The Washington times., 1905-06-25
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS


In the first days of the civil service
away back in the eighties-the author OF
THE Life Story of a Department Clerk a
young Indiana lawyer, to Washington
to accept a clerkship in the Office Of the
Assistant Attorney General. having ''the
drearniest sort of a dream that he had
planned his way into the Office of the At
torney General.
He describes his entry into the service
OF the Government and the shocks to his
dignity. administered not only by the 'lordiy
watchn1an,' but by future associates.
He tells how he plunged into the routine
work of applying the little law in printed
pamphlets to letters of inquiry.
The reader is made acquainted with his
ro room he chief. "a man a. OF nifty or
hearty in manner, with puffy eyelids, I'M
kempt. profane; hard drinker. gambler.
kind to everyone; lawyer by courtesy
only and one who owes his position 10 a
campaign speech. the second N authority,
Mr.. Macpherson. tall extremely taciturn.
"a lawyer by virtue OF general legal
knowledge as extended and accurate says
the writer. 'tas any I have ever encoun-
tered Irishman, O'Mara, about thirty
years old. "suave. fluent, tempered,
talents VITO knew little law, spent much
time in gassing the gerls. and who da-
Widow sd slie Ms Erroi Who pl was ni appointed
through the influence Of her husbands
friends and an unmarried woman, the
Dragonfiy," who seemed to rely for her Office
standing upon the intimate friendship with
a member of the National Senate.
The FIRST year passes by before the author
realizes It He ENJOYS living the llfe'' In
big city, which affords diversions unattain-
able IL the small community from which he
came. Nevertheless he does not devote all
his spare moments TO pastiIne. for he pursues
his studies in the endeavor to get diploma
from school Of law So passes the first
winter and tie next
Then comes event which brings about
e. change in all The chief of the division
dies. and Mara becomes his successor, al
though fellow-clerks believe Macpherson en-
titled TO the promotion Yis it is Mr
o Mara and I'm sorry you are disappointed,
says the appointee in noting the look Of
surprise On ire face OF the WRITER macpher-
quietly ulake= arrangements to leave the
division, ana the writer takes steps to do
likewise. His Judgment tells him to go
saek t6 s PRIDE fe nun I. s.,S s'a a
rains a tranefer, o. Mara lending his aid
He learns WIN surprise that his new posi-
ton is clerksbip, requiring no legal at
tafnrIlents; but reconciies himself. as best
he cam the bed he has made and has
to lie upon
o. Mara in the meanwhile reaps praises
from the newspapers for the 'reorganiza-
ton" of the division.
scramble after 2lums kills the last of the
writer's theories the merit system as then
enforced and he accepts the advice OF Mr.
Macpherson TO Join and help rum the In
diana Republican Association. lest IL run MIN
OUT of tie service Attacks are made on
his oua,ifcations for membership through the
Vaccinations of O. Mara, but an unexpected
friend is found in Colonel Powell. the new
assistant attorney general and conscientious
public servant, and the writer wins IN MS
fight for Office in the association He secures
transfer TO the office directly under the su-
pervision of Colonel Powell and is made
happy by q chance to return 10 legal work He
undertakes the labor of compiling the laws
which AFFECT his department In the mean
while he brings from Indiana girl VINO
had been trained 10 think the naKlhg o. a
home for her husband and her cniieren the
best Work God could give her Days begin
in which the sun touches every lea1 and
blade of grass with gold
The writer rejects a promising opportunity
TO return to his home town and practice
law. 4-
witt, the approval of the compiler.s friends
Colonel Powell and Macpherson. ne aep pa,
ncation 10 the man who did the work That
goes to the Secretary.
Annie. plunge the young Aoosier INTO oep''
and though friends lend assistance ard cele-
brate the birth of the child by arranging q
salary increase, every day hnos ,ouote
o: nara is detected in an act OF insubordi-
nation and dismissed He falls on his feet
and IS made district agent of a great con-
DigEi;.g persistently along, though not con-
tent TO dig the Indisnian develops into q
S Spaeis fe Chance for promotion & offered
through an examination, but they are dashed
eraze he made was reduced by poor mark
In letter writing The winners OF the ex-
executive power. and philip Schuyler is. after
all. called upon 10 assume the dHties OF {
Of saIary VIII be settled later He hnds gu,
later through Colonel Powell that all the sub
who could not carry the responsibilities.
In the endeavor 10 add TO his income
Schuyler determines 70 become an insur-
this side issue" and reiinquishes II be
cause his conscience revolts against the theft
Of time belonging to the Government he
has talk with his Congressman, who says
he would ike to help him 70 get the in
creased salary that belongs 70 his position,
and who INDUCES in a TRADE against the
little iceberg in the White. House ,whoss
chances. in his home State OF Indiana, he De.
clares are not worth two whoops in heN.''
Schuyler learns through Powell that some
one else is 10 be appointed nominal chief
Of hts division, but that he is expected to
continue the actual work. Schuyler accepts
the advice OF a friend 70 30 home on a cam
plow deep with that Cleveland crowd; and If
he (Harrtson) wins he Will read5ust that
chiefship business right enough" He re-
ceives great ovation on his arrival IN his
Intense enthusiasm and complimentary no
tees IN the home newspaper are the re
wards OF SCHUYLER spseehnskin n ana c me
gresham concerning Powell and Schuyler
What they don't know about practical poll
tics would sink q ship: they talk ike the
whole dictionary let loose. but the two of
them together amt got ten votes In their
results. The election proves 10 be Demo
cratic landslide. and Philip returns TO Wash
ingtcn crestfailen.
He ands that those who thought the cause
of civil reform would not piow deep during
the Cleveland Administration were greatly
mistaken, few changes being made for poltt-
zeal reasons except among bureau chiefs
Judge Wheat. from Boston. becomes the
Assistant Attorney General and announces
that he viii unite the salary and the work OK
the chiefsnfD In the division In which
Schuyler works and judge Of the merit of
the man 70 be appointed by the record OF
~bis labcrs
20 Mara's sighting record Of Schuyler s
services Is taken from It's pfSeonhoie. Judge
Wheat expresses his disappointment, and
ctuyler meditates that II is hard to recon
himself to the thought that O Nara and
gambling partner sttsl had influence
lEh TO make him suffer.