The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-23
HANGING ON TO OFFICE.
THE EMPLOYES PRAYING FOR
CIVIL SERVICE RULES.
When the Gold Question Has Been Solved
Secretary Carlisle VIII Attend to tho
Wishes of the Democrats.
TIMES BUREAU. RAPLEY BUILDING,
WASHINGTON. April %, 1898.

WASHINGTON Aplil @1' 1O'o'
It is really comical to note to what
extent the change Of an administration
will serve to influence the manners or
a large class of clerks and division heads
in the public service. 1t has been truly
said: LET gem fall into the mire and
1t remains the same precious stone 1t
was; let dust be whrled up to heaven,
and 1t retains its base origin" This. of
course, is true of human beings, but If
ever there was time when the dust"
of creation was trying to fly about grace
fully and glitter in the sunshine of official
favor, it is now, in the departments of
the Government. The cheap arrogance
OF little men which last summer was
shameless, is now replaced by a bow
which is too low" and the pregnant
hinges of the knees" are as supple as
a whalebone buggy-whip, or the languid
pendants Of the weeping willow tree.
The men and women. boys and girls.
now in the departments are hanging on
to the Offices like a drowning man to
life-preserver, and every time one Of their
comrades goes under they all take sym
pathetic dip and come up with mouth
full of salt water that makes them sea-
sick and groggy. They are now circulate
ing huge petitions, signed by every mug
wump on earth praying that they
all bs taken under the protecting wings
of the civil service rules like a half
fedged brood beneath the feathered breast
of the speckled hen. But 1t is difficult 10
understand why they did not do all this
during the past four years; but it did not
look so stormy then, and the sunshine or
anticipated Republican rule forever was
i suppose. mighty bright to them.
All of this rubbish and gauzy effort at
a continuance in Office is thoroughly
understood by the President and
his Cabinet officers. and when the
time comes these petitions will be prop
erly placed away for attention by some
other administration In the Treasury
Department, where a large majority of
these unclassified positions are held, the
work has recently been Of such a charac-
ter as TO prevent the Secretary from Civ
ing time to these matters. but Mr.. Car
iisle when the gold question has been
solved. will attend awhile to the wants Of
the Democrats for these places
One of the closest men to Secretary
Carlisle, and certainly one OF the most
accomplished gentleman connected with
the Treasury Department, is Colonel
Samuel NJ. Gaines, of Kentucky. who
came as the private secretary to Mr.. Car
isle. and has since been made chief OF
a division under him. Colonel Gaines was
born in Charlotte county, Va, and was
one of the coterie of splendid young men
who were graduated from the University
of Virginia in few years succeeding the
war. among them. and the most brilliant,
perhaps being Harvey Chambers Of
Mecklenburg. Isidor Rayner Of Maryland
and j. Taylor Ellyson OF Richmond.
Colonel Gaines served for a number OF
years as clerk of the Court of Appeals
OF Kentucky, and was editor of the
New Era, and also the Maysville Buile-
tin. He is famous in the State for his
brilliant paragraphs and strong editorial
work He is splendid type OF
the courtiy Southern gentleman,
and his actions are strongly en-
his native State. He is brother of Mr.
X. V. Gaines, Of Charlotte county.
group or gentlemen We're sitting
about the lobby of the Metropolitan last
night, and the conversation turned upon
''disappointments, not wholly an un-
usual topic, even this early in the game
OF political rewards. One Of them re-
marked that the disappointments did not
all come from failure TO get an office
but sometimes followed the success. For
an instance. he said: II was in Buclxing-
nam county some time ago. and heard
OF the incident. ~ year ago the Legisa-
lure or Virginia elected Hon. Sam Cole
man to the circuit judgeship of his dis
trict. He was a member of the House of
Delegates. and so there was "A vacancy.
Mr.. Camm Patteson. of that county.
went to Richmond and was told there
WOUND be an extra session OF the Leg
Isiature iast winter so he began his cam
paign, and was duly elected 10 mn the
unexpired term OF Judge Coleman but
you see. there was no extra session so
opportunity funds. labor and ali went
IN under the. general head of disappoint-
ments. even In success: but" he contin-
sses 1t v more than nkalv that another