West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1893-04-27
A coNaREssMAN's TIME.
How Hon. William l.. Wilson Is I'm.
portuned By 0iice seekers.
From the Wheeling Register.

to see MIR. Wilson at his rooms, at
1910 n street, fortunately securing
few moments when he was alone.
A glance at his office disclosed
better than words can describe tho
immense pressure to which he has
been subjected since the new
administration camein. And what
is said of Mr.. Wilson represents
faithfully the situation Of all tho
West Virginia delegation. On a
large table IN front of him were
fifteen assorted piles of letters
relating to the postoflices in the
fifteen counties of his district.
Upon the floor and in the corners
of the room and under the table
were immense piles OF other letters,
part of which had been opened and
briefed, but many OF which were
still unexsmined. In answer to
questions pronounced from time to
time. he SAID in substance
81 have renamed in Washington
almost constantly since the lnaugu-
ration. / knew there would be
large number of my own copstitu-
ents and others visiting this city
who would desire and who had n
right to sec me. have accordingly
remained here, anu for most of that
time | have been closely i'm mprisoned
in my Office. When get up from
the breakfast table. find my office
nearly full of visitors. 0ftener
than otherwise the stream is con.
tinued until late bedtime. AS a
consequence, | have been utterly
unable to look after my corrcspon-
dence aud, although have had all
the time the active assistance of
one clerk anil part of the time of
wo,
IUAy. BEEN UNABLE
to answer or even Co sort and dis
tribute the letters that have been
piling in upon me. have no
doubt there are hundreds Of friends
in West Virginia and elsewhere who
are angry at not receiving prompt
replies to their letters but am
obliged occasionally to admit to
one Of these callers that have not
seen the communication he sent me
several weeks ago. The contests
over the fourth class postofiices are
far more numerous than they were
eight years ago. | am constantly
asking myself, what right have /,
rs II member of Congress, chosen to
Iegislate in the direction of certain
lines Of public policy, to dictate
who shall be fourth class postmas-
ters in my district? And on the
other hand by what right am /
made to take on me tho invidious
burden of deciding among appli-
cants, all Of whom are my political
and nearly all Of whom my personal
friends ; these volnmlnous and oft
times bitter postoiiicc candidaccs !:
As to general applications for
offices, my docket which is as yet
very incomplete will show nearly
two thousond. Mango these are
for high positions. from chiefs Of
divisions to assistant secretaries,
and verify believe the doctors at
home are prescribing foreign consul
latcs for all Of the diseases they
cannot cure. Here, for instance,
ls the record Of single county,
which | will not name, bnt it is
typical OF almost all. There are
over fifty applicants for places in
Washington, and more than half Of
them for important and we'll salar-
led positions. Almost all Of them
are men and women who have a
reasonable right to apply Tor public
positions and a reasonable right TO
expect my hearty support in secur-
ing them places. Now, II were
able TO take up Chs list and by
extraordinary efforts TO secure for
each applicant upon il the place be
seeks, would more than consume
the entire quota Of West Virginia
under this administration, aud
every other county in the State
would DO excluded from federal
positions at Washington or in the
consular service. Our friends at
home will eventually learn that
there are but few places outside Of
those controlled by
..... ,...sgr ..-r.st.,... 80.