The Anatomy of a Political Glutton

The United States may be said to be inhabited by two classes of people who live in the same climate, eat the same food, and live in much the same manner. The larger class, which is generally taken for granted, is known as the 'Outs.' The smaller class, which has been important in the nation's history, is the 'Ins.' The latter comprises what is broadly known as Federal and State officials. All, however, are embraced in the general term, in which the word 'rot' is continuously used in the daily papers. In studying the difference between them, an extraordinary and apparently paradoxical fact is noticed. Although the 'Ins' are a servile race and subject to the 'Outs,' they must rest at stated intervals. The majority of the 'Outs' spend their time attempting to become an 'In,' or a change which can be bought only on account of a majority of the 'Outs.' This monstrous and degrading dream to pass from freedom to slavery is one of the most remarkable American characteristics. Once there established as an 'In,' the principal study of such a degraded wretch is to devise means for remaining and removing all possibility of his ever again becoming an 'Out.' The change which takes place in the habits of a man on his becoming an 'In' is wonderful. Before that time he is probably industrious, painstaking, and frugal. As soon as he passes into the smaller class, he is different. His office is not opened until nine or ten o'clock, and it is closed promptly at four. In addition to this, he allows himself all legal and numerous illegal holidays. It is his nature that he finds it absolutely necessary to sleep for ten hours out of the twenty-four, the six hours which formerly sufficed him being now entirely inadequate. The 'In' is a man of many wants, and all his wants should, in his opinion, be supplied from the public treasury. How long will this continue? How long will a public servant feel privileged to be a public plunderer?