The Washington times., 1894-08-12
THE SHADOW OF A SYSTEM;
DEPARTMENT COMMENT.

More and more am l convinced that wher
the search light Of truth is carried into the
dark corners Of the departments interesting
details can be picked out OF the dust. "Tbe
withered leaf that lies motionless on the
wind gets behind it."
''You don't feel any particular interest in
the question OF departmental life after office
hours, do you?" was a greeting that fell upon
my ear in the Treasury Department.
thought had been like the sea gull, skim
ming along the surface and picking up only
the floating bits Of matter, and 1 felt like
Hopping the white wings Of that part OF me
that transcends flesh and sailing right into
the current of life with the offlce-holders.
1T is a base suspicion in the minds Of the
majority OF human kind, that department EN-
ployes are improvident." said sensitive
woman friend to me the other day. 1.-The
explanation for the usual condition OF empty
purses is not hard to find.
MANY OF the 'bread-winner' are away from
their home and families. They have no con-
genial companions at their boarding-houses
They seek TO spend their evenings pleasantly
by theater-going or boat excursions down the
Potomac, and by other innocent indulgencies
all Of which are costly when it comes out Of
ones own pocket.
"Another thing that eats up all the rest oi
tha monthly income, which, of course, the
public thinks is princely is having to make q
stallment plan. You know ones room mus,
have handsome lamp, and one must dress
as well as ones neighbor. This installment
system Is a feature Of department life. Every
thing is done on the installment plan in
Washington. Even to marriage.
Last week dealer went up TO one Of the
departments and demanded that Miss -
pay her bill. She was called down by her
chief; but in emphatic terms she denied that
the chief had any right to interfere with her
private business, transacted after office hours
Now she is in mortal agony lest she lose her
place, but she trusts-not to Congressional
influence. but to the all potent efficiency
record'-wiiich you know is so conscientiously
kept by each Chief
Almost every department employe one
meets is apt to be in the unfortunate condi-
ton Of being 'hard up" Don't marvel at
such a common disease. When the new 3
per cents are issued the good time will come.
But while you wait, subscribe to the relief
fund that is being gotten up over there in the
Pension Department. .'What is the case?''
oh, Just another warning for you. His salary
was big one. He held Office four years.
The only thing is. he was asked to pass in his
checks before he was ready. The man is out
OF a job and hasn't a cent. Now his fellow
sympathizers are getting up purse.
Said an old-time employe: "Let a man or
woman understand that his claim on Uncle
Sam is not strong enough to give him life
tenure while the millions outside the service
are waiting for their whack at the govern
ment. and he will be prepared to meet his
discharge. He can be free-minded indiYid-
ual and leave the service with sharp wits in
stead of being victim to government paresis,
which is no respecter Of persons, not even Of
Senate conferees."
"There is growing sentiment among the
men and women clerks" said prominent
official in answer to my inquiries as to the
feasibility of the proposed scheme, "in favor
OF a law limiting the term of service; not to
four or six years, however. as has been ad-
vocated by some reformer favoring the
masses who are knocking to get in. If a
woman's work is merltorious and she can
fill the technical position better than an inex-
perienced clerk could. her period of useful
ness should not te cut off. But per cent
system by which, at the END of a limited
period, a certain percentage Of the employees
will be made to give place to others fully as
capable would work to advantage. Expect
ing an early retirement, they will not wait to
be pensioners of the government. and finally
like old horses be turned out to grass, but
will be prepared to work out their own saliva
ton when they have to re-enter another
sphere OF life"
.'why is it." thought i, as 1 stood watching
the many women as they came out of the de-
partments. that the majority Of humankind
are SO filled with distrust of one another?
Why do they treat each other with suspicion,
and why are they SO chary to form each
others acquaintance without credentials?
There are some women who never associate
with their desk neighbors, but maintain a
frigid reserve toward the employe met in the
outside whirl.'
Some are ashamed tor ons exclaimed.
''She would die first, And she spends her
last cent in trying to live above the suspicion
of being in Office" l don't blame them
either: il all the funny little doings they talk
about are true. I'd be nightly ashamed. too
of some associations. Women do love to Cos
sip, and what more fit subject than the one
nearest the heart A good many idle tales are
born of a gossiping group of women at the
boarding-house. In repeating happenings at
the office truth seems so tame. 1t is ever so
much spicier when it is embelished Just
q
a real live sensational story is evolved.
One was related to me the other dav, and
reflected how unkind it was to sit in Judgment
on anothers actions. Perfection can not be
found in the best of women, and the tongue
that to-day tears another's reputation to pieces
may be called upon tomorrow to defend a
more reprehensible action.
OF a strong-minded. earnest woman who
has been in the departments in different posi-
tions for many years, l asked If she had not
found the life and work easy. She replied
sadly:
"Life is monotonous and dreary at best and
government Office life is not ideal. The
women who occupy government positions are
not elevated by filling them. In most cases
they have been accustomed to all the refine
ments of life. but they accepted an office posi-
tion because OF necessity. They are forced to
be breadwinners.
.'They bury sweet hope and happiness. and
enter political asylum, exiled from their fell
low women when they cross the threshold.
When woman does so, it is in the attempt
to keep herself unblighted by the sordidness
Of poverty. But, alas. at dear cost.
There was a rose upon her desk. No doubt
she kept one there in her effort 10 keep alive
the sweet poetic fire tnat burned beneath her
breast I reflected as 1 left her that perhaps
she took too pessimistic a view of the situa-
tion. But there is not enough sunshine
streaming in the government windows TO
sweeten and brighten the life within the
walls.
There is no discrimination against the sex
there. oh, mol the cause lies in the fact that
from the very repulsive nature OF many dis
ability rases which r,ust he examined Iadiea