San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-03-07

llupulSe ludl lOECtS the dNcIdSc ALLCl-
lean to the political pie counter, for
thousands of them give up situations
that pay better returns in dollars and
cents to join the impecunious hordes
around the pie counter.
This is one of the peculiarities of the
situation, and it only serves to show
that the appetite for political pie is
unnatural and unhealthy as that for
pastry pie. The stigma fastens upon
us as a nation Of political pie eaters
rs surely as that we are nation of
pastry pie eaters. The tendency to de
mand place, pie, as the reward of pO-
litical service, is one of the most per
niciOuS of all our political habits The
spectacle of nation running in herds,
like flock Of sheep through gap in
the fence, asking for place. whenever
there is a vacancy in office, is any
thing but Creditable to our independ-
ence or our business tact. With every
change of a state administration the
applicants for place are thousands,
and with every change of national ad-
miniStratiOn the number is legion.
From one town in one state in the
Republic of the United States there
are over two scores applications for
consulate pie. This whole hasting to
catch the crumbs that fall from the
pie counter is degrading. 1t is 4 con-
fessiOn that brains are not sufficient
for the competitions of private business
and that the more favorable positions
of official life are needed to make good
the lack. And yet this is not lue, for
many give up positions that pay bet
ter in private business to occupy pub
lie positions. These exceptions are
worthy of note, for the prove that the
evil of official pie hunting is n deep
seated one. ingrained in the national
character. requiring great wisdom to
correct its tendencies. 1t would he
hard to say why the boy prefers pie
to other food just as palatable. 1t is
just as hard to say why the boy grown
man wants political pie, when other
business pays him better.
The average American boy grows up
with the idea that offs" is something
to be desired. He sees it struggled
for. bartered for, self respect lost in
the hustle for the pie counter, man
hood lowered in the attempt to sue
coed in the hunt, and he gets the err
roneous impression that to hold office
is the great distinction. He looks for
ward to being man that he can hold
office He thinks his dignity as n
member of society is increased. He
sees how the men whom he looks to
as examples, pa and uncle" hustle
for office and pay court to those who
are in place in order to get their feet
on the first step of the pie round, and
he grows up with Il determination to
get there himself. This feeds the dis
position, and thus from generation to
generation the breed is perpetuated.
1t is by no means the best American
specimen.
Public office is Il distinction, some
times an enviable one, sometimes an
unviable one, but it is distinction.
There are people who would rather
reign in hell than serve in heaven, but
the average public official serves in
hell, but he cannot see it and where
ignorance is bliss it is folly to be wise.
There are those who would rather be
original fools than be anOther's copy,
and these office hunters are not among
the number, for they are imitatOrs of
very foolish and hurtfuI and PERM
ciOus example. Office holders there
must be, but these should be chosen
by the people and not thrust upon
them. The man who takes office to-
day, takes it as the kingdom of heaven
was said to be taken, by force. The
office is not dignified thereby. The
supposed dignities of office and the
power that comes of political kind
in the holding of office and the lesser
hours of labor in ordinary office life,
these are among the reasons for the
rush to the pie counter.
The Light preacher raises his voice
this morning, taught by the spectacle
at Washington now and in the past,
warning the youth of his congregation
against the habit of pie hunting. Let
those who are confirmed in the habit
live in it and die in it,but if you would
save your manhood. your self respect,
rest easy. sleep sOundly, be free from
veXatiOns. enjoy life. live long, have
Il wife and children to whom you be-
long. Then shun the pie counter. The
desire for pie is like that of the gam
bier. the betting man in any avenue
| of chance, it grows with the growth,
strengthens with the strength, until
| mess. and it is itself the poorest bust
ness in the world. There is no man
fit for office who cannot make more
money out of office and make it easier
than he can make it in office.
Be warned. Let others crowd the
steps of the departments at Washing,
ton and at Austin and of every capital
in the land begging for pie, but do not
| YOU do it. Let others beseech theil
friends, and badger their acquaintan
Ces. and bother strangers to endorse
their application for office, but refuse
to Join the innumerable thrOng thai
moves to the pie counter. Otticla
life is not the way to wealth. 1t il
seldom the road to honOrs. 1t is the
great highway of temptation. BE-
warned in time My Beloved! Wher
the siren song of the pie hunter Ii
ringing in your ears. turn your steps
steadfastly away. Take hold OF
some sound business. Join not the pie
| ontinp coryud Sn shall thy wears bt