Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-08-11


The Compensate ion OF Government Emu
ployes.
During the consideration Of the civil and dplo-
matte appropriation bill in the House of Repre-
sentatives yesterday, Mr.. Gentry moved to insert
in the bill the following:
"Be IL further enacted That the clerks mes
sengers, watchmen, and laborers employed at an
annual salary, or in temporary positions in the
executive and legislative departments of the gov
eminent in the city of Washington, whose com
pensation does not exceed two thousand dollars
per annum, shall, in addition thereto, be allowed
the following annual increase of compensation,
commencing from the first day of the last fiscal
year. viz: All whose annual compensation does
not exceed twelve hundred dollars, twenty per
cent; all whose annual compensation exceeds
twelve hundred and does not exceed sixteen hnn-
bred dollars, an addition Of fifteen per cent. and
all whose annual compensation exceeds Sixteen
hundred and does not exceed two thousand dol
lars, an addition Of ten per cent. And that the
amount Of increased compensation provided for
in this section shall be paid out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Mr.. Gentry ably sustained this motion. 1t
was opposed by Mr.. Durham because farther
changes necessary, although he admitted that
there was a necessity for change. Mr.. Broom,
of Mississippi, spoke truly and feelngly on the
subject. Experience had taught him the made
quacy Of the present compensation. Mr.. For
Ter admitted the present high prices. of living,
but recommended frugality and economy to in
dividual officers Mr., Dean was in favor of the
proposition, but wished to guard against abuses.
Mr.. German ably sustained the proposition.
Mr.. johnson, of Tennessee, wished TO give the
benefit Of any increase to mechanics and labor
ers also in the service of the government, land
we regret that this was not well considered.)
Mr.. SHELTON opposed, and Messrs. Chandler and
Bowie advocated the increase. Mr.. Cartier moved
part of it which applied TO clerks who received a
salary of thousand dollars a year, which prevail
ed; and SO the House adjourned.
There arc difficulties around this thing, it is
plain but the members Of the House of Repre-
sentatives are we'll disposed toward the main
proposition, and we earnestly hope it may pre-
vail.
Within q few years the expenses Of living have
greatly increased but no increase has been made
in the compensation of those who labor for the
government; and although, as has been said, the
applicants for Office are always numerous, as in
deed are the applicants for every species Of en-
ployment, the cases are by no means unfrequent
of the withdrawal from the public service Of the
more skilful and experienced. Indeed, although
the present certainty of compensation in the
public Offices lures many into them, it is notorious
that they prove, in but too many instances, the
tomb of all improvement or hopeful enterprise.
The tenure is precarious, the compensation
seldom exceeds the daily necessities of family,
promotion comes not through capability and in
dustry, and men whose official position brings
them into familiar contact with the most refined
and intelligent members of society are precluded
by their poverty from all intercourse with them
in the social relations Of life BY their political
exclusion, ALSO they are deprived Of the opportu-
mites to rise enjoyed by their fellew-citizens of
the States
We are never the advocates Of prodigal ex-
penditure of the public funds, but, on the con-
trary, have always favored the most circumspect
regard to economy: and in this instance we are
consistent with our practice for we believe that,
in public and in private business, rUs economy
points to the liberal compensation Of those who
labor for us.
1t is often asked whether a clerk is better than
q mechanic, who labors for two dollars day ?
We can promptly answer that he is no better,
and that no man is better than the toiling me.
chanic; but hear us a moment on this head II
costs the mechanic nothing to learn his trade :
he lives on two dollars day or less for but lin
tied time, and when he becomes q master work
man he makes from two to ten times two pc
day. until we see, as is the case in Washington
n very large portion of the real estate owned by
this very class Of two-dollars-a-day men. Th'
clerk, IL he be competent, has generally paid
much money and devoted much time to adapting
himself to the duties Of his calling, and, once en-
tered upon II, seldom or never rises above it, bu;
has in age to support md educate q large family
by means OF the same salary that barely enabled
him to live in comfort before his offspring had
gathered around him
II is true, as Mr.. Durham said, TINT other
changes are necessary; but they can as well he
made after as before the proposed increase.
P. s..The House has to-day disposed Of the
subject by adding twenty per cent. to the sala-
ries Of clerks who do not now receive more than
twelve hundred dollars, to commence with the
present fiscal year, July !. This is well, and
pretty much Of an equalizer too
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faS> Ten prizes at Carusi's tonight!