Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-07-10
LEAVES OF ADoENCE.


"Leaves Of absence" echoed an appointment
clerk In one Of the departments In response TO
question from STAR reporter. Eyes, the
leaves are falling very rapidly just now" and
he paused for a moment to see what effect this
witicism had upon his visitor but observing NO
signs that IL had been noticed much less appre-
ciated, he sighed gently, as appointment clerks
are won't breathing as they do an atmosphere
of disappointment, and then returned to the
cold realities of life. II suppose" he went on,
THAT there are about the same number of ap-
plications for leaves Of absence we have usu-
ally at this tlAe Of the year. Perhaps more
than last year, tor then the clerks seemed to be
rather coy about asking Tor u vacation. They
probably thought that the new administration
might ind out that their services could be dis
leave might be definitely extended, and SO they
preferred to stick close to their desks. At least
that was the practical result Until quite late in
the summer, and SO the departments had their
warm weather. But this year The clerks are
much as usual"
The official above quoted gave a very fine
summary of the situation in all the depart
ments, as was found upon subsequent inquiry.
lhe feeling that u democrat was ready to slide
into their places il left empty for even one day,
ago. or course all apprehension on this score
has not entirely died OUT but 1t cannot be
termed US any thing worse than the chronic
condition OF mind of nearly every one in the
government service. In some OF the depart
ments the entire period Of thirty days is not
asked Tor, because, In many cases, the entire
time Is not allowed without q break, and then
again the time absent ON account OF sickness or
Tor any other cause is deducted from the usual
vacation period, so that the thirty days leave
Is not SO common As IL formerly was. Under
these circumstances the fashionable watering
places Will miss many of their accustomed
ornaments, and the ripple caused by the up-
pearance of dashing government clerk
for few weeks will be only a
tradition for this season, at least.
However, the influences OF a fair in
come and employment of u light character are
presumably tue same, whether the Individual
enjoying these conditions vi Lie is u democrat
or u republican and 1t may not be unreasona-
Die 10 expect That the places OF the republican
butterflies OF fashion will be filled by democrats
VI similar butterfly prOcliViLies. In iact, the
new officials are human, although they
democrats, and SO there is no reason to suppose
that the representation OF Washington at the
watering places will entirely be wanting 1t
should not, however, be- presumed that all gov
ernment clerks spend their savings by living at
fashionable resorts tor Il few weeks during the
summer. On the contrary, very respectable
portion OF the property holders III the District
Is composed OF government clerks, who, by
economy and judIciouS investment OF their
savings, have become the owners OF varE.Ui
real tate. 1t Is very commonly thought that
the holding OF government position units
man for business, but there are many Instances
to the contrary, and IL is Very often the men
who have shown capacity in managing their
private affairs who render the best service to
the government