The sun., 1894-01-28
THE SEEKERS FOR OFFICE.
THEIR TASK rs a WEARY AND OFTEN
THANKLESs ONE.

beheN0rH nuu AonHEteNmeus
wAsH1xoroS. Jan. 27.-with lowering skies
and murky fogs. the rush for ofiice continues
Men. women. and children are involved. The
hard times increase the rush. What adds to
the pathetic character OF the hunt Is the fact
that those who are in office mako most des-
perate efforts to retain their positions. Widows
who work to support their families have lost
their situations. Old soldiers have been dis
charged. and among them men who have re-
ceived the Medal OF Honor Those In neod
seem to have received no moro favor than
thoss not in need The Civil Service law Is the
only protection for them. but there are many
places not classified and not subject to civil
service regulation.
In former Administrations politics has been
an important factor in the distribution OF these
places. II factor to a far less degree In the
present Administration. The wishes OF the
Representatives and OF the Senators are more
frequently disregarded. Some are mover con-
suited as to Federal appointments in their dis
trict or State. Others secure appointments
with very little trouble. Those nearest the
heads OF departm ents seem to have more iniu-
ence than officials imm edstely Interested.
All Cabinet officers have more or less appoint
ments The Secretary OF State is credited with
the power Of distributing foreign missions and
Consulships. These appointments. however. are
fnhu6 Dy tn0 tEebluBuIs III 10 Bhlu JnhU NlT.
Gresham really has very little to do with them.
They have been distributed thus far. with
few exceptions. after consultation with the
nearest Assistant Secretary OF State. Special
Congressional ;avors may have secured moi
ETY. Of them but the recommendations OF not
one Congressman in twenty have been favor
ably considered. outside influences swirl in
and bear away the prize.
While this may be annoying to a Congress-
m an II Is exasperating to a Senator. The Con-
stitution provides that the President may
make these appointments by and with the
advice and consent OF the Senate" When
they are made without regard to a Senator's
wishes they are apt to provoke a controversy
In executive session. They may lay in the
hands OF q Senate committee for weeks and
months before they are even considered.
IL the office Is an i'm portant one and the Gov
ernment Is suffering because It Is not filed.
the President has it In his power to withdraw
the nomination and make another one. When
Justice Blatchford of the Supreme Court died
the President nominated Mr.. Hornblower
for the vacancy. The Senate took no action.
Meantime q special session OF Congress ended
and the regular session began. Some Sem
ators doubtless anticipated that II the Senate
failed to confirm the nomination at the SPECIAL
session. the President might take the hint and
This, however. was not done. The President
renominated Mr.. Hornblower. and the decisive
action OF the Senate followed
Nominations for postmasters, collectors,
marshals. district attorneys. and other Fed
eral officers. including vacancies In army and
navy grades. frequently drag in the Senate.
Each Senator fancies that under the Constitu-
tion he Is entitled to some say before the nom
ination is made. II he ldoes not get It he is
frequently able to delay action indefinitely. If
not to defeat It.
So much for the higher offices In the gift OF
the Government. The Secretary Of the Navy
appoints all the officers and mon en- ployed In
the navy yards They are not subject to re-
vision at the White House. Before Secretary
Tracy retired he placed all the navy yards
under civil service regulations. His action
has been confirmed by the new Secretary OF
the Navy. who has undoubtedly followed the
wishes OF the President In tho matter. Me-
chanics and skilled laborers employed in the
yards are thus protected. while the vast army
outside seeking their places are disappointed.
The yards are filled with Republican en-
other mechanics and laborers were to be
drawn are iilled with Republicans.
When Secretary Herbert began his term OF
rated by his predecessor. it would have taken
sfut on lists ss@.tn 70 e9a sbs
the Secretary availed himself OF a we'll Known
civil service rule. lie issued an order that
year should be dropped. Cnder this order
few Democrats may be reached within seven
and messengers not under the cIassiile3
terrific It is safe to say that there are at least
a hundred men for each place. The Secretary
has been overourdened with applications. The
good OF the service requires that these changes
does not always throw tho right man in 'tiie the
n right place; zee. Indeed IN some H cases where
have been tried before cOmDetont clark has
Great pressure has also been brought to bear
upon the Secretary OF the Treasury. His offi-
cial duties have been arduous that for
months he has been unable TO give even near
appointed have been selected by subordintte
officials. Collectors. surveyors marshals. spe-
auditors, and others are appointed by the Presl-
dsni ds usually upon the SeeretaTy's recommen-
s are 6y hs e tess
OF divisions. FOR Instance; 4 man is
He writes out his application endorsed
by different congressman ana Democratic
Department and in most cases referred to the
oIllcer havinG charge OF such matters. His
the Office. Without il tho applicant is almost
sure to 20 to the wall. There are to-day In tho
Treasury ner9rtment enough applications for
n unon the department. To Givo these appli- |
tons careful consiteTation. would require
are constantly made, but the prizes are as feW |
and as far between as those in n lottery
The same strain is felt in the Interior De- |
paTtment This department covers tho Pen
sion, Land. Census. and Patent offices. EN- |
ploying thousands OF men and women. The |
most OF the employees ara protected by tho |
civil service rules There are hundreds. how
ever, who are not. An army of women is |
seeking these few places, When vacancy |
occurs nearly every Congressman in the |
House is importuned to go 70 the front on be- |
half OF some applicant. Those who mako a |
business OF seeking Offices instead OF attend |
ing to their congressional duties with rare ex- /
appear to he as unsuccessful as |
others. There are REPRESENTATIVES who ramp /
The departments 40 continuously that il Is |
hard to lind them when their vote is required |
TO make quorum. Very few removals aru |
made loks smith moves cautiously. and is |
not disposed 10 mako any Of his bureaus even |
temporarily inefficient for ths benefit ot office !
seekers A. for tho registers Of land Offices.
surveyors. Indian agents Rnd other places |
they are appointed by the President
The War Department, in comparison with |
others. has very little patronage to distribute |
1 o; that little. however there is a constant |
light Mr.. Lamont is emiusntly practical |
and distributes whatever he has promptly.
Tho Department OF Justice has also very
bA atriof