New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-09
OFFICIAL SALARIES OUGHT
THEY TO BE RAISEDf


We recently received from friend who has a
clerkship in one Of the Departments at Wash
ington most moving Hppeal-which we regret
that we have mislaid and cannot, therefore,
print--in favor of the clerks and other function
aries employed at Washington, praying us to
advocate such an increase of their salaries a.
will enable them to live. AS We cannot agree
with our correspondent on the main question H.
volyed, we will briefly say why.
That living is very dear AT Washington
dearer than almost anywhere else-far dearer
than it was when the present rates OF compen-
setion for official services were generally fixed
we well knog. That man who undertakes 10
support middling family there on the income
of a 81 900 to $1,000 ccrkship, ia likely to see
pinchng times, is deplorably true. We admit all
that our correspondent can say on this head, so
that there need be no cayl on that point.
Now look here;
Our Country is involved in q terrible Civil
War, which has plunged her into debt about
Fifteen Hundred Millions Of Dollars, and is now
rolling up at least Seven Hundred and Fifty
Millions more per annnm. We are likely to
owe more rather than less than Two thousand
Millions when this cruel war is over and to
be required TO ply at least One Hundred Mil
lions per annum as interest thereon. Add to
this the inevitably enhanced Military and Naval
ornaments and expenses Of our Government,
caused by this atrocious Rebellion, and our cur
rent expenditures can hardly BE- brought below
Two Hundred Millions per annum instead OF
the Fifty TO Seventy Millions that formerly sui
feed. This involves high taxes on everything
that viii bear tsIation-on the luxury and In
come of the rich, and on the cheap and humble
enjoyments of the poor. We have hitherto
been among the most lightly taxed peoples on
earth; We shall hereafter rank next hghes,
after Great Britain aud perhaps France.
Such is the permanent prospect. For Tie pres
sent, We are fighting for our Nations life, and
the strain upon our resources and our credit is
fearful. We get on, and that il about all. We
hope 10 get through; but blind confidence will
not carry us through: it must be supplemented
and justified by the most rigid economy. Yet
We SEQ men who should be foremost in Thrift
and providence contriying TO plunge the Gov
eminent into all manner Of Canal, Railroad and
other outlays for objects not indispensable TO
National triumph in our great struggle, pre-
cisely as if we were at peace, with full treas
ury and no Debt Are they stark mad
But TO the Clcrkships:
The present struggle imposes burdens OF and
exacts sacrifices from nearly every American.
If this War shall cost Twenty-Five Hundred
Millions, soneLody has to pay it. Yet almost
everybody acts as though he ought not to shout
der a portion of the load. Manufacturers say
three per cent on their products, with another
dig at their incomes, j. too much. Capitalists
think it hard that, after paying taxes on all their
property and business, they should be called on
for three to five per cent on their incomes in
addition. Rum, Tobacco and Lager Bier think
the excise entirely too hard on them. Busi-
ness grumbles at stamps, Themselves, and all
sorts Of bt-by-bit exactions. And Labor thinks
it should have its wages raised TO balance the
enhanced prices Of nearly every thing it buys
for consumption. I'm short, everybody thinks
the cost Of this gigantic war ought to be borne
by somebody else.
Now We say to the offce-holders that .they
must share the burden with everybody else.
10 raise their salaries so ~ u enable them 10
! live as well as the incumbents of the same
places did four years ago, is simply to shield
them from paying their share Of the cost of the
War. The thing can't be done; if it is, woe to
those by whom it snail be done
Now then, we insist that the compensation
Of official As Of all other service shall be regu-
lated by the law of supply and demand. You
nay dollar perhaps, for making vest; not
Judging what sum would enable the widow who
makes it to support her seven small children
comfortably; but ,ciai sum "iH buy IN the oP'n
marJff that amount and class Of uork. If the
usual price of making such vest as you want
il ten shilings, it is bad economy and bad mo-
rality in you to seek to get it done for dollar.
But if The latter is the ruling price, YOU are not
required to pay any more.
And what il right for you is right for the Gov
eminent. If official compensation at Washing
ton is so low that competent persons cannot be
induced TO do the needed work for the stipula-
ted pay. then it is right to increase it, not other
wisc, II those who nov hold clerk5hip5 choose