Los Angeles herald., 1892-11-17
THE LUST OF OFFICE.

There is undoubtedly some occult 1as-
cination in the holding of Office which
not every one can understand. No SOON
er was the announcement OF Cleveland's
election made than myriads of eager as
pirants were around committing their
friends, or those whom they supposed to
possess influence, to their candidacy for
this, that or the other position. Men
who have only to prosecute some legiti-'
mate calling to 60 steadily forward to
competency or wealth, are ready to sur
render all independent plans of life to
fill some position whose tenure is ehort-
lived at best, and whose possession in
terrupts any intelligent and successful
career. OF course, somebody has to oc-
cupy these posts, and it is quite legiti-
mate and proper that they should be
held by men who have done something
for their party, all other requisites of
ability, character and fitness being
equal. We are simply expressing Won
der at the craze that seizes people to get
into official life, which is frequently at
tended by very unpleasant incidents.
Powerful and pathetic pictures have
been drawn OF the really wretched exist
ence of department clerks at Washing
ton, and yet that city will be overrun
after the Inauguration on the 4th of
next March with people anxious to take
up this helpless and dependent role. 1t
might truly be said as to all this class of
office-aeekers at Washington, "Whoso
enters here leaves hope behind"
There are few heads of departments,
and even the best of these are not gen.
erously salaried. As to all the rest OF
the places within the gift of the admin
istration at the national capitol, there is
nothing about any OF them to attract a
man who has confidence in his ability to
hold good hand in the game of life.
Even the position of member of con-
gress, unless he has some high public
purpose to accomplish, is not an envia-
BILE one. The city of Washington has
become highly expensive place of resi-
dence. OF late it has been overrun with
wealthy persons from all sections OF the
country, who seek to share in the
gaieties which have become celebrated
there during the past decade. This has
had the effect of advancing rents, max
ing servant hire excessive and establish
ing more exacting style of living. The
five thousand dollars year, which is
the salary of a congressman, is not ade-
quate to the support of family under
such circumstances. The average mem
ber of congress may be found, with his
household, in very many instances
packed away in obscure lodgings in some
back street, or occupying very indffer.
ent apartments in some hotel of modest
preteneions To admit of making the
slightest attempt to be in the swim in
this fashionable Washington OF today 6
member of congress must possess some
private means. 1t is probably owing to
this circumstance that go many rich
men are crowding their way into con.
gress. Added to the unavoidable ex-
penses of a campaign, this drain upon
his purse often sends the member back
to his constituents with his ordinary
business practically destroyed and bis
purse empty.
Not every one is like Hon. Don M.
Dickinson, who, on being approached the
other day, to say whether he would not
be member OF Mr.. Cleveland's cabinet,
answered that he would accept no Office
and that he proposed to devote himself
strictly to his profession, and this after
his invaluable services in the campaign.
AS Mr.. Cleveland's postmaster-general
Mr.. Dickinson made a splendid impress
sion upon official life in Washington and
upon the country at large, but he has
had an opportunity of gauging the joys
of public functionary, and wants none
of them. He will find that, in attend
ing to his large and lucrative law prac'
tice, he will have more substantial sat
isfaction than would attend the quite
exacting labors of cabinet officer.
The lust for Office, however. is abroad
in the land. Thus it has been in the
past, is now and always will be. Even
in the early days of the republic Office
was clung to most desperately. OF Office
holders themselves Jefferson wrote,
Few die and none resign" They are a
sort of perennial; and, like our alfler-
lila, only slight shower is necessary to
make them spring up on highland and
lowland. May the best man win, says
the HERALD.