The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1893-05-04

A MANLY STATEMENT.
How Hon. VIM. L. Wilson is Impor-
tuned by Office Seekers.
Special Telegram to the Wheeling Register

Special Telegram to the Wheeling Register.
WASHINGTON, April 12.-The Register
correspondent called to see Mr.. Wilson
at his rooms, 1910 N. street, this after
noon, fortunately securing q few mos
ments when he was alone. A glance at
his office disclosed better than words can
describe the immense pressure to which
he has been subjected since the new ad-
ministration came in. And what is said
of Mr.. Wilson represents faithfully the
situat ion of the West Virginia delega-
ton. On large table in front of him
were fifteen assorted piles of letters re-
lating to the postoffces in the fifteen
counties in his district. Upon the floor
and in the corners of the room and un-
der the table were immense piles of
other letters, part of which had been
opened and briefed, but many Of which
were still unexamined. In answer to
questions propounded from time to time
he said in substance:
81 have been in Washington almost
constantly since the Inauguration.
knew there would be large number of
nv own constituents and others visiting
this city who would desire and who had
right to see me. l have accordingly
remained here, and for most of that time
have been closely imprisoned in my
Office. When get up from the break
fast table. find my office nearly full OF
visitors. Oftener than otherwise the
stream is continued until late bed time.
AS consequence, have been utterly
unable to look after my correspondence,
and, although l have had all the time
the active assistance of one clerk and
part of the time of two, I have been un
able to- answer or even to sort and dis
tribute the letters that have been piling
in upon me. l 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 l am
Obliged occasionally to admit to one OF
these callers that l have not seen the
communication he sent me several weeks
ago. The contests over the fourth>ciass
postoffices are far more numerous than
they were eight years ago. am con
stantly asking myself, what right have
l, as a member of Congress, chosen to
legislate in the direction of certain lines
of public policy, to dictate who shall be
fourth>class postmasters in my district
And, on the other hand, by what right
am made to take on me the invidious
burden of deciding among applicants,
all of whom are my political and nearly
| all of whom my personal friends; these
voluminous and oftimes bitter postoffice
candidates.? As to general applications
| for Offices, my docket, which is as yet
very incomplete, will show nearly two
thousand. Many of these are for high
positions, from chiefs of divisions to as
sistant secretaries, and l verify believe
| the doctors at home are prescribing for,
eign consulates for all the diseases they
cannot cure. Here, for instance, is the
record of single county, which l will
not name, but it is typical Of almost all
There are over fifty applicants for places
/ III w anu lnOIC iLdl non vi
them for important and well salaried
| positions. Almost all of them are men
and women who have a reasonable right
| to apply for public positions and
reasonable right to expect my hearty
support in securing them places. Now
| if | were able to take up this list and by
extraordinary efforts to secure for each
| applicant upon it the place he seeks,
would more than consume the entire
quota of West Virginia under this ad
ministration, and every other county IL
1 the State would be excluded from fed
| eral positions at Washington or in the
consular service. Our friends at home
! will eventually learn that there are bu
] few places outside of those covered by
| the civil service law, that can be OBJ
!: tanned. A few hundred of these, posi-
| bly, two or three, are for reasonable sala
ries. The remainder are what are callet
laborers and skilled laborers, for whicl
the pay generally, while sounding large
compared with the pay of countr.
! s,hool teachers and country clerks, i
not large for city like this. ought t.
say that my correspondence and caller
are by no means confined to West Vir
ginia. have spoken in various parts O
the country, particularly in the State
and Territories of the Northwest whicl
have no Democratic representatives.
have received the courtesies of Demo
Gratis in all sections of the Union, and
Is natural for them when they come o
write to Washington, to invoke my as
sistance in their candidates., and
would be very ungracious thing in m
to complain of their doing so. Nevertht
less, as a matter of physical necessity,
have been compelled to decline man
hundreds of earnest requests to max
personal appeals to the President an
Cabinet officers in behalf of friends whol
] should like to serve.
Had I undertaken this, the Whit
House and the Departments might Ion
since been barred against my Emporium
ties. have no doubt my own expei
ences have been, in a measure, exper
ences of my colleagues also, and / assu
you that none of us are complaining, 9
though all Of US are anxious for OF
friends in West Virginia to understa1
that we shall be unusually successful
we can secure satisfactory places for OF
or two in the hundred who expect to 6
them.
II feel confident that in the long RI
the Democrats of West Virginia will I
ceive ample recognition from this a
ministration and my own desire, ane
am gratified to add the desire of my G.
leagues generally, is to have this reco
milton fairly distributed over the Sta
in the interest of the entire party"
Guaranteed Cure.
We authorize our advertised drugg
to sell DIR. Kings New Discovery
Consumptin, Coughs and Colds, up