The daily union., 1854-01-05
A Measure or Justice.

Mr. EDITOR: AS the subject of the compensation of
the clerks mfloyed in the various Offices OF the govern
ment in Washington is just attracting considerable
attention, and there points which, as far as
my reading has gone have not been touched by any OF
the gentlemen who have written upon the subject, |
have though that short space your paper might be
proh'ably employed in laying these points, and the sug
gesons arising out OF them, before your readers and
herewith place them a. your disposal
Under the law oil the last Congress- The clerks were dis
trbued into four cassesihe first $780, the second at
$1,000, the third at 81 500, and the fourth at l 500
aRSnR eks a e
and, if they succeeded in passing the ordeal were APP
pointed to places the fortunate the high and the
unfortunate TO the low classes and salaries With
stopping here to question the justice OF the cIassfca
ton made, would call attention 10 The fact, so sat.
isacorily demonstrated by those who have treated the
subject before me, that cannot live respectfully in
Washington with families upon 5000, or even upon
81 400 per annum; and when say that these salaries
will mol support family respectfully | mean simply
that they will not furnish such actual as every
ough, 10 be able give TO his family This fact can
be very easily demonstrated 10 any one curious enough
to make the investigation.
writer in your columns, short time since showed
that 703 clerks under the present law are actually re.
cevng about $50 900 less aggregate compensation than
700 received prior 10 the LIST Juy when this law wen,
into operation. Now, every mans sense must
inform him that the labor connected with every depart,
ment OF the governments increasing heavily every year
and ii is fact which no one in Washington will dispute
that the cost OF living here has increased fully rs per cent
within the past twelve months; yet we see that while
the duties TO be performed have been and are daily largely
multiplying, while the number of clerks TO perform these
duties has been reduced and while cost OF living has
materially advanced, the aggregate amount OF money paid
10 the clerks in Washington is some $4,000 less ihan
under the old law Now ask is there either Justice
reason, or common sense in such arrangement Does
1t compdrt with the dignity of an American Congref.
to require men 10 work for salaries which will not sun.
port their familee, it be pretended that the grea,
American nation expects lis agents to be so poorly paid
Surely not
The last Congress, when there larger number of
clerks, drawing higher average OF paw 10 perform a
smaller amount OF labor felt that the eonpensa lions
inadequate, asd voted twenty per cent increase upon all
salaries OF 81 200 and under and ten per cent upon all
above 81 200 Now, there is an irresistible inference
from this fSct-whch is that the last Congress were
guilty OF waeeiul and unjuslifabe expenditure in yo
ting the per cent or those In the employ OF the gov
eminent are entitled, without the sanction of The
precedent TO increased compensation Il is no more Than
reasonable, however, 10 presume that those who voted
for this measure 10 the last Congress first satisfied them
selves Of It's justice and necessity
1t Is fact, too, which is notorious ha, many gsn,a
men, OF them the efficient clerks in The depar
men have absolutely been compelled to 20 in debt 10 de-
fray their current expenses, relying upon the Justice OF
Congress 10 release them IRON the obligations thus in
CURED and they confidently look Congress 10 sustain
the confidence ihus expressed, soon as plan can be
devised for heir permanent, relief. n The mean time
would II pot be proper (bee is doubt that i, would
be satisfactory Tor gentleman to offer resolution
restoring the per ceniage system until bill can be de-
ysed for The thorough reform OF the present system both
as regards The compensation and the classification
II would be but simple OF justice as we'll az OF re
ef TO pass resolution al once restoring the per cent
from the ls OF July, when the present law went into on
ersnon and reduced the salaries Then Congress could
take time 10 perfect system which would be ius, and
equal ~ lis operatonone that would remove all eapse
OF complaint and enable the clerks 10 do usce 10 them
selves and their families II the members of Congress
will but reflect upon these things | confident that
they Will see The force Of the suggestions have in this
article hastily thrown together, and hasten 10 do insice
and give relief to as intelligent and worthy, and might
add a. hard working, body Of gentlemen as the coun
Try furnish. RELIEF