New-York tribune., 1867-02-08
rHE SArARTFS 0F CLERKS.
TIE SALARIES OF CLERKS.
To a. Editor Of rrn NJ y Trsur<

To fk Editor Of The N. y IF7buE>
WASHINGTON Dec 81, 1865
SIR: There are a thousand readers of The TRIBUNE
connected with the departments here who cannot under
creased pay presented to Congress by the Government
Of the 18th inst is certainly not in accordance with the
fairness usually exhibited by THE TRIBUNE in discussion.
There is not a fair argument In 1t.
That there others willing to accept the places of the
present clerks at present prices s the principle reason
truth in this assertion The same number OF cubic inches
OF air space may be filled by Others but the writer of
the aforementioned phllipciw not pretend that new
clerks II competent would be able TO do more than hGD
that accomplished By those accustomed to ons 1s
feel the pnchng necessity for increased pay with the
The writer knows or ought 10 ktoW, that man with
only small family cannot live IN Washington, rtt
economy, becoming-h You like the term DesteT tnah
by law. -. .au..,.. -,
giving the prices OF rents, provisions &C. or tne ohthy
expenses Of small family who find they cannOt
government work that the writer of that editorial would
probably not be competent 10 90. -, ou .ovvD In
Ohio was never extravagan but has not lived IN as god
style while government clerk as he ala III the Country
| town. -, ..
The permission given by the writer to all such to resign
is like the freedom offered the negroes S9utn, Dy s
has nothing TO go with himself leaving his family he
has one, out of the account. .,,,
| ries, In the best of tmesi
Nor are the clerks as class extrayagant aue
in debt among them, but the great are gentlemen
and ladies who respect themselves and believe hey are
| entitled to respect.
MI Editor we must look the facts in the face and be
reasonable, in considering this subject Why Is 1t that
| THE TRIBUNE Company charge us 80 per cent
more for their paper than they dla III 1850 J
| The same necessity impels the clerks 20 ask
an increase of pay and those who have patiently ab0red
when country in the great struggle doing double
OF hours and working Onesixth more hours should have
had their pay increased when the price OF THE TRIBUNE
| went up. ,,. ,.
You know Mr. Editor, that clerks, auditors, commits
sioners and all employees of the Government IN ts CITY
have pay half their salaries for furnished houss
which win compOrt with the respectabity that should
pertain TO ther positions and the other naI Is oy
enough with close economy, TO meet housekeeping eA
penses leaving nothing for pleasure or rainy Day A..
We speak Of the existing state OF thngs; WIN VI L'
causes that produce them we nave ho'ns W uo IN '
| discussion 4. ,,..,
IL be the policy Of the Government 10 dscourag'
what has heretofore been considered aS tending 10 VIZ
tue and political ecOnOmythe family rotation ana OiIe
premium for cehbacy then the present prices II con
tinued under the circumstances, are inc ProPo
means To accOmplis the end. - 49,. ,
The people do not demand OF those VINO serve tn1in
debasng toadyism or niggardly economy. nny, InSn
should the clerks be insued when they ASK Ieasonap
increase Of saaTiesi Does might make rlght, IncD
the eyes OF those who have 50 Vaant
| for justice and eqiidtfyf .. ru,oooDo
object to this for know no reason why congressna
or clerk who his country faithfully now snou
not receive great remuneration as those WHO sorFeu
| In either capacity before the war. 49, ..
| III congressman who acquainted with All the act
In the case consider increase just the people WI" no
| paw much attention TO captious opposition A.
A the clerks ask Mr. Editor IA Just statement OF bh
iac'' W '"o p"O''' P''''' L. HoLTzLASDEE.
| Washington, Jan. 81, 1867.