The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-06-18
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS.

SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS.
IN the first days OF the civil service
away back In the eightfes-the author OF
young Indiana lawyer, came to Washington
TO accept q clerkship IN the ONCE Of the
drean:est sort Of 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 "lordly
watchulan." but by future associates.
He tells how he plunged Into the routine
work Of applying ''the little law In printed
pamphlets 10 letters of inquiry.
roonanates. he CHIEF, "a man Of fifty or
ffty-flre years. short. and half fat. over
heart, hearty in manner, with puffy eyenas, nn-
kind to everyone:. lawyer by courtesy
only and one who ores his position to a
MIR. Macpherson. o tan. extremely taciturn.
thin-lipped, acknowledgements individual,
"a lawyer by virtue of general legal
knowledge as extended and accurate" says
the writer. as any I have ever encoun-
tered" an Irishman. O'Mara- about thirty
and fine advertising agent of his own
talents who knew little law. spent much
time in .gassing the gerls.'' and who da,
widow. Mrs. Enrol, who was appointed
through the influence OF her husband
friends. and an unmarried woman. the
standing upon the Intimate friendship with
member of the National Senate
The first year passes by before the author
realizes it. He enjoys living the life in
big city, which affords diversions uns-ttain-
able in the small community from which he
came Nevertheless he does not deyote all
his spare moments TO pasttme. for ne pdrsues
his studies in the endeayor TO get a diploma
from a school Of law So passes the frst
winter and lie next
Then event which brings about
a change in all. The chief of the division
ar<d Mar laS IL
though fellow-clerks believe Macpherson en-
titled TO the promotion. fts. 1t Is MI:
says the appointee In noting the look of
surprise the face Of the writer. Macpher-
son quietly makes arrangements to leave the
division, and the writer takes steps to do
likewise. His Judgment tells him TO go
back home His pride urges him to stay
tains a transfer. o. Mara lending his aid.
He learns with surprise that his new posi-
ton is a cIerkstip. requiring legal at
ta.nIner,ts; but reconciies himself as best
he can. 10 the bed he has made and has
TO lie upon "
from the newspapers for the ''reorganiza-
ton of the division.
During the Harrison Administration the
scramble after piums kills the last OF the
writer's theories the merit system as then
enforced. and ne accepts the advice ef Mr
Macpherson TO Join and help run the In
diana Republican Association, lest it run HIN
CUT of service. Attacks are made on
his qualifications 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 his
fight for Office in the association. He secures
q transfer to the Office directly under the su-
happy by a chance TO return to legal work. He
undertakes the labor of compiling the laws
which affect his department In the mean
while he brings from Indiana girl who
had been trained to think the making OF a
home for her husband and her children the
best work God could give her. Days begin
in which the sun touches every leaf and
blade of grass with gold.
70 return to his home town and practice
re volume of laws is finished and meets
with the approval of the compiler's friends.
Colonel Powell and Macpherson me depart
rnent however. gives no credit Tor the PUB.
neation 70 The ssa man VINO oid 'he worn nat
Home expenses and new arrival. BABY
ard though friends lend assistance and cele-
bra,e the birth of the child by arranging a
salary increase. every day nnos trouble
'tleaping on
o,Mara IS detected in an act Of ipsuboTdi t:
and is made district agent Of a great con-
tracing company.
Digging persistently along. though not con-
tent to dig. the Indianian develops into a
capable routine clerk His hopes grow high
when a chance for promotion is offered
70 the ground when he learns that the av-
srage he made was reduced by poor mark
animation men incapable TO FIJI post Of
executive power. and Philip Schuyler IS, after
all called upon to assume the duties OF
division chief He Is told that the question
Of salary will be settled later. He finds out
<SeAaE through Colonel Powell that all the sub
6tant!el recognition was given TO other clerks
who could not carry the responsibilities.
In the endeavor to edd 10 his income
Schuyler determines 20 become an insur-
ance agent. but he deyotes but one day to
this side issue" and relinquishes 1t be-
cause his conscience revolts against the theft
OF time belonging 10 the Government He
has a talk with his Congressman, who says
he would like to help him 70 get the in
creased salary that belongs TO his position.
and who INDUCES IN TRADE against the
little iceberg IN the White IIouse. whose
chances In his home State of Indiana, he de-
clares. are not worth two wiloops in he'll"
Schuyler learns through Powell that
one else IS 10 be appointed nominal chief
OF his division. but that he is expected to
continue the actual work. Schuyler accepts
the advice Of friend TO go home on q cam
paigning trip. because merit amt going to
plow deep with that Cleveland crowd; and IL
he (Harrison) wins he Will readjust that
chiefship business right enough" He
ceives a great ovation on his arrival in his
home town.