The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-01-17
PUBLIC OPINION
oe~e~e@eeoee~eees

offlce-holding and oftlce-seekers.
To the Editor OF The Gate City:
Office holding Is usually regarded as
quite honorable thing, and If the
holder Of an Office conducts the affairs
o. the position in proper manner.
credit is given not only to the holder
but is also reflected on the office.
Why then has it become distinct
slur to speak Of one as an office-seek-
or? The reason lies in the fact that
in the great majority of cases the pro-
fessional office-seeker is moved to
seek the office, not for the good Of the
people in. whose interests all offices
are supposed to be created, but for his
own selfish ends. The object which
moves the professional seeker after
public places is his own advancement.
He seldom cares whether he is fitted
for the place, or whether the people
wish to see him put in the place The
only question he asks is, "can I get 1t,
and what will it be worth to me?"
1t is not bad thing for one to
look out for self, but when this goes
so far as to take no thought Of the in
terests of others which may be in
yolved, then our motive is shamefully
selfish, and is the thing which has
brought reproach on the xoffice-seeker.
It has become one of the rarest things
for one whose name has been used,
even in the slightest degree, in con-
nection with any place which has
good pay attached to it. to be per-
fectly quiet and allow his name to be
used by his neighbors as they see fit.
No, as rule he must go roaming ov-
er the territory blowing his own horn,
passing out cigars, beer and money in
order to make sure If possible, that
he may get the place.
Why is he so anxious? Is 1t because
he really thinks the country will suf-
fer unless he gets the Office? Or is
his motiveat least SO times out of
every 100-that he is caring for him
self nrst, last and all the time? 1t
seems to me that if men had even a
shred of the sense of modesty in con-
nection with the getting of public
places, they would quietly wait and let
some one else do the telling of how
great and good and fitted for the
place such an one is, rather than for
that enc to be doing 1t himself;
when his real motive is not concealed
by SO much as the thinnest Of gauze
would conceal his person.
Would that all men knew of and
would try to follow the example of the
cid Roman Cincinnatus whose name
was before the distracted country that
he might be made dictator. Did he
roam the land seeking votes? He
stayed at home, and after he was
elected, they found him blowing his
field. After his genius or circum-
stance had settled the troubles of the
land, what did he do? Hang on to
the place for a second or third term,
for the sake of the pay? No, he re-
signs and goes back to his farm.
There had been nothing for him in
the way OF schedule of expenses on
campaign, no hasty promises made
which he could not fulfill. Nothing to
do but take hold Of the work and do
the best he cannot so much for him
self as for the people who put their
trust in him.
The fact of the matter Is that both
the public and the would-be Office
holders need educating along the line
of the purpose OF offices-that they are
first OF all, for the good Of the public
and that the man who is most anx-
ious to get public place is quite often
the least fitted to have 1t. Also that
the party who never speaks for him
self when Office is mentioned, may be
the very one who has given the mat
ter of the administration OF public
affairs the deepest study, and be the
man OF all men who should be en-
trusted with their direction.
K H. LOUIS.