The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-10-04
Compensation to Watchmen

Mr. EproR In your daily issue of the second there ia
able article. going show tina, many OF hesaares of
the higher ocers OF the general government in this city
are entirely 100 low And whilst the able writer has
shown beyond all doubt, and that by figures that
cannot lie be gainsaid, that clerks salaries OF
from 5000 to 81 200 per annum altogether made
quate 10 decent support, think he might have gone
a little further or cast his eye little lower and he
would have there humble class OF men
called the watchmen, messenger and aboers who have
Interesting little children and wives with broken down
constitutions who have become over the vast. Tub
aud ironing liable, in aiding 10 make decent support for
their families. because the meagre salaries OF their bus.
bands, in the employ OF the general government las
wachmen. messengers, and laborers) insufficient
TO provide them the necessary comforts OF fe-her sal
aries ranging from $3.50 TO $500 per annum. Now. Mr.
Editor, would like TO know il humble men are no,
good and respectable citizens. and feel lively an in
ierest in !be welfare OF families that class which
the author OF the article alluded ably shows need an
increase in their salaries render them and their families
comfortable And il is well known, sir that there
are man holding these humble places who naler them
selves that they come iaeht who, had they an
opportunity 10 exercise it, would be found capable OF I'll
ing many places more honorable and responsible with
credit 10 themselves and profit 10 the government but
because they consented 10 occupy lower grade with The
hope and expectation that by faithful attention 10 small
things hey might attain TO greater, they have beer
doomed TO be in reality the only hewers of wood and
dawes OF water under the present state OF things; fol
!, cannot be forgotten that at the first session OF III,
Thirty Congress from TO 30 per cenium wa,
added TO the saaries Of the employees Of the genera
government in Washington; but al The second session
the same Congress, in the classification OF the clerks
that per cenium was struck of the waichmen messen
sers, and abosers without any increase their regular
salaree, which was not the in the salaries OF In,
csrks by which ACT the class OF men which advocate
and OF which compose humble part, have been III,
suhsen ,here existed the necessity Of allowing 20 PEI
cent additional 10 salaries al the first session. sure
~ existed At te second and certainly has continued e
ena up 10 The prcssn, time. rational man will ur
derake 10 deny IL ia therefore, to be hoped that Their,
Willie found some one lsnd doubt not The d,sposs,
OF The heads OF the departmeni.) to recommend an,
advocate The efnndng and continuance of the 90 pe
cent upon the salaries Of the small Try for cannot be
love that 90 srsa, injustice could have been in
inflicted opon by 20 liberal and high minded gentle
men a. composed The Thirty second Congress We bav
bad therefore, 10 eubmi TO present embarrassing con
di6sn. hoping that the members composing the Thirty
third Congrsss will be-as have found The disun
Euiahed gentlemen to be composing President Pierce
cabinet-men OF liberal minds and generous hearts
~ gosI JNO. p. HILTON,
-, $780, Waterman Treasury Department
WASHINGTON, Oct 3, 1853.