The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-01-13

wards. And there's something about
the pOpulace that makes it watch the
baltic k a Johnny ~ShadoWing a
stage entrance. Tha must be why
the newspapers are full of jobs and
job hunting.
Even Suspect Brides and Groonls.
If l did not know from personal
knowledge hat in North Carolina and
in one or two other States there are
several hundred people who do not
"a government jobs, / would be
firmly convinced by a few months'
observation here that everybody in
the United States is either hunting
or lying awake nights trying to keep
a political job. There are Congress-
men here who would swear that ev-
cry man who comes to Washington
has designs OF the Federal treasury.
They even suspect the brides and
grOOms and the eXcursiOnists. A con-
stituent who calls without endorsing
himself or somebody else or angling
for an invitation to lunch is regarded
as most suspicious: If a constituent
Is neither strapped nor hunting for a
government job. why should he come
to Washington?
This suspicion naturally exists only
in certain individual congressman. 1t
does not exist in a secretary to a Con-
gresham during the first day or two
OF his. services. All secretaries who
have been in their places as much
as a week, however. know absolutely
hat the whole world wants nothing
but a government job. If not. for
himself, his brother, his cousin. his
creditor, his friend.
The Suspicious Newspaper Men.
Newspaper men are even more sus-
picious. Name and residence will
sometimes reveal a Tar Heels mis-
sion. The first question is What
| are you here for?" and the answers
are an education. The States most
experienced politicians usually un-
burden at once if the mission is not
a ticklish one. If it is, they have
come in he interest Of somebody who
seems to have trouble in landing such
and such a job, this being, of course,
aside from the main purpose of their
coming. 1t works about once in three
but it creates toll for the newspaper
man.
The less experienced visitor is stop
ping over on his way to or from
baltimore. 1 know just why Balti-
more and Washington are SO close to-
gether. Lott Of people who come
here on their way to Baltimore"
couldn't name it's principal street or
it's leading hotel. And yet they &c
and come to and from Baltimore right
along leaving a web Of work for cor
respondents who set about uncover
ing their real tracks
Least inexperienced of all with
Washington correspondents is the
man who has come sightseeing OF
who is spending a couple Of days with
his wife's cousin-in-law, despite the
fact that his name is on the Raleigh
hotel register. Eve seen hundreds OF
people on sightseeing autos here al
nno TINA or another hllf we vet r.
see a North Carolinian on one unless
he was a groom and couldn't ge'
away. h sightseers are all from
the Middle West
Jobs and the Perspective
When our Legislators spend abou
two-thirds of their time talking o.
writing to their constituents abOu
jobs, when the awarding Of one post
office may break a COngreSSman's re
turn with a ticket from the people
when nearly all who come here from
the State are pushing somebody for
lob. when the government depart
ments are full Of clerks jealous of tn
man above them-all in all. it is small
wonder that Washington sometime
feels it's clutch slipping and prays 70
a turn that. will restore its perspect
i've.
Perspective is such a fascinatin;
word when applied to Washington
hat it deserves something beside.
honorable mention. 1t deserves more
much more. than l. can give it in
letter which l am planning fer anoth
! er time. You ant explain this Wash
ington perspective any more than yo'
can say why Washington correspond
ents write about nothing but jobs
But it's worth a try.
Spelling and Shaft Breaking.
=. But here's something on anothe