Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-10
Special correspondence.)


 Washington, D. C., Aug. 1O.-While the recent exploitation of grating in the departments of the government is interesting and coupled with the expose of similar corruption in busi- ness and politics. has served a pur- pose by directing public attention to its existence. is it not possible that considerable more noise has been made than is justifable? This ques- tiOn may be answered by a brief re- view of the conditions prevailing in the public service. and It will he well. before condemning those against whom suspicion is now directed. to take into consideration the important fact that they are merely part and a small part of the system which ex- department of the government. Furth- CT. one should remember that as the departments are great business organ izatiOns, they are modelled on the lines of other businesses. and it is reason able to expect that practices prevail ing in private business will be found in the departments. Theoretically, higher standard of conduct may be set for public servants than for cor pOration employees and possibly it may be truthfully said that as pub lie office is a public trust the public | service is conducted on the whole more cleanly than would be the case of private corporation doing the same amount of business. Yet human | nature is pretty much the same, and | ,,-h; ;o above the average of private service of similar magnitude, there can be but certain margin and as grafting | spreads in private business it may be l expected to grow in the public busi- ness in about the same proportion. l Therefore, it's existence in the de- partments should occasion no sur prise, and as it has been known so long, though perhaps not so publicly exploited, the exclamation, expostu- | lati0ns and explanations which follow in the wake of the recent revelations are source of some amusement to cynical observers.
 | Incidentally the question arises as to what standard shall be set; shall conduct tolerated and even applaud ed in private life be condemned if discovered in the public service. and finally, what are ''perquisites' and what is "graft?" When the public understands the situation better and considers the above more carefully it will be in better position to cope with the evil.
 To one familiar with department life it is as easy to trace the line of graft through the departments as it is for hound to follow scent. It is like a stream originating in pure and limpid lake, its crystal waters finally reaching the ocean a discolored slug gish movement of mud emptying through dozen mouths; yet it is water from start to finish. At the door of every bureau chief stands a colored messenger. In almost every instance he smokes and appreciates the gift of good cigar. Consequent ly the frequent callers who recognize this fact and occasionally remember his thus, earns his good will. The salary of a messenger is small, usual ly not more than S60 per month, ire. quently4 less; he has a wife, one er0t | t"O PN'hopS iiViN' he has been a waiter and accustomed to "tips;" in such cases anything from quarter up is acceptable. No harm in that; this is the pure source of the stream But messenger has ears, he also has eyes: he often can give valuable hints: on desk may lie cer- tain papers hurried inspection of which might be of great advantage in securing a contract. If such happened to be the case it Is just possible that a person who would like very much to have a glance at the papers in qucs- ton and who had been liberal with cigars and quiet tips, might be afford ed the much-desired opportunity. A slight discoloration in the stream is now noticeable.
 Inside the door are hundred clerks. their salaries ranging from 5000 to S1.SO0 per annum: not enough in a city like Washington to provide any great luxuries for family of growing children seeking education, and affording small opportunity to accumulate anything by economy and saving. Savings banks pay and per cent: fortunate real estate in yestment is better. but at best the process is painfully slow. "A" is a new nine hundred dollar clerk, young and ambitious, studying law ar medi' cine at one of our excellent night schools. In his studies he needs pen cils. pens. paper. ink. He begins by writing his letters on government stationery during lunch hour-only q little ink and paper. Then he has something of his own that must be done and he takes half an hour of time in the office when work is slack here 1t is time added to ink and pa per Then he needs tablet. some pens. a pencil. they are small. why should he not put them in his pocket and carry them away Further down is Mir R. with an interesting baby boy. Mir B has noticed the bouncing halls made of rubber bands and thinks one would be fine for the baby A few old bands each day-what harm if A new one slips in occasionally:- ! and baby Is pleased. Mir C is the di' vision chief or maybe bureau chief Wrap up that bottle of paste. and a bottle of ink. some blotters and few pens" he says to his messenger. "and take them to my house. have some work to do at home" When you are making some more boxes, says inc assistant secretary to the depart ment carpenter. just fix up half a dozen for me and send them up tr 1 my house. I am going to move and