked surprised;
then all atonce a light broke in upon
him. "Do you mean to say" he said.
"that you are notacquainted with the
custom followed at Mazatlan on occa-
sions like the PRESENT."
Unjust confess am not, lift is any
thing beyond the usual routine .
"Well, then, my dear sir, let me have
the pleasure of instructing you. When
a ship is signalled i'll the bay, it is ex-
pected that the collector of customs
will pay a short visit to the country,
lasting, say, q week or so. Our hos
pitable friend, Senior Mendez, places
his hacienda at your service; his horses
are at your disposal; his son, a charm
ing young man, will, if you wish it, ac-
company you thither and enliven your
stay; you will have weeks excellent
sport. When you return hither, I
will have the honor, on behalf of nv
self and my brother merchants, of So
letting your acceptance, ofthe modest
sum OF l ,OOOpesos ntoken Of our gen
eral esteem. !"
The old soldier knit his brows.
.And what will be the result if ]
decline to accept your generous invita-
tion?"
Senior, you surprise me! You sure
" are not going to raise objections, or
give trouble, when all may be so well
arranged?"