The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-13
The Passing Regiment.

Washington Post: Have you seen the
regiment which passes in daily review
before President Mckinley?
Part of the great army of office-seek-
ers it musters itself. Its roles are made
up of privates, for no one in the regt-
ment outranks his fellow. No drill SER
geant enforces discipline. Its members
pass and repass at the White House as
they list The only tactics are those
, of hungry soldiers foraging for rations
each for himself. Take glance at
these privates and their musteringin
papers.
Private Jones nominated Comrade
Mckinley for president ten years ago
and brought many stragglers into
camp. He has letters from Governor
| Mckinley bearing dates 1894 1896. He
wants the postoffice though it won't be
vacant for a year. Already there is a
weary look in his eyes, but he keeps
step with the regiment.
] Private Thompson has been in Wash
I ington since March 8. He made stump
speeches and has testimonials from the
local committees. which paid him in
that way. He wants to be consul some
where. His coat is shiny; his trousers
are frayed. and he marches out of time
and out of line.
The Rev. Mr. Blank felt impelled to
take part in politics last year from a
deep sense of duty. He has the letter
from Major McKinley's secretary ac-
knOwledging the receipt of his sermon
from the text. Silver is become drOss.'
isaiah i, 22.) He has also the clipping
from his home paper telling how the
opposition was overwhelmed in con-
fusion when he showed that Abraham,
in purchasing the first burial plot,
Machpelah. from EDhron, the Hittite.
weighed the 400 ShekelS of silver given
in payment. The Rev. Mr.. Blank came
to Washington undecided between an
army chaDlaincy and the consulate of
Jerusalem. He brought with him a
strong letter of Endorsement from his
bishop. He had been surprised to find
so many other brethren of the cloth
who are also hating between an army
chaplaincy and the Jerusalem consul
ate; and who. likewise. have letters
from their bishops. He will leave it
all in the hands of Brother Mckinley,
conscious that real merit will be recOg-
nized.
Private Smith has a record as a
worker He carries the Endorsement OF
his local committee and his congress
man. He wants the collectorship. His
papers have been through the depart
ment. As he goes to the White House
his step is brisk and his air confident.
Private Billson used to live in Ohio
He set the Mckinley campffres burning
in his section. and kept them aglow.
His congressman has another candidate
for the place he wants, but he is ag-
gressive and independent and marches
with a lively step.
Private Black was an Original He
came 10 Washington to accept some
thing good. and is surprised to find so
many other originals in the ranks.
yet he marches buoyantly forward.
Private White marshaled the colored
troops for Colonel Mckinley. He has
Mark Hanna's certificate that the rail-
road tickets TO st. Louis were not mis-
applied He knows that the recognition
promised for his race will be sufficient
if he gets his Office.
Private Brown has been in the ranks
before. He has discharge papers from a
previous national administration. I'm
fortunately he was in the wrong camp
before the St. Louis convention, and he
limped a little during the campaign.
But he has had experience in political
soldering. He knows how TO keep in
front. and he is not easily discouraged.
lie talks of past services and of future
glory. His old uniform is getting tat
tered. but he wears it with a jaunty air
He looks hungry. yet he talks as
though appetite was nothing to him.
1t is a regiment without assertions.
Its ranks seem not TO be thinned by the
rare promotions which occur. How long
will the daily review last? Till the ra-
tons have all been given out by Presi-
dent Mckinley.