Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-27
THE OFFICE-SEEKER.
. esson THAT MAY BE USEFUL TO
THIS WILLING CITIZEN.
c,,vr...msu Eamunds Explains no"
Easy It Is to Apply For bat no"
D,n,cuit TO obtain Places

f1sorrespondence OF the Richmono
uorsroy. Va, November 26.-Wno "iii
all the Offices under the incoming De,no,
c,ot,c Administration? This IS Question
of absorbing interest to large nu'n'o, -
citizens at the present time anu "a
cluded TO interview Congressman nu
munds and find out how be was ee',,ns
along with this important but very o'''-
cate matter ..-.- .;aorca
Mr.. Edmunds was found at the residences
NJ his son. Mr. John r. Edmunos, ato
both were handling letters IN Inan ,n feel
cause the most expert mail agent W
acnte symptoms Of envy. ct
Mr. Edmunds." said the reporter,
have called to interview you uPon ~"
subject Of official appointments. a. mn. 70
"Good prHcious!" wcs the Souo-Oo'o iS
mark TO Mr.. Edmunds, Jr. .aor
But.n continued the reporter. under
stand that / am not an applicant for once.
and only want TO get any points you n"'
have To offer of public interest. -,
I" Happy 10 see You, sir very glau gu
have come. Take chair. See that PIE OF
letters All from constituents wantlng
office either for themselves OF 'ne'i
friends" 800, ro
:" How many applications have you re-
r..
About 200 80 far, and they are still,
coming in. Since the election my mail
has averaged about fifty letters day.
ONLY HIS DUTY.
cit must require much time and labor
20 MANAGE such heavy correspondence
"Oh. YES. but that 10 not a consideration
with me. II is not only my duty but q rear
Measure rs we'll 70 give attention TO tne re-
quests of nv people, and | answer all let-
ters cheerfullr and as promptly as posi-
bic. The trouble is that II Is impossloie
for me to do as much for nv constituents
as would like TO do, nor, to tell the tIu.n'
a. much as they seem to believe lhe oap'-
bic of doing" ,.:..,,o sc
:" How many governmental positions, OF
every character do you suppose your dis
trict may succeed IN securingF
EVERYTHING DEPENDS.
"FYcl,siye of the post-ofiices | should
think 100 would be most liberal estimate.
Bnt II should be remembered that great
deal indeed everything, depends on MT.
CIeyeland's attitude. From his recent ut
terances | think he will maintain bis for
mer civll-servlce position. and II that Dc
the case it will be difficult TO secure
appointments in the departments AZ
Washington. and then, IN most cases
ONLY after the applicants shall nave
But. say that this district can receive iOO
Offices. il will be impossible and out or the
nature OF things that / should be able per
sonallv to name all the appolntees. ne
hest that we congressman can 90 Is 10
watch Tor every opportunity and get IN our
men from time 10 time as the occasion may
permit. There will certainly be no whole
sale turning out of the old force and me
substitution of an entirely new force OF
Il
nately. this seems TO be the impression
with some of my correspondents"
What disposition do Won make OF the
applications sent to you, MIR. Edmunds!
FILE THEM AWAY.
~ first answer them a. candidly as pos
sible. and while | try not to arouse any
false hopes, If there is any chance tor the
applicant tell him go, and rics UerSn. L
then carefully file away the applications,
and they will all receive my careful and
impartial consideration whenever an OPP
portunity Is offered me to accomplish
ANYTHING"
trying feature of congressman's duties,
is it not?"
LIKE A PHILOSOPHER.
Extremely so. II is very perpleIing,
and sometimes, whatever the course pHr-
SUe0, IL is uisCOuelI VI stANti uPOh
for the purpose of unfriendly and unjust
criticism. However. this is one of the
necessary attachments of q congressional
career. | suppose and | must ia ke my
share OF il. 1t is needless for me
to say that all that can possibly
do TO meet the wishes of my constitu-
ents will be done. Official duty and
personal inclination both impel me
TO this, can only ask my friends to be pa
tent and not expect too much. As | have
already stated TO you with about 100 of
fees at most. assigned to this district and
many of these not at my disposal. how is il
possible for me TO make 500 or 600 applica-
tions bear the fruit of fulhlment? | be-
lieve, however. that our people Will under
stand the condition of affairs and not b5
unreasonable in their demands. You say
you are not an applicant for any Office "
ANOTHER PHILOSOPHER.
mo. sir. I've concluded to wait until
1896 before troubling YOU"
That's right. Come to me then, and if
7 am in Congress FL see what can be
done"
And again the shutting of letters was be-
gun as the reporter took his departure.