The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-09-28
WAITING FOR A JOB IN
WASHINGTON.

A TELEGRAM to go to Washington
n in the interest of a friends candi-
dacy for an appointment SHARED
a coat pocket with the morning paper
announcing the prospective departure
from Washington of some Of the pow
ers that be. They were going on a hunt
ing trip for a week. Two stogies far
Their along the line and other dailies
purchased through the car window re-
peated the same, adding that the hunt
ing party would leave the next day
Much depended upon seeing them be-
fore they left Washington. The time
table held out hope of an hours chance
for an interview. Nothing remained
but to loathe the Louis XVI hunt, burn
q stoeie in the fire of another revOlu-
ton and trust to getting that one hour
chance by the grace of Providence ana
the Pennsylvania railroad.
1t pleased the gods just once TO eXpe-
dfte the course of TIE stranger within
the gates OF Washington, even 70
breaking down the hauteUr Of the coll
ored gentlemen who keep guard at the
doors of the great men. The miracle
which obtained this prompt audience
with a senator must Rave been wrought
bv the incarnation on the calling card
that the visitor was from a somebody
related in some way TO the senator's
wifes sisters husband somewhere.
Subsequent developments furnished
further proof Of the potency Of rela-
tionship. the talismaE which swings
open the political portals while plain
patriots without connections are left
to drape themselves over the reception
room furniture. What boots it to bear
a message that the press, the pulpit,
the bench the bar and senators from
Maine TO California indorse a candidate
in letters. petitions and kilograms jack
eted in q departmental file while
statesman's wife's cousin knocks the
persimmOn?
This senatorial wire forthwith pulled
another wire at "a department. and the
head thereat telephoned back that the
case in particular would "be kept open.
certainly. senator" pending the return
of the powers from the hunting trip.
Ard this closed the incident of quick
action. There was 10 relationship but
ton to press at the doors Of those who
came after.
The experience at those doors is the
common experience of him in Wash
/ ingtOn on q political missiOu-the story
OF the waiting side Of Washington.
This business leads you for wander
ing days through the corridors of the
/ capitol: it holds you in hours of sus-
/ pense in committee rooms; it compeis
you 20 sit for your turn among a dozen
other sitters in department offices: it
Tolls you around hotel Hobbies and it
twirls your thumbs in reception rooms
for heaven knows now long.
Be it known, of course. that this be-
falls you when you seek the busy
statesman. The new member is found
readily enough. Indeed. your visit
! electrifies him with a realization that
his presence in congress has been dis
covered. Before your arrival his medi-
tatiOns probably were confined to
change in lifelong views concerning
trousers ana boots He is reaching the
point Of cheerfuuy sacrificing a Prince
Albert coat made by the best tailor i'm
his home town. He hes already given
away a silk hat which, when be bought
it at the leading store in Squashtown.
was the pride and wonder OF his heart,
and he is coming 20 be family conscious
Of the fact that the wearing OF white
cambria neckties during the day is call
culated to cause misunderstanding
Why my dear fellow, Glad to see
you,"
Certainly he is. and presses you into
the Capitol cafe TO beam his JOY upon
You over a friendly glass.
DO anything in my. power to help
YOU. Of course"
He has sent out garden seed by the
( carload distributed stacks Of literature
about potato BUGS and grub worms and
is only waiting for Providence to speed
the apotheosis Of the elect.
But it's another proposition 20 get the
attention of the working members. the
floor leaders and the wheelhorscs. who
wade through papers and figures i'm the
night hours. bury themselves in conn
m.ttee rooms with heavy black cigars
through the day, attend formal dinners