The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-09-22

JUSTICE TO WHOM JUSTICE Is DUE.

Mr. EDITOR During the past session of Congress much
has been done to improve econdon OF employees of the
government and the salaries Of the clerks OF the different
departments have been raised to very satisfactory stand
ard vet mention in any respect whatever neither in
general way in conneSon with the reorganization
of the navy has been made of the clerks purser in the
naval service | would respectfully call your attention
and that of the many readers of your valuable paper to-
facts connected with this grade of our naval service
large number Of these clerks married men-men to
whom family look for support Again. they must be
of education and good moral standing otherwise they
would not be fit for the station they hold and last but
not least of all they must be gentlemen of thoroughly
honest and tustcorthy character, there frequently
large of public property nrusted to their care
The pttance of five hundred dollars per annum in the
shape of salary which they receive at the present time
wholly inadequate for their most necessary wants and
actually does allow of decent living especially In the
present time exorbitan prices for every commodity of
life.
Now, Mr. Editor do the favor to look for one mo
ment at the case of pursers clerk OF His monthly
salary forty dollars one-ha of which he has
allotment for the support of his family while
he is absent this will leave himself twenty dollars just
the pay of gunners boatswains mate Out OF these
twenty dollars he has to deny his and wash bills
and various other expenses necessary keep body and
soul together and when the cruise is finally ended and
he returns to his family after absence of three four
years he H. if not in debt at least destitute OF money,
and unable to the relief of his family it nc should
be unhappy enough to find it in distress This applies
equally to the clerk doing duty in navy-yards with
slight difference in the mode of expanding his pay
Every officer sailor who returns from cruise is able
show savings of his pay while at This clerk
cannon do; with the most rigid economy he is una
bic lay up penny; besides, every other officer after
his need for the future He either obtains
leave of absence furlough in the worst is or
dered again. But the poor clerk, whose appoin-
ment is permanent, is discharged without ceremony
and penness often cndles has to look about for another
situation. If he should be unhappy enough not to find
immediate employment he becomes but too often prey
misery and despair, and has livelihood by
some below his education and revolving his feel
ings.
1t would be but act of justice towards these
who have always been found faithful in the discharge Of
their arduous duties and whose position has been
properly understood, if Congress- who alone have the
power of acting in their behalf would inquire closely into
the condition Of this class of officers and to them
such pay would allow not only Of decent living, but
also, of the possibility of saving penny for rainy day
BY giving the above place in yonr valuable paper you
will doubt lend your hand advance just cause and
much obge your obedieut servant,
A PURSER'S CLERK, u. S. n.