Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-13
Office Brokerage.

There was the best of reason for the en-
actment in the District appropriation bill
Of last year, of n clause dAonlng as a
crime the vending of infiuence-Eor the pro
curement of office. place or promotion un-
der the District government Such a law
should in fact have been written before 1t
reflects a fundamental principle OF good
government. Its efficacy is now undergo
ing a test in the trial before the major of
police of a policeman accused of Offering
to procure a position for another upon the
payment of money. The law had been in
force for some months when the transac-
tons alleged took place. 1t was matter
Of public knowledge. and those engaged in
the nefarous enterprise, if such was in fact
under way knew full well the penalty they
risked by their transactions.
Whether the policeman accused in this
case is innocent or guilty it Is evident that
there is too much talk in the District about
offices being procurable by other than di-
rect and legitimate means. 1t is plain from
the testimony so far given that the posi-
bility of the applicant securing his desired
appointment by devious ways was SUBJ
ject of discussion between him and others.
An impression was created that 1t was
thus possible that the influence of certain
persons could be enlisted by middlemen
whose interest was aroused by the pay
ment of money. In short, 1T Is absolutely
plain that office brokerage was at least
claimed, and that the credulous. the lazy,
the mentally and physically incompetent
and the otherwise incapable applicants for
office were led to believe that they could
find sure road to appointment by cor
rupt means.
This is of itself an unwholesome state of
affairs. and the evil conditions are intensi-
fled If there is the least ground for the
claims of the would-be brokers' Not only
do their assertions weaken the condolences
and respect of others in the integrity OF
the officials but they demOralize those who
already hold places in the public service
The Office broker for hire is akin to and
would naturally at later stage become "A
blackmailer. If by some chance he had
found a way to Slip applicants through the
portals of public place he would not hest
tate to mulct them after they had been so
located. Threats of discharge often as
easily transmutable into cash as promises
of position. The man who would pay to
get an appointment is an easy victim after
he has been established by such means. He
is presumably in some respects incompe
tent, else he would not have chosen the
crooked route. Thus he is open to suspi
cion of unworthiness in office and a charge
to cause his dismissal would not be diff
cult of manufacture.
There is little choice between the man
who offers to procure place for pay and
the man who offers pay for place. The
law of last year provides for each class
punishment of not more than 1000 tine or
one years imprisonment. or both. Both
are offenders against the public interest
and If 1t should be proved that any such
transactions are in progress in the Dis
trict 1t is to be hoped that the authorities
will press prosecutions to the limit. And
il there are such bride takers there must
necessarily be some loopholes in the bar
riers which are supposed to stand between
the municipal service and this form of
corruption. They must be found and
stopped. and If any officials have connived
at such frauds they should be promptly
ousted from place and punished