Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-29


men can study politics to advantage and
become better citizens, but to think OF
becoming an oficeholder in professional
way is not to be thought OF, much less en-
couraged.
A SNARE AND A DELUSIoN.
Ex-Mayor John A. Roche, of Chicago
There is no sense, no satisfaction, no iDde-
pendenee in politics, and to nearly every
Young man it is a snare and delusion. /
confess that took flyer in politics and
have had enough. I have a business that
keeps me engaged and employs a number of
Young men. As soon as I was elected Mayor
two young men in my employ wanted to get
small Offices knew the uncertainties Of a
long tenure Of Office and advised them not to
Quit positions, that, although they did not
pay as much as the Offices, would be more
secure and more remunerative in the long
run. One clerk agreed to remain and is now
getting much larger salary, is rising and
is practically independent The other took
Office. was not reelected and he was asked
to resign his Office. To-day he is looking for
work. Do not think of politics, young men,
as pursuit; It is the road to poverty.
Ex-Postmaster General Frank Hatton,
now Of Washington-We had no profess
sional ofice-seeking class, properly speak
ing, until civil service reform became law.
All Young men who contemplate entering
politics to get an cffiee throughappointment
I would most emphatically advise to try
ANYTHING else in the world. There are hum
dreds of applicants for Office on the civil list
waiting in vain. They have stood the exam
nations and have their names on the list as
eligible to hold Office. 1t has demoralized
them, and instead Of going to work to earn
their living in some other way they hang
on from day to day, hoping ever that their
turn will come next 1t is simply sad to-
consider, and shows that politics as profes-
sion is very discouraging.' do not intend
to say that yonng men should not take an
interest in politics, for they should, in order
TO vote intelligently and understand the
questions at issue before the people. If
civil service is perpetuated professional
class of Office seekers will be the natural
consequence, and there will be much suffer-
ing and poverty among them.
SIGN OF INSANITY.
John r. Mclean, editor Of the Cincinnati
EaquireT-Why, young man is insane to
20 into politics. There is nothing to be
gained, and all to lose. Success in one or
kMO- -luebduCcS ID uO nCSullbN Nudb iOA VIC ANob
Of his natural life he NAV not score failures.
ANY pro fession or business is better, and
will bring more contentment and more
genuine happiness. The political Office
seekers life is one strewn with shards
and fiints, and the young man who will
fully and premeditatedly selects politics as
q pursuit or calling has a mental structure
that certainly should be inquired into by
the DroDer authorities
George S. Batcheller, Assistant Secretary
OF the Treasur.Y-A man cannot be honest
and be professional politician unless he is
wealthy. No man should ever accept an sp-
pointive Office unless he is rich enough to
afford it. As to elective Offices only, 1
think they can well be accepted. For a
young man to think ofadopting politics fora
profession, unless he is independent, is moral
suicide. II young men could see the old
men in the departments at Washington
they would take warning and not wish to
meet a similar fate. It is a great problem
with MS to know what to do with the old
men who have been in service so long and
are now physically incapable of discharging
their duties. We cannot pension them of,
because the Government has made no pro-
vision, and they have not saved enough to
keep them alive without work. In England
they are pensioned, and so young men there
entering the Government service do not run
any risks.