Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-06-07
MICAWBER ) OF WASHINGTON
Stin Thousands of fOffice-Seekers at
the Capital
Secretaries Blaine and Tracey B~sicxed
by Them. But the Postmaster-Generaa
Suffers Most "A Contest for Once
That Had . Romantic Ending.
,coi .yRroHr. 1850

Especial Washington Correspondence
"Uncle Jerrv'1Rusix Is a philosopher OF
no mean order, despite the fact that his
departmental duties have chiefly to do
with seeds and garden sass as Con-
gresham Martin says. | was in Secretary
Rusk's Office the other day when that
dignitary was iii mood both communal
cative and philosophical Il tell yoc
what IL Is, said he, pointing impressive
ly at q prize onion. ''this town Of Wash
ington has more discontented people
within its limits than any place of its
size in the world. More people come
here on hopes than go to Europe on the
steamers. It's just awful to think of
how many ambitious people come 10
Washington AMI go away disappointed
within six months or year after the
installation OF new administration.
Why. | know =" here the Secretarys
flow of sympathetic rhetoric was stopped
by the advent Of lot of Western farm
ers who wanted to talk ''crops" and his.
tory, and lost b valuable "reminiscences.
The idea that struck Uncle jerry is
correct one, and inquiry revealed good
deal about the people who come here
for Ministerial positions or fat Consul
ates and finally go away with nothing
or stay TO take , 5000 clerkship. Wash.
ington Is a reservoir of disappointed am
bitions whose possessors stay here in
very much the state of mind OF Micaw-
Der. and with VERY much the same sue
cess. The army of office-seekers OF
whom one hears so much do not come
with a swoop and then depart. They
trickle in steadily from the month after
election and stay as long az their
finances allow. just now they are real
ly thinning out and not a few are right
here in Washington without money
enough TO go hdme.
A brilliant example of the class called
on Secretary Blaine the other day. lie
was from the West Nearly three
months ago he had come to Washing
ton secure In tile belief that his letters
and pull would secure him a good
place. Week after week passed, during
which time he went through all the
grades between the Ebbitt House and q
six-dollar-a-week boarding-house. When
he entered the pffice of the Secretary of
State Mr.. Blaine was talking 10 Sir
Julian Pauncefbte. When the English
Minister had gone Mr.. Blaine turned 10
the suppliant from the West with an in
euiring glance meant TO signify what
can do for you?' Neryously coughing
the man stepped forward. lie was not
a common Political heeler by any
means. His black frock coat showed
considerable wear and his hat needed
turning, but for all that the man looked
like refined and educated individual.
"Mr. Blaine, he began. II am an ap.
plicant for position. When | came
here | wanted IN office but now | sim
ply want post lion where / can make
enough to live en-
After some little conversation he pro-
dnced a lot of letters showing that his
claims for recognition were not nn-
founded.
"Why don't you ask your Congress-
man TO help ydu?" inquired the secre-
tary.
Il have done so. but to no purpose"
was the reply.
After little Mr.. blaine promised 10
see what he colld do for him. and the
applicant left Then lrntng 20 me The
Secretary said: DO YOU think that's an
unusual circumstance here? WE'LL it's
not by any meAns Visitors like that
average half dozen or more day. Ask
any Of the Cabinet officials and they
will tell you the same story. and then
you can estimate for yourself how many
such people there are In Washington"
then went ever to Secretary Tracey
and asked him II there were any offiref
seekers left in The city.
Thousands. = was the emphatic reply.
'.They stroll in here every day."
Here Mr.. Tracey thought minute
and continued, There Is man who
has come here every other day since
have been in office, except for tho past