The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-03-12
BOMB I'm THEIR RANKS
Off1ce-Seekers Told That There
Are Few Positions Open.
PROMOTIONS WILL BE THE RULE
Notices Posted in the State Departments
Explain the Situation---LittIe Can BE
Expected Even from the
Consular Service.

Washington, March 10.-Posted con-
spicuously through the corridors of the
state department where office-seekers
can scarcely avoid being confronted
with the information are neat placards
decipherable at a considerable distance
setting forth the fact that but nine po-
sitions in that department are excepted
from the civil service regulations,
namely, three assistant secretaryships
above classification, four mere laborers
below classification, one private secre-
tary to the secretary of state, and the
right to appoint one additional conf
dental clerk without examination.
This list, which fills the man out of
job with dismay, has already dwindled
down to two places, the first and third
assistant secretaryships for the mere
laborers are capable men of long stand
ing, the private secretary has already
been appointed, the authorized conf
Dental clerk has never been and is not
required, and Mr.. Adee has been con-
tinued indefinitely as second assistant
The notices, although dated June 10,
were printed March l and signed by
Richard Olney, but Secretary Sherman
has ruled that they are to stand, so the
oiiice-seeker departs disconsolate.
Promotions Now in Order.
A similar condition of affairs applies
in the war and navy departments,
where the information is vouchsafed
chat no vacancies are apt to occur in
desirable places, but if they do promo
ton from the next lower grades is the
sole method of appointment. Under
these circumstances the rush for places
has already ceased in those depart
ments, and strong contrast is pre-
sented to the conditions which usually
prevail with changes of administra-
ton. Twelve years ago, when the
democrats first appeared for twenty
years and the slogan was turn the
rascals out, the business of these de-
partments was interrupted for months
by the terrific onslaught of victors af-
ter spoils. Eight years ago the effort
was almost as general, complicated by
the efforts of the "outs" for reinstate-
ment, and when Cleveland returned in
1898 hundreds of applications for
places We're vigorously and personally
pressed for few weeks. Now, how
ever, the ineffective rush has come
and passed altogether within three
days and the machinery of the depart
ments is grinding away as usual.
Blue for Place Hunters.
The only vacancy in the navy depart
ment, that of chief clerk, has been
filled by the promotion of a man whom
Senator Don Cameron assisted to a
$1,000 clerkship sixteen years ago and
his old place is to go to a naval steno.
grapher of ten years service, the latter
position permitting the civil service
commission to designate a shorthand
writer of merit without political con-
sideration. An assistant secretary of
the navy to succeed Mr.. McAdoo is
Secretary Longs only patronage con-
Germ for months to come, perhaps
throughout his administration. In the
war department Gen. Alger has taken
as private secretary the stenographer
Of the Notifications board and the as
sistant secretaryship now filled by Gen.
Doe is all that is left at his disposal.
The only possibility in these three de-
partments for rewarding political
workers lies in the improbable action
of President Mckinley by executive
order abolishing the extension of the
al Cd -.
Even the Consular Service Shut Out.
The consular service, to which the
party workers have hitherto looked for
compensation, is also included in the
class to which examinations are pre-
requisite as far as concerns all con-
sulates or commercial agencies the
salary of which is not more than S., 500,
including fees, or less than 81 ,OOO
these amounts including nine-tenths of
them. Elaborate circulars detailing
all the orders and regulations affecting
the permanency of the consular service
and the restrictions to entering it are
being distributed freely by the state
department through congressman and
those who claim to have influence,
with the effect of totally deterring the
greater portion of applicants who have
had dreams of foreign travel and
sojourn, and those who personally
seek Secretary Sherman learn addi-
tionally that he intends not only to en-
force these regulations, but gradually
to extend them above and below their
existing limitations.