American Republican And Baltimore Daily Clipper

World of Immigration. It is stated by a Washington letter writer, that a Mr. Baker, from Connecticut, who visited Washington in search of an office, but found none, finding himself out of funds, "scorned to fall back upon anything else than his own resources, and went to work at a dollar a day with the men who were grading the avenue. Mr. Abert, discovering him to be a man of worth and intelligence, made Baker a sort of overseer, so that he has comparatively an easy berth of it."

Baker acted like a discreet and sensible man, excepting that he should have employed his resources at home, instead of foolishly wasting time in seeking for an office. We have no doubt that he is an honest and industrious man, and that he would discharge the duties of any office within his capacity, with fidelity to the government. If all men would imitate Baker, and, instead of idling their time away in hopes of receiving an appointment, engage themselves in the first employment they could procure, we should not have so many discontented politicians, nor so great an eagerness for a division of the spoils. But, instead of this, at every change of administration, national, state or municipal, there is a perfect rush for office, and applicants quarrel for precedence, like dogs over a dead carcase. Each thrusts in his claim, as though life and death depended upon his success, and is ready to denounce the appointing power, should he fail to be gratified. It is thus that real merit is too often pushed aside and neglected, to make room for the vociferous brawler, who has nothing to recommend him but his impudence and strength of lungs.