The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-03-29
Warrington Letter.


Hope, which is said to be the most per-
sistent thing in politics, again springs in
the breast of the patient and lowly Office
seeker, aud at night when he sits by his
~virtuous couch and counts the money in his
inside pocket, he begins to feel mildly en-
couraged. He is not, of course, elated or
hilarious, but he is nearly as happy as he
ever expects to be in this cruel Civil Ser
vice world. He of the rank and file of
Office seekers has already discovered that
ton of the earth than he first requested,
and has changed his application to a lesser
position.
The present crowd of office seekers is not,
however, as easily satisfied as were the
place hunters who came here when Mr..
| Cleveland was elected. Many of the latter
throng were willing to accept anything at
| all, from'secretary of a department to the
laborer who pushes out its dirt. They were
essentially homeopathic in their school,
believing that a very little office was good
thing and practically as effieacious as a
great deal of position. In this they exhib-
tied more courage than sense, as many
afterwards discovered to their eternal scr
row, as is shown by the really remarkable
list of designations of Democrats during
the Cleveland administration. The pres
ent crowd know full well that an $500 a
year position in Washington is not worth
the taking, especially as full settlement for
political obligation. and they will not seek
them, unless coupled with a substantial
promise of early promotion. They have
been there before.
A few discharges have already been made
in the clerkships. and more may be expect
ed. The hungry ones claim to have had
last week the Presidents promise to make
a clean sweep in SO far as possible, and to
begin by re-instating all members Of the
Republican party o in good standing
who were turned out by the Democrats.
To do this it will be necessary TO remove
once and for all President Clcyeland's de-
reinstatement over two years after resign
ing or one year after discharge. unless the
civil service examination be passed. That
this rule will be revoked there is %
hardly any doubt. If it is retired, the axe
will be kept pretty busy.
Already the small fry in the Government
departments are determining precisely she
is to be killed. Clerks who were appoint
od ca nanv uoarc apn tbat tbnv hava nrita
forgotten their native place, save for occa-
sional letters from their nephcws who still
live, very old and feeble, back on the
homestead, suddenly awake to the ~realiza-
ton that they have been prosecuted for
politics sake, and they proceed to cry
aloud and exhibit their sores in the market
places. In most Of these cases the COM
palmer is receiving to-day as much salary
or more than he received in the days of
Republican rule, and he took not enough
interest in the last campaign to go home to
vote or to contribute one dollar to the
funds. These be the political martyrs.
Many of the loud mouthed were so obscure
and insecure during Arthur's administra-
ton that they lived in continual aud abject
fear of dismissal.
In the meantime the President is i~neffect-
ually trying to convince the anxious Rep
resentatiyes and Senators that they must
wait with theiI candidates, and that the
positions cannot all be filled at once.
The debate over the confirmation of
Whitelaw Reid Oh Saturday was a hot one,
and brought out a great deal of bad feeling.
The opposition that was expected from the
Southern Senat ors and which would have
made the Republican solid in Mr.. Reid's
support, as being a vindication of the
honor of the ''bloody shirt, did not come
forward, but the Republican opponents of
Mr.. Blaine were not so generous. They
gave it to Mr.. Reid with a warmth that
was full of long pent up spleen.
The appointment of Corporal Tanner to
be COMMISSIONS of Pensions is q graceful
recognition of the non-commissioned men
in the late war. Mr.. Tanner is a soldier
who bears the evidence of service in his
two stumps of legs. His party record is
sound and his work during the last cam
paign was a great aid to his party. His
appointment is due to the Presidents per-
sonal desire and to the further influence of
Col. Dudley, the former Republican Com
missioner, and John c. New. 1t is in open
opposition to Senator IIiscock, who takes
the appointment with bad grace.
There is every Indication that President
Harrison will not escape without his own
experience with New York politicians.
The efforts of Senator fIiscock in opposi-
ton to the Presidents long expressed de-
sire to appoint Mr.. Tanner, shows the old,
familiar face of the New York "boss."
WESTON.
Dairy commissioners ReD0rt.