Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-02-28
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
See cur First Page for various Washing
ton News" (editoriaD articles of interest.

munication, literally true in all its statements,
deserves due consideration from Congress
Mr.. Editor trust you will allow me to
say word or two through your columns to the
members Of Congress, respecting the pay of
Gov eminent clerks in this city.
A bill is now upen the table Of the House,
providing for an increase of their present pay.
do not know exactly what are the features
Of that bill, nOr am particular about that /
know, and every one knows, that there is
great and urgent nscesStty for increasing the
pay now received by the clerks; and l trust
Congress will pass bill for that purpose, in
some shape or other, before the close of the
session
1t is well known that the expenses of living
in Washington have been gradually increas-
ing for several years past, Until they have
gone up beyond those Of New York, or any
other city n the country.
The members found it necessary last year
TO double their own pay, although compelled
to reside here but half their time and they
cannot but know, from their own experience,
that gentlemen who reside here all the year
round, and have families to maintain, cannot
live comfortably on 81 200 or 81, 400. And
Jet that SUN IS all that tie majority Of the
clerks receive. There ale many among them
with large neutrality-suspicious. Of education,
talent and refinement, qualified some Of them,
to fll the highest posts under Government
who are getting only 81 400 per year. And
their chance Of promotion to higher salary is
extremely small; for, whatever may be their
merits, vacancies above them seldom occur,
and when they do occur, persons not previous
ly holding such positions are frequently ap-
pointed to I'LL them.
Congress has recently passed bill in,reas-
ing the pay CT the Army. By it's provisions
the mere lieutenant viii receive 81 600 per
anoum. Thus young man, after receiving
his education az the expense Of the Govern
ment, Immediately receives a salary Of 81 800
. year, although generally he resides in a
portion Of the country where the expense of
living il comparatively light. How different
with the els:k After educating himself, ard
spending perhaps years in service here, be
gets but 81, 200 or 81 400 year, although
having family to support in this the most
expensive city il the United States
Should Congress Lot be able 10 mature q bill
In time, t-ust they will at least introduce
clause into the General Appropriation bill,
adding twenty or twenty-five per cent to the
pay OF the clerks for the present fiscal year.
IL has been customary, for several years past
TO add this amount to the pay Of their own
clerks and other employees, although their
regular Fay Is considerably moro than that Of
the clerks in tAe Executive Departments
make no objection to giving them this extra
Per centags. All 1 ask is that it may be
extended 10 their fellOw-laborers yho equally
deserve and need it
With an overfouins Treasury the Govern
ment should Day generously and literally
those who are engaged ia csrryior ON ~,
functions, that they may not only live in com
iort, but &c able to lay up something for the
Gay OF diversity. - N.
The Late David Eums.-Ths homicide of
this gentleman this morning, in this city, by
the hands of D. c. Lee, will cause intense
feeling throughout eastern Virginia, where he
was well known and universally respected
and beloved He was a gentleman of means,
noted for his being governed by scrupulous
sense Of propriety in all bis conduct through
life, for his active kenevoIence, and, indeed.
for the possession Of just such traits Of char
scter as secure for one the confidence and re.
gard Of his fellow-citizeIs He came to AL
exandria to reside from Orange Court House.
firginia-Tss widower with four children.
two Of them being grown up daughters who
are now in this city at The residence Of a rela.
tive. His age was about f0rty-fye years He
was member of the extensive and so well
known family Of Humes, of Fsuquier.
D. {. Lee Is also al aged man of family, and
smember Of the Board of Commoun Council of
this city from the First Ward
The remains Of the late Mr. Hume ver. still
laying in the room where he was killed IS the
Star went to press, the Coroser's Inquest
being in progress.
Shortly after firing the fatal snot, Lee. ac-
companied by two Of his room m ates CLERKS,
walked around to the Office of Justice Samuel
Drury, where he delivered himself NJ to tbst
officer Of the law. lie was being held, prior to
commitment by Justice Drury, to await the
verdict of the COrOner's Inquest, in progress
as We 90 to press.
The Leyee at the Executive Mansion last
night was attended by an immense crowd
The scene was mach like first Of January
reception except that all the ladies present
perhaps two thousand-wers in full dress.
Great was the crush, crush, and entangle.
ment, the confusion and the potheration gen.
orally. The line of carriages extended all the
way from the Avenue, in front of the State
Department, TO the great door of the m ansiop.
Coed News for California The golden
State is fairly emerging from under the cloud
OF legislative disfavor which has been upon
her. Not long since we announced the enact. |
msnt Oh the bill directing the construction of |
three wagon military roads from the North. |
srn, Middle and Southern portions on this
nds, to the eastern settlements in that State.
Last night the Senate passed a provision |
ordering the establishment of an overland |
mail to San Francisco semi monthly, weekly
or sem;-usekly in four-horse coaches, as the |
Department may elect.