The herald., 1897-05-13
DIARY OF AN OFFICE SEEKER
Aimed High, Missed, Became Modest,
Exhausted His Credit, Gave Up

March 2-Just arrived. Washington a
nice town. Wonder if it wouldn't be as
well to stay here as to go abroad?
March 4-Saw Major Mckinley inau-
gurated. We folks who nominated him
will be all right now. Think had better
take an assistant secretaryship. The ad-
ministration wants good men who know
something about politics. Besides, l am
getting to like Washington.
March S-Big crowd at the White
House. They ought to give the presi-
dent time to settle himself Have sold
my excursion ticket and will stay awhile.
Too many people make a hotel uncom-
Portable. Have found a good boarding.
house.
March 11-Shook hands with the presl-
dent in the east room and told him
would call on a matter of business in
few days. He seemed pleased.
March Invent to the Capitol and
found Senator X. He was sour Said
the whole state was chasing him. Asked
me what 1 wanted, and said, Better go
for something in reach" Maybe an
authorship would be the thing.
March 23-Took my papers to the
White House today. Thought I'd wait
anu IdNc d pIlNdle ldlh Will Tie pTeSl-
dent, but Secretary Porter said I'd have
to go along with the rest. What an i'll
hammered set they were! Elbowed me
right along, just because they saw the
president wanted to talk with me. Will
have to go back and finish our conversa-
ton.
March 27-Got some more money from
home.
March 29-Went to the White House,
but the chap at Porters door wouldn't
let me in. Said it was after hours. He
ought to be fired.
April 3-Saw Mark Hanna, after wait
ing five hours. Asked him why my let
ter had not been answered. He said he
was getting four hundred a day, and his
secretaries would catch up some time
next year. always thought Hanna was
overestimated. Now know it.
April 5-Had an interview with the
president Was in line, so they couldn't t
push me along. When told him of my
services to the party he replied, "Oh.
yes" and for me to file my papers in the
state department. Said he had many
good friends in Indiana and hoped they
would be patient. Can he have forgotten
that am not from Indiana? Probably
the tariff is worrying him. Shameful
way the senate is acting.
April 7-Borrowed little more money
Washington is an expensive town to
live in. t.
April Ex-senator x says all the aud
itorships were mortgaged before cleo
ton, but he will indorse me for a special
agency or chief clerkship, if I can
C j
ice law.
April 12-D-n the civil service law.
April 17-Didn't know there were SO
many good positions abroad. Ought to
have gone for one of them in the first
place. That state department list is
great thing. Think I'll start with Ant
werp and check off a few which will
suit me- Wonder where can negotiate
small loan?
April 19-Got in to see the president
and told him I could best serve the ad-
ministration and the party abroad. He
said, "Oh, yes," and to file my papers
in the postoffice department, and he
hoped his friends in Massachusetts,
would be patient. What made him think
1 was from Massachusetts? 1 suppose
he gets mixed sometimes
April Ex-senator X says there is one
chance in million of getting consul
ate, but if I will concentrate on Ztown
he and the delegation will do what they
can. Salary, $1,000; fees, $S7.
| April 21-Have concentrated on Ztowu.
Got in the line today just for moment
to tell the president 1t would suit me-
He said, "Oh, yes" and to file my papers
| In tho trea sI1rv dana rtroapt opd ho hon
| ed his friends in Minnesota would be pa