The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-21
For the Union.
Tho Clerks Bill In the Senate.

MIR. EDITOR As the honorable Committee Re-
trenchment and Reform OF the Senate have been good
enough tonlroduee bill in that body increasing the pay
OF certain clerks and Others in tie employ Of the govern
meRt a, Washington, and as that bill appears to be
framed upon the idea that classes indispensable in the
branche. OF the public service TO which II refers trust
you will permit me TO occupy brief space in which 10
present the views not only of myself but of hundreds
OF others this question.
And first, would inquire, most respectfully, whether
the comsiltee Congress entertain the idea that the
classification conlendei for should apply TO persons TO
lab.r7 If TO persons, then would seek know whether
il is very copsonan with the free, republican institutions
under which live and o.! which Justly proud,
that the national legislature should, by solemn act, re-
cognise establish, and perpetuate eiaes distinctions,
and grades among fellow citizens am free TO
fess that have not so learned the constitution OF my
county; and quite that the people represented
in the House do undersand tina, sacred instrument
nor have the stas represented in the Senate under.
STOOD acted in their legislation under The constitution
In The offices of the secretary Of the Senate and the
clerk Of the House Of Representatives the principle con-
tanned 10 The law Of the last Congress, recognizing the
clerical force 10 Washington, and now sought 10 be per-
pc, ualed by another act OF Congress-Bamely, the
eiassif eoi;on Of the isrks--has obtained For
twentyhye years at least and do not know how much
longer, every clerk employed in either of the above
named Offices has received 81 500 per annum, except the
chief clefk-and that too, without the slightest regard
the kind or the amount of the labor required of them
Now it is well known that almost every one OF the gen
temen engaged In these Offices have little or nothing to
occupy their time and attention a, the seat OF government
during the recess OF Congress and OF them retire
10 the country, spend their time among their friends,
or else 20 home and thus expenses while the poor
clerks of the departments may say in the language Of
the best OF books. "ihere ia peace" cessation Of
labor no abatement OF responsibility, quiet repose Of
the mind or OF the physical system both OF which
essential to health and longevity Bat my purpose is not
to complain OF The advantages enjoyed by the clerks and
other employees the Capitol No; by no means. They
are heartily welcome TO every bench, arising from their
peculiar position. only introduced their to show
that ,ius,s have been deemed important
.ary there nor has the ABSENCE OF classes operated nu
fiously TO the public service On the contrary, the fact
that all upon equal footing 10 respect TO pay has
had the best possible effect upon the service committed TO
their charge. The heads OF the Offices have thus been
enabled to dispose OF the force allowed ihem the beat
possible advantage, by giving to each ndydua The desk
OF tra OF business for which he was best qualified by
habit taste, education, and could EEL degraded
by bis position. This is strong point and to its
sideraton | earnestly entrest the attention OF the COM
mi,tes and OF Congress Apply this rule TO the depart
nenis and the bureaus OF which they arc composed
and let us zee how IL works Putting aside the chief
clerks oil departments and the principal clerks OF bs