The New York herald., 1866-10-06
HEp0TEm IN THE GOVERNMENT 0EPAnTmtNTs-now THE
VETERANS or the WAR ARE TREATED

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The resolution OF Hon. Green Clay Smith, Of Kentucky,
adopted by the House OF Representatives In the last
session Of Congress- to call tho heads Of the different
departments OF the government to furnish list OF the
clerks designating those who served in the Union army
navy, their former occupation the States they are
appointed FROM also Of those who served in the rebol
army, on whose recommendation they appointed,
&C. was step in the rgh; direction but did not go
far enough afford thorough investigation Of the
and condition of the clerks employed in the bureaus Of
all the government departments In order to achieve
perfect view is essential that the heads Of bureaus
should be named also as they are the only promoting
power, and the States from which they appointed
the number OF Chief fourth third second and rs class
clerks who have not served In the army navy during
the recent war; the period elapsed between the promo
naval SERVICE and discharged account OF wounds
received ihe State OF every promoted clerk especially
OF those who have been examined list Of this
kind would show norot5m not to be imagined by out
sders and convince every impartial citizen that strict
Investigation and thorough reform u necessary order
70 do justice merit and especially 10 our honoraby
discharged and disabled heroes who fulfil their duties
faithfully but kept ON the back seats and have
no fair chance of promotion.
The heads Of thelburcaus in the different departments
have served in the army or navy durn the war,
neither their chief clerks and this circumstance induces
the most these gentlemen TO promote young who
have not served in the military al service In pre-
ference To nOnOfaDy uSCTageu anu
saor because they do not see nor wish to acknowledge
real merit and sacrifices brought the countrys defence
in their oces chief CLERK was heard TO say the other
dav in a government office, 10 merit whatsoever
to gone through the and have been wounded,
for promotion in his bureau and head Of bureau OF
the Treasury Department said 70 gentleman who
handed in request for promotion account of merit
his ONCE and in the war that he considered pc
tition Of any clerk for promotion nor would he read
the dignity OF chief OF bureau, and compare IL with
the poor abect position Of first class clerk who It s
k-ktf
all he possessed in the war; dangerously wounded,
and saved nothing bnt his bare life and his sacred honor
Now he i working for two years already IN govern
the government many thousands OF dollars, works
con.cienousiy during the whole business hours, with
out lolng about or reading newspapers but ne docs
not fawn, and he objects to many subscriptions
for magnificent presents to his superors and
one instance disabled soldier, who had Just lea The
hospital after fve months OF tedious sickness and
dangerous wounds where be had had 10 spend bis last
dollar and was scarcely month In one OF the Audi
tors offices Treasury DEPARTMENT. as first class clerk
was asked ona and tho day dollar subscription for
another dollar for the chief Of the DIVISION dollars
for the chief clerk and ve dollars for the present TO the
A2dor These last three subscriptions were too much
for his means and be refused 10 subscribe this
count The consequence that he viined by the
fsvoring superior clerks without any and recon-
mended for dismissal although he had worked up three
months arrears his predecessor weeks besides
his daily tasks He transferred and happily to .
division where the chief as well a. the head OF the room
were lust and real gentlemen But he nearly year
in this DIVISION when he received lettcr OF his dis
missa althcuch he had been recommended for promo
ton BY hs immediate superors on account OF faithful
services for more than oght monihs He wrote to the
head Of the department. asking Tor an investigation and
report Of his Immediate superor which being granted
by the just and honorable Secretary proved his superb
orty AZ clerk and the order OF dismissal revoked
Now Il must he considered that many clerks who
disabled In tho war possess thorough classical educa
tIon ara are em.neniy able 70 all the highest positions
OF trust under the government and ought 10 be promo
ed rapidly when they receive no more than first class
cerkship But their independent SPIRIT conscious
OF fulfilling faithfully their duties not accustomed nor
willing 10 stoop overbesrng superors renders them
arc nov abo and efficient clcrks men who must not
be promoted under any consideration. They ask 10 be
transferred other bureaus but their requests not
granted and 90 they may remain forever First class
clerks young men and mere boys, who never en-
tered the army In the countrys defence and arc often
scarcely few months In Once and who poseess no more
capacity than TO nle papers, ara continually promoted
over their heads and the whole machinery OF these
bureaus s run by civilians who have sympatby with
the suffering soldier but some lend him money at ten
lost everything In the and In consequences OF pro-
traed sickness before hc entered hs poor
situation.
could name several government bureaus where sol.
OF tho head OF tho Bureau and have 70 the
cuson that Of these heads mako thcr occrs the
basis Of political operations in the elections OF their
States and viii mover practically discriminate between
high talent and faithful application 70 duty on the ono
hand, and aznesl, stupidity and cringing minons on
the other
The next Congress. II Ia TO be hoped viii take the
proper steps remedy these grievances and oe
no time In giving their duo 10 the eicent clerks who
the patriotic and wounded heroes during the
trys war FOR hoersy and justice or,,nrr so, mr.,
Ocrouxr g. 1896