Washington sentinel., 1854-04-13

thereof jointly, and the clerks in such divisions.
They have charge of the correspondence, ac-
counting, &C., and for the proper performance
of the business in their respective divisions are
directly responsible to the executive officer OF
the bureau; aud not only this but they are
responsible for the clerks, in their respective
divisions, and the promptness and correctness
with which their duties are discharged.
1t was, therefore, mainly for this class OF
clerks. that the fourth class Of salaries (the
81 ,S00) were adopted in the bill of 1858. But
there were not enough of them to go round,
and therefore there are many chiefs of divis-
ions, who, with large responsibilities resting
upon them, entrusted with the conduct of at
fairs employing from two to thirty-6ve clerks,
who are receiving but $500, whilst not only
some of their brother division chiefs are get
ting ST. 800, but other clerks by their side hav-
ing no immediate responsibility beyond their
own desk, are receiving the same amount, and
who, when their hours of service closesmay
laydowntheir bookand retire, forgettingall office
care until tomorrow Not so he eupon whom the
conduct Of affairs in the division falls. A knotty
case-one perhaps in which thousands of dol
lars are involved, or the happiness Of many is at
stake-keeps wakeful his eyes and taxes his
thoughts both day and night.
Members OF Congress all know, who ever
have occasion to visit the public departments
on business, that they are always referred to
these heads of divisions for any information
sought or business to be transacted. 1t is from
them that the necessary information upon al
most all subjects is derived from the heads of
the bureau, as the Secretary must derive his
specific knowledge on all questions from the
chief officers of bureaus Now, the simple
and only question wish to present is, as there
we're not sufficient number of 81 800 clerk
ships provided by the act of 1853 to confer up
on all the heads of divisions in the various Of.
fees, whether the number in justice ought not
to be so increased as to place those important
clerks all upon footing, as the chief clerksof
the departments and bureaus are? lido not say
that it should be done for the purpose per Sc Of
placing that class Of clerks simply on footing,
but as matter of justice, in compensating
them for their responsibilities, and to place
them on an equality.
From observation and experience, it must
be obvious to all who live in this expensive
city, that any salary below $500 is one re-
quiring strict economy, and prudential disburse-
ment and hence the anxiety, on the part of the
clerks in the departments and the other en-
ployees of government provided for in the bill
now before the Committee of Ways and Means
in the House, to see it passed that branch of Con-
gress, it having SO unanimously gone through
the Senate not largely, but amply discussed.
As a temporary measure, the bill is valuable,
and it is probable that no very serious doubt
can be entertained of its being soon reported
by the honorable committee having it in charge,
and passed into law. If it were to be report
ed unamended tomorrow, and moved to be put
upon its passage. doubt if the yeas and
nays would show twenty-five opponents. But
prudence dictates moderate sentiment on the
part of those whom the bill is intended to
benefit, whilst it is to be hoped that, in passing
it, Congress will not look upon it as measure
of gratuity, or as a pensionary law. 1t will be
simply justice.
1t is to be hoped that the bill will not be SO
amended by the committee as to reduce any
salary now embraced in it. It's provisions are
not now too liberal. Indeed, an advance step
or two might be taken, and very properly, but
as ! would not have the passage Of the bill en-
dangered by amendment, lest even the lower
class of clerks, messengers, watchmen, &C.,
would be left unprovided for by its defeat
would say rather let it pass as it came from
the Senate. If this cannot be done, let it pass,
for it will, at least benefit somebody who needsit
41,6OO.