The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-21


were other than piratcal this government through
the proper channel In such cases, will know better
now 10 dispose OF the proceeds in the hands OF the
\ ssstant Treasurer Otherwise it Ia commended the
mo- ney should be held for The benefit OF the owners
OF va 'sels destroyed by the Alabama.
Defan. ting Clerk in the Treasury Department.
II has or some time been suspected by many In
the Treasy Department that the accounts OF one OF
the clerks OF the Registers oice were not in con-
dition that would reflect credit upon his honesty
and partial inv. stigaton has disclosed the fact OF
his Indebtedness to the government and to outside
parties to the extent or several thousand dollars be-
yond his ability to pay His whereabouts for several
weeks has been unknown, and 1t Is very probable
that he is al considerable distance at this time from
Washington.
Raising the SuIarie, Of the Department
Clerks.
1t Is very probable that Congress will at an early
day-probaby before Its adjournment for the hOli-
days-allow the Extra Compensation bill 10 pass for
the benefit OF the government employees. The bill
will doubtless, be graded one, and giving only the
lower salared clerks compensation, investigation
and inquiries have very generally disclosed the fact
that fully as much capacity and faithrulncss are
found with these as the higher grades.
majority Of members OF both houses are post
lively known to favor bill OF this kind only be-
cause 1t Is supposed there many rebels and those
bitterly hostile TO the coming administration,
plying, mostly, positions of the highest salaries,
which to a considerable extent is true, but perhaps
not to degree generally imagined.
The idea probably gained wide prevalence
altogether from the rather autocratc operations Of
once fourishing institution in Washington known as
the Departmental Clubn-Johnsonian, intensely 80,
in Its character, and which undertook to rule the
clerical force of the denartmanta mt one time fling
applications, as the records OF the departments
will show plainly, for the removal OF all radical
clerks, and during the impeachment trial" and
since making themselves obnoxious to Congress by
threats and carrying on III q most hgh-handed
manner.
The President OF the institution, who belongs to
the Registers office, with few choice associates,
has been particularly active in reporting and hunting
out all Of the least radical tendencies, especially
those who dared TO go home and vote for Grant, and
procuring their dismissal, Is VIGOROUSLY known
III the departments. These gentlemen have all been
rewarded for their high efforts with the best posi-
tons and the heads OF clerks in every way their
superors and longer in the departments.
1t is on these accounts only that Congress hest
tates to pass bill for the employees Of the depart
ments, ana these Jonahs above mentioned are the
only real trouble about the bil and II it should not
be graded one, allowing twenty per cent to all,
then special clause viii doubtless be inserted to
cut them OF entirely and all Others who, upon the
statements OF one more reliable clerks, have been
bitterly hostile TO the coming administration and
have secession sympathies.
This arrangement is little il any known suspect
cd by outsiders yet, the correspondents not yet
imagining anything OF this kind. caricature has
been circulated In Congress, raising great laugh
among the members universally, representing Horace
Greeley as just arrived from New York at Washing
ton and holding up forefinger OF one hand threat
eningly and copy OF the Trionne in the other in
timdatingly to q member OF Congress, who Is ap-
preaching seedy, ragged clerk with a bill OF his
monthly expenses to show and appeal to the mem-
Der for increase OF salary The items ON the clerks
bill for barely living expenses foot up total OF $146
which his salary Of 500 Is insufficient to pay by $46
This caricature is SAID be the strongest argument
yet presented for the bill.
General spinner and the Lady Clerks-A Re.
soIute Woman After Onlce.
As an illustration or the severe 0rdeals through
which the heads OF departments and bureaus have
TO pass In complying with the economical edicts OF
Congress | may relate what TRANSFERRED between
General SPINNER United States Treasurer. and one
OF the fair victims or reduction or the force or
ployes.
Among the ladies discharged from the Registers
Bureau was one who had obtained her appointment
on the recommendations Of General Grant and Com
modore Porter when notified that she one OF
the unfortunatcs this lady did not accept her dis
missal in very amiabe way. Instead or stating her
necessities to the head OF the bureau and requesting
TO be retained she took Il in high dudgeon and in.
formed that officer that she would deal with his
superiors.
She then applied 10 General Spinner for position
In his bureau and he told her he could do nothing
former.
A short time afterwards she returned TO Mr.. Spin
ner with a letter from General Dent, written by
direction OF General Grant. This letter she pre-
scented to Spinner, who read II and replied, "But
have no vacancy and cannot appoint you."
Fooled again, she retreated In good order, and In
day or two returned TO the attack with renewed
vigor armed with another letter, when the follow
ing dialogue occurred between MIR. spinner ana the
lady,
SNOW Mr. Spinner, will you do me the favor TO
read this letterr'
.sfhere Is no use: can do nothing for you'
"But, General, this letter from General Grant"
at matters not who the letter Is from. you have
my answers
s'But what shall 1 say 10 General Crants-
sslel him just what l have said-that there Is no
vacancy
swell Mr.. spinner, wish you would read this let
ter, for | have Just come from General Grant,
~ have no place for you. Madam. and couldn't
give you one II you were an angel from Cod
At this blunt but decisive reply the lady was for
some time speeches. though she sti fingered, re-
luciant to give no the coveted prize. While she
stood there who should step in but General Grant
himself.
He had scarcely entered the door when the lady
few 10 MIN aud poured forth her grievances.
"Can't you find situation for this lady Mr.. Spin
ner ~ asked Grant.
Spinner turned to the General and, Yankee like,
answered his question by asking another.
general, II man came 10 you with whole cart
load OF the very best recommendations and asked
you 10 appoint him captain in regiment OF infan-
ry which already supplied with Its full compile
ment OF officers, what would you say to himr'
q / should tell him there no vacancy, Think
"That Is precisely the case, General, in this in
stance"