The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-01
Retired Lists.

Retired Lists.
THE people Of the United States have always
been ready and willing to assist those who
have done public duty, aud especially those
who have spent their lives in the service Of
the country. The remaining heroes OF our
first great struggle, which resulted in our in
dependence, are watched over with peculiar
care; and very soon the last of our original
defenders will have passed from human sight,
and entered upon the mysteries of that un-
known land where brave deeds will be amply
rewarded The second conflict in which it
was our lot to take a part, thanks to the
daring bravery of our seamen and soldiers, re-
suited in our favor; and their names are en-
rolled in the archives of the nation, and receive
yearly a pecuniary compensation for their
valor and patriotism. The participants in the
Mexican war, which in the light OF the present
day seems like brilliant skirmish, are ten
derly cared for, and, so far as may be, have all
their wants supplied. The great war through
which we have recently passed, has given us
an increased number OF persons manned and
mutilated, who are the proper objects OF gov
ernmental aid and assistance; and the authori-
ties have already provided for their wants
This is proper. They have all in their day
and generation aceC a noble part in our
national history and the miserable pittance
which they receive is not to be considered in
the light of a charity, but rather as the simple
payment Of debt, the liquidation of which
has been too long deferred.
But while we are properly attending to the
wants of those who have braved the dangers
OF the battlefield, we should not forget the
claims of those who have spent their lives in
the civil service OF the Government, and have
grown grey-headed and wrinlxled In the dis
charge of their public duties. There are many
persons who have faithfully labored in subor-
dinate positions, whose ability and worth have
never been properly appreciated or rewarded.
They have been content to act their part
modestly, and while they may have desired
that promotion might follow honest effort,
they have never urged their claims with that
persistency which is generally successful when
the persons concerned are persevering in their
Efforts.
For such men as these there should be
some provision made. After years of ill-paid
labor they should not be turned out like
superannuated horses to die, neither should
they be required to seek some eleemosynary
establishment to drag out miserable exist
ence in their old age, thus concluding life
of honor by death which must seem to them
disgrace. A retired list for clerks who have
a fair record, and are only incompetent on
account of age or infirmity, is an institution
that would do honor to our country and age.
Persons who are familiar with the labor in
volved in cle7kship in any of the depart
ments at Washington city will bear us witness
that it is no sinecure. At best, it is treadmill
lite, and the salary attached is seldom fair
equivalent for the labor performed. To do
the work required, it is necessary to secure
active and intelligent men; otherwise we may
suffer great loss. The same amount of in
dustry and capacity used in any branch Of
private business would bring more remunera-
tive receipts. But we could not well afford
to lower the standard OF capacity among our
department clerks. Their ability is matter
of extreme Importance to every citizen; aud
when an attache OF Government is obtained
whose integrity is undoubted it is the part Of
wisdom to retain him. But it is hard to use
up the vital powers of any one and then dis.
charge them on account Of unftness for duty
This system has been inaugurated in Eu-
rope, and it is one of the few things that re-
publican America might proftably copy. A
retired list for superannuated clerks might be
so constructed as not to be obtruSively chari-
ty-exactly similar to those now in existence
Tor the benefit of our army and navy veterans
There are many persons connected with the
various bureaus OF Washington who have day
after day performed an amount of work that
would astonish most people, and yet have
never been able to lay by anything with which
to meet the requirements of old age and in
ability to labor. 1t is the duty Of the Govern
ment to provide for such, and we hope that
measures of character looking to this object
will be taken at the present session OF
Congress.
If MAJoR-GENERAL d. E. SICKLEs, CON-
mander of the District of South Carolina, will
cease tn issue orders in fnture and LET his re-