The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-22
in THE CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSIONER HARLOW'S VIEWS ON
OFFICE SEEKERS AS A CLASS.
Some Queer Cases Which Come Before
the CiviI-Service CommisisOn-NO-
ton of buying influence"
Washington Post.

i
pessimistic telegram to his relatives and
friends and departed for parts unknown,
disguised and discouraged by his experience
| at Washington. This was but one instance
| of many that annually occur at Washing
| ton. Usually, the unsuccessful seekers
| after office spend their money and then drop
| out of sight unnoticed. Only once in
| great while, as in this case, which happened
| the other day, some publicity is given
the facts. In this respect the recent case
is exceptional. In other respects it is par
alleled by scores of other mems experiences.
Hundreds of men from distant points raise
mony all their available possessions and
come to Washington in the hope of securing
a government job. At first they stop at
some high-class hotel, but their shoot-the
chute career speedily brings them to some
two-dollar-a -half-per-wee boarding
house. They spend their all waiting for the
place that meyer came, and finally wind up
at police headquarters in search of a ticket
home again. They are rarely ever noticed
in the whirl of the town.
1.-The Decline and Fall of the Office-seek-
err is a title that would be apropos for a
book as large as a doomsday record. Just
at this season of the year Washington fur
nishes more examples of fallen glories than
at any other time. The influx of office-seek-
ers always is Ia gest immed ately after p es-
idential inaugurations. Men from distant
States, especially where the elections were
close, believe that it was their single vote
that decided the election. Hence they come
to Washington about the ides of March. BY
June, about the time the President goes OFF
on his summer vacation, the number has
hardly diminished, although most of the
men are still wearing heavy winter cloth
ing, even into the dog days.
All of the disappointed ones hang on UNI
til the President returns from his vaca-
tiCn. They believe that as soon as things
are settled for the winter their cases Will
go dead easy. The first cold snap of WIN
ter finds them with little money. perhaps
heavily in debt to some clearinghouse
keeper-for they have left the hotels long
of getting an appointment. Even then
the more persevering hang on until Con-
gress opens, but about that time a reali-
cation of the futility of their efforts over
powers them, and those who have not al
ready dropped off into oblivion speedily
follow the road pursued by that unfortunate
office seeker who blew an $4,000 in search of
q job since last March.
HAUNTS OF THE OFFICE SEEKERS.
There are three places in Washington most
frequented by the office seekers. The White
House, the Civil-service Commission and the
offices of the appointment clerks for each
department. Few of the office seekers per-
severe long at the White House. except
those who have strong congressional influ-
ence. The vast majority of office seekers
lack that fortunate quality, however, and
are simply seeking government places in the
departments. For them the Civil-service
Commission is the shrine of future hopes.
The office seekers who go first to the APP
pointment clerks always wind up at the
C1VIl-service Commission. and there are
enough scenes and incidents to be seen
daily at the commission to - another large
book. The majority of the people who come
to Washington to get under the government
DO not know that every government place
in Washington is classified under the civil
service, except the grade of laborer and
places Hlled by presidential appointment. III
these outsiders have ever heard of the civil
service 1t is only in vague way, and few
realize that before they can be appointed
they must be examined as to their fitness,
and that then vacancies only can be filled
IT the many people who came here with
fanciful ideas of soft, easy government
berths with small hours and large pay,
happen to read what Civil-service Commits
sloner Harlow has to say on their pilgrim
chances that they will hesitate long and
earnestly before taking the trip.
Although it is to regretted that so many
people come here to Washington with the
idea of getting a government position, said
Commissioner Harlow, there is a reason
for it all which it is not hard to understand.
The hours of the government EMPLOYEES are
but about IS per cent of the time demanded
for a days work at other pursuits. In adj
double. 1t is not surprising that a man en-
ployed in small city and drawing perhaps
$50 or $50 a month should wish to come to
Washington and work less time for much
greater pay. These men do not consider
that the cost of living in Washington is
much greater than it is in smaller city,
and also that there is great demand for
these places. They would be far better off
if they remained in the smaller cities and
did not come to Washington in search of
government place with short hours and big
pay. 1t certainly does not avail them any
thing to come to Washington at all. since
ciVil-ScrVce examinations are held in two
or more cities in every State twice year
IAN incident happened last February
just before the inauguration, that may be
cited. A man from out West, fairly well
educated, came here in search of a position.
1t seems that the people of his country dis
covered that no one from that particular
county was under the government at WASH
ington. They considered that their county
ought to be represented here. So they Sc
lected this man to come to Washington.
'rThey hunted up a blue book somewhere
and selected some position in one of the
departments with moderate salary, which
this man believed was just the place Tor
him.
SENT BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION.
''When he was ready to start, however
they discovered that he did not have money
enough to carry him through and keep him
here until the inauguration, which was
month off then. So they raised the money
among themselves and loaned it to him
until he should get his government position
When he reached Washington he had about
$50 to last him until after the inauguration
when he supposed that he would have no
difficulty in obtaining this particular posi-
ton. When he called at the department,
however, he was informed that it was in
the civil service, and was referred here.
saw him when he called and explained the
situation to him.
THE surprising part of this case was the
way in which he accepted the situation. He
took it in a philosophical manner, and very
cheerfully began to wonder how he would
get back home again. suggested that he
try and get work on the reviewing stands
which were being erected along the avenue.
He was a carpenter. and said he would try
al once. | suppose he succeeded, because he
did not come back here again. just before
home there is one thing l can say which
will repay me for the trip I've seen the
Capitol building
Another peculiar thing happened the
other day. man whose hair was tinged
with gray came in. I suppose he about
forty years of age. He thought he was en-
titled to especial consideration because his
father had been a soldier and he was now
an orphan"
These instances cited by Commissioner
Harlow are but a few of the many which
happen nearly every day. a number of can
didates will always endeavor to receive
some especial favor in order that they may
make higher percentage. A man called on
Commissioner Harlow the other day and
asked to see him privately. Then he leaned
not some way by which he could manage
TO get tip that would give him d bigger
percentage
well. yes" replied Commissioner Harlow.