The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-03-09
Washington Letter.
WAsH1SeroN, D. c., MARCH a, i,

the transfer OF activity to numberless COM
munities and political divisions conditions
have assumed a more subdued aspect here
IN this regard. In the peculiar economy
OF American politics nominations are prac-
tically made by the precinct, the township
or the county before they receive ostensi-
BILE confirmation at the district or state
conventions. Many are the official in-
cumbents here who have their ears to the
ground and their hands on the public
pulse in order to detect the first forebod-
ing OF waning strength or impending de-
feat. The power to forecast and interpret
the atmospheric symptoms on the political
horison with accuracy is one of the finer
arts of the skilled politician. Party favor
and party reward is largely contingent up
on proficiency in securing and retaining
popularity, or political strength. Ona of
the most strenuous local contests in the
country of late perhaps, and one whose
outcome has been watched with interest
from here. IS that of Captain Hull and
Judge Prouty, of Des Moines. This may
be due in measure to the prominence of
Captain Hull in Congress and his extern
sive acquaintance at this place. The Ca
reers of prominent politicians and ofici-
ais seem to lend force to the assertion Of
ten made that one of the principal elements
contributing to success in this line of en-
deavor is luck. Some men rise with aston
fishing rapidly, and opposition seems to
vanish before them. They make dalliance
of things that to others are insurmount
able difficulties, and seem to lead charme
lives. 1t may be that they are opportun-
lists, and that they possess that inestimable
sixth sense of divining their supreme OPP
portunities, and do not neglect the tide
which comes in the affairs of men, and
leads on to fortune. In the labyrinthine
completely of our governmental service
may be found the political adventurer. the
soldier of fortune, and the Don Quixotic
purst. All are subject to the same laws
of survival, and the rarity of complete
mastery of the science is evident from the
constant and sometimes sweeping changes
that occur.
There is one class of people which serves
its country without much hope of honor,
and into the gray light of their humdrum
live, the bright rays of prospective or
present promotion and advancement pene-
trate but scantily. 1t is the department
clerk, and he is legion. The pathos of it
is that he was once the pride and hope of
some community. and when he succeeded
in getting government appointment, %
he was regarded as being we'll on the road
to cabinet Office or the presidency. and
it was felt that now his genius would be
known and recognized. But in the course
of years his expectant friends and neigh.
bors came to dispair of his success and re.
noun, and either felt that he had been
grossly over estimated, or that he had moi
been given his just dues. and before the
matter had been solved he had practically
passed under the clutch Of oblivion. The
, truth is the captains and generals of the
service are mostly benehciaries of politi
cal victories, and the rank and file hav.
but little room for advancement Anc
then the allurements of Washington beck
on and plead for recognition, and usual,
get it. 1t is we'll known psychological
fact that people from whom is demanded
prolonged and exacting mental application
especially if it be of routine character
crave relaxation and amusement in thei
leisure moments, and they do not easil
find them sufficiently exciting in the con
ventional past times approved by the Ep
worth League and the Y. NJ. C. A. Whe
the clerk finally awakens to the hopeless
ness of his position he is sometimes oil
! and broken in spirit; often degenerate an
in ruined health, generally untitled 70
other employment. and lacking in the nee
essary ambition to save himself. Conse
quently we have the sad spectacle of su
perannuated clerks galore, without an
savings from their years of toll, and onl
the nausua of i'll spent lives remains
These suggestions do not cover the entir
department service. In fact they may nc
be applicable to large portion of it. Blu
with reference to real, though indefnat
part of the service it is not overdrawn
maintain that subordinate government
clerkship as life calling is one of tn
least desirable of all the pursuits of me
who have the mental calibre and eouir
ment necessary to secure such place. A
a temporary employment it is tolerable
provided plans are laid which will insur
release at definite or appointed time
Unless arrangements are made to get GU
the probabilities are that after the lapse G
many years the clerk will find himself on
of body of old, worn out, broken dow
and penniless department clerks, clamol
ing for pension, and blaming everyon
but himself for his failure to lay ASIDE
competence out of the thousands of do
lars drawn. from the government and sper
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