The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

Got His Deserts.

E. W. Oyster was once one of the most prominent Republicans in Pennsylvania. For many years he held a responsible position in the Government Printing Office at Washington by the grace of Republican administrations, and after Garfield's inauguration was a prominent applicant for the position of Public Printer.

When Cleveland became President Mr. Oyster was found to be among the great army of office-holders who did not want to go, but who preferred to sacrifice his self-respect in order to stay. So he played the Mugwump dodge and pretended to be a good Democrat. He succeeded better than he hoped, for he was given a better office, which he held during Mr. Cleveland's administration.

So enthusiastic was his friendship for the latter that during the last campaign he compiled Democratic campaign documents, among others the one purporting to give Gen. Harrison's "Chinese record." He also was active in raising money, and did this by assessing the employees under him.

No sooner was the result of the election known than Mr. Oyster, like hundreds of others of his kind, began to hedge. He discovered that he had a record as a Republican in the dim past and worked it for all it was worth.

When the new administration came in he was to all appearances a reconstructed Republican. But the administration was not so easily blinded as its predecessor. It was onto Mr. Oyster's peculiar ways, and on Thursday of this week he was notified that he might seek among his mugwump friends for employment. Mr. Oyster's case is one of a good many that need similar treatment.