Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-23
uonu w,sHISGfoS CITY.

ICorrsspondence Of the Richmond Enquirer
NICE day for door 'rork-Nsasbcrs 81 C'As,r ~,
and their du'ics-A h;r' 20 c7astt'"fns'--3 g"
.lrmy- Popular Prejudice, SC, &c ,-.
WAsHISGroS, Dec. 2oih' io'o'
The intense cold which came upon US last ns'''
accompanied by sleet has caused conside'eoe
among those who opposed an a1]ourH"''. 1"'" As,'I
day. 1t is quite certain that VII" sue" "
day for indoor work. blazing nre' anu inc "'p''
sibility Of interruption from calss m.'hoef' e""'i
have accomplished Srest deal in tue why OF ATTEND
ne to the extended correspondence whic" forces
;,osf upon the attention OF congressman. People
nsn.rsjIy are not aware Of the immense amount OF
LII. actual labor which member or Senator
has to perform. There arc no two clerks IN the
arrest commercial houses who have the came
amount of real clerical duty to perform. FROM
early breakfast until near midnight, the member 5
are engaged In answering lette s. attending 10 pri'
,ute bus III IS Of other people, Greeting documents
aud receiving applications from every BODY ior a'n OF
political ass stance 1t has really got to be bore.
There arr hero and there gentlemen who have deter
mined TO con6ne themselves exclusively 10 their ON
cal duties in Congress But, generally speaking, the
renressntaiyes OF the people at Washington are
indeed public servants" or, rather, public clerks, on
a very inadequate salary. As All instance OF the e1
tent Of this evl-for it is evil to overtax tue tune
and attention Of our reprts naiives by private ae-
mands-I knew q member OF Congress, during one
session. to pay private secretary regular monthly
salary to perform the labor inconsderatey
forced upon him by his constituents The member
was entrusted with the responsibility OF dlgestlng and
maturing important BILL relating to their general
welfare. He could not attend to the duty ana oe
clerk for his constituents besides; no employed
clerk and gave his attention to the public bust
ness of Congress. Having large private fortune,
he could do so without feeling it. But there are men
who have no such private means to fall back upon;
and If the extent Of the evil was only known, am
certain no liberal constituency would thus embar'
rass or over-work their representatives.
The public works now progressing under the gu
perintendsnce Of army officers furnish conclusive ev
dence OF the value to the people OF having at th"r
disposal gentlemen whose great and only motVe Is
zea for the service and ambition for professional dis
nction. The officers Of the army who graduate al
West Point are selected from the people at large
If the only OF the rich and aristocratlc are go
ected, it is the fault of Congress. Ii halt dozen OF
one family are fastened on to the public service II Is
in direct violation of the spirit and meaning OF the
act organizing army and on this particular point
will take occasion to give some information htreai-
ter Bnt it is manfestly 10 the service at ar
70 make the exception the rule: Inc senuethen Ie,
tailed by government to superintend certain pu0hc
works are animated solely by that impulse which ma;
made our army "model' in the eyes OF Europe ana
the pride of our own people. In time OF war We al
know the enthusiasm which imPsis Puolo applause
OF men who, leaving wife and children behind, ac'
Dept the hard fare and dangers OF the camp at the
Command Of duty. Where is there single petition
for extra pay on account Of distinguished .ervce1-
Where is there body Of men who sacrifice more
than do tho officers of tho army The officers OF the
army are sen,lensn" course they are gentlemen.
Would the people have them otherwise The fire.
quent designations of able and heightened officers
should suggest the policy at least of modifying tue
contracted view, of those who have pandersd 10 inc
thoughtless prejudices Of the uniformed. The army
officer is OF The people and citizen, and there 10
certain consideration due to him we'll as to others