New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-21
NEED OF INCREASED Pay FOR CLERKS.

10 tAs Editor Of The N. J. Tribune
SIR: l was very much surprised to see an article in
THE TRIBUNE days since rejecting in unmeasured
terms OF contempt upon the general character Of the
poyes IN the Departments Of the Government in cOnnec
ton with their petition for Of compensation
As this article calculated TO do very great deal
OF injury 10 the said employees just at the present me by
creating impression upon the popular mind that they
are very unworthy body OF citizens, and that there
fore 1t would Do q great waste OF the public money II
Congress should allow them this additional compensation
permit me, sir, late soldier OF the United States
Army and present emplOye Of the Government TO say
The author Of the article alluded 10 expressed an
opinion that the Clerks Of the Departments here were
useless tling aspstea BODY ana %i' aho any any
this opinion without true foundaton in fact quite
Nearly, II not quite onetrd Of these employees were
soldiers OF the Union Army during the late war. great
sbled by disease exposure, pIivatlon and imprisonment
TO be incompetent TO pursue more active and arduous
next there are great many retired soldiers and
who have here found asylum and employment IN their
old age. Then there are very large number OF supcran
eIergyIneD physicians and awyers-who have failed 10
6ndn their books adequate provision for their declining
Beside these classes there good many excellent
business men, without whom the business OF the Govern
Eneut could not be transacted and Who stay here simply
because they have become attached 70 their places and
elsewhere
large number Of the younger clerks are pursuing a
business education in the commercial schools. There
arc two medical colleges, law school aud two
while depending almost entirely upon the Government
clerks for their support. Among what otlcr body Of
eerks will you find 40 large proportion endeayonug 70
t themselves for better positions and greater useful
Almost every day resignations Of these clerks oc-
curing which seriously rcard the prosecution OF the
Government business IN the several breaux simply be-
cause the present compensation il not sufficient 10 IN
1uee the best clerks 10 remain. Thoughtless outsiders
viii be only glad to take their Places, even at reduced
salaries" THIS may be true: but such would gen.
ersl rule, are only those who useless anywhere and
pobedy cares TO employ them The Government requires
II these cerkships are such sflecures 81 viii only DO
necessary for Congress 70 allow sufficient additional com
finances notwithstanding the closest economy to dis
charge their Indebtedness with enough left fake them
away and there will be plenty Of vacancies open 10 as
pirants designations would then be drug in the pOliti-
Hoping that you viii be kind enough to accept these
remarks those Of who only wishes the truth 10 be
knGwn and IS DESTROYS OF preventing the ELECTS Of DAN
aging er pdrte statement OF the case,
am sir yours very respectfully, THOMAS CALVER.
Washington, d. C., Jan. II, 1857.
Having thus given place to Mr.. Calver's
statement, we respectfully ask him and his
fellow clerks to allow us still to believe that
they arc at least as well paid as those who do
IKE work Tor States companies and individuals;
that 1t would not be just to the overburdened
taxpayers TO increase their present emOlunents;
Ihat we heartily wish all of them who are dis
Ss'isneu would resign at once; that we would
siauy take contract to fill their places at
IoAs' as @e' as they are now filled for ten per
oJn' Teio% therpresent compensation; and that
, "nen + 600 Clothing and Fuel are considerably
,o"er IN .iie average than they for years have
Dven' ana are likely still further TO decline,
WINE the revenue is falling off, and the peo-
PIE begging Tor the further remission of taxes
70 save important branches of industry from Mt.
ter ruin it is the hight Of assurance IN tbese
non-reslgnins clerks to be begging for higher
pay and very wrong in Congress 70 allow y.
Ielf to DO button-hOled into granting t. The
true relief measure for all clerks and otbor
workers for monthly or yearly stipend is 20
% found IN Resumption of Specie Payments.
m T4ib