The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-17


Ma EDIroR May take the liberty OF asking the use
Of small space In your valuable paper 10 call the asisa
lion OF our senators and representatives To that part o
the civil and diplomatic BILL passed March . 1885, Is,a
ting To the anizdon oil The clerks IN lie Various oe
Partments in Washington!
Its netnceney to carry out the designs oil It's Ifsets
well known 10 the heads OF the departments 70 .ne
chiefs OF bureaus who have especial supervision OF the
work conhded TO theft respective Offices ands ~ ac 10
every one ACQUAINTED with the nature Oh lhe duties OF
clerks. and the ability requisite to Their proper perform
anoe.
On the ist Of Juy in accordance with the provisions
OF this acl the clerks assigned TO their respective
classes and many competent men We're necessarily placed
in subordinate Positions from the iast that The law made
provision for the employment OF very limited number
10 the higher grades Ia the Treasury Department, for
example, there are S2l clerks and OF this large number
the law allows but III In the fourth ($l .S00) class
There men in The departments. Of intelligence and
education, at 5000 per aRnum who perform duties SINH
lar to those receiving $1,000 This inequality, 20 o.
vously UNJUST exists TO considerable extent, and early
actoA should be taken by Congress to remedy defect
prejudical to this class OF Objects
Gentlemen who opposed to intfeahng the salaries
of the clerks OF the departments must surely be unac-
quained with the nature and labor OF the duties apper
tanning to he respective Offices, or no such opposition
would exist.
In the numerous claims and accounts presented to the
department, primary action is always had by some clerk
who thoroughly Investigates the casesearches for the
various acts of Congress bearing II, asceains the
practice Of the department in similar cases, and then pre-
sens his report 10 the head Of The bureau or Secretary
Gas the may reque) Tor bis final decision thereon
Il therefore, apparent that those to whom such diihcn
duty appeians should understand the aws; and be able
apply them pfopety to the various submitted 10
their consideration, and sh0t be men oil intelligence
education, and coTTec, judgment
Erroneous opinions formed OF the moral character
and standing OF the gentlemen composing this branch OF
The public service These ideas are derived IRON those
officers who wanting in sef-respect. who frequent
bar rooms and low places, and by their immoral course
FENDER themselves liable 10 the condemnation oil all good
men and, unfortunately Tor large majority OF those
holding office. The impression Of them class is
ceived from lhese few lders-when, in fact large pro-
portion OF gentlemen employed in the departments are
men occupying prominent places in their respective
churches, who by The nprighness OF their conduct and
high Responsibility, give tone 70 the various circles IN
msn, who, when released from official Duty interests
himself in The home circle by educating his children and
culvating the higher qualities OF virtue and domestic
peace. should be judged BY the few depraved iders who
having been rtroneosy elevated 10 place. conspcu
Gus by their misdeeds. All large bodies of
sariy contain certain individuals who are unworthy and
whose condact tends TO depecale their associates but
that there are more persons in the clerical corps in ash
ington who are undesefving the approval of a high
minded community Than any similar number OF men else
where, whatever may De ther profession OF calling,
most ethphaiica,ly deny.
IL is TO be hoped that some senator or representative
will Immediately offer resolution calling upon the heads
OF bureaus for list OF their clerks, together with The
salary which IN their opinion each should receive.
The law passed March 81 not AT al in aceotdance
with The Recommendations submitted to Congress by the
different heads OF bureaus, who previously called
upon 10 estimate appropriate salaries for the clerks under
Their immediate charge These gentlemen have the best
opportunity Of Judging the merits OF their subordnates,
OF the labor belonging each desk, and consequently The
salary each one should receive.
II IS certain that great advantage would arise, both TO
The government and its officers ty increasing the nun
Der to be employed in classes three (l 5000 and four
(S 500 thereby diminishing the number in classes
$4,000 aud two ($ 2oo,) which latter sums are in
adequate the decent support OF majority OF the persons
filling those positions
", CLERK AT 5000.