The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-09-30
New York Clerks.
WHAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO AND HOW
THEY LIVE.

The New York correspondent OF the Prov
dence Press describes the life Of the clerks in
that city:
Some of the establishments have as many as
two hundred clerks in their employ. They are
expected to dress well, to keep up with the
fashions. 30 as to be in keeping with the gene
raj style of things about them. They must be
at business promptly at o'clock ia the m,rn-
ing. strict account being kept OF any failure
to do 80, which is reported by the head Of the
depart tment to the general manager. All the
day long they are kept on their feet, under
watcbful eyes, and with multitude Of details
to attend to; and at noon they must hurry oct
for hasty lunch and be back as soon as possl-
BILE, flying the day through until or 8 o'clock
at night In the busy season they are liable to
be worked until II or II o'clock at night; and
in the dull season, which comes on the city
often enough, they are just as liable to be dis.
charged at weeks notice, even though they
have been years in the house, and been faith
full in every way.
It's weI-known fact that New York me--
chants care nothing for the interests Of their
clerks; and the larger and more prosperous
the house, the more anxious it is to save 9 few
dollars by cutting down hands in dull times.
The supply of clerks is always 80 large that at
the approach of busy days they can easily fill
up again. With the exception OF men who
bring trade and are engaged by contract, no
clerk is sure OF his place beyond the passing
week. And for it all what salary is received 2
BY careful search through all branches of
trade, it is found the average is not over H-
teen dollars week, falling in some, yes In many
cases, far below that, and rising, in few e1-
ceptiOns, lar above. Thus the head bookkeeper
Of prominent Broadway house gets salary
of thirteen thousand dollars, win unoer him
al no less than six men, having the brunt OF
the work to do, who are paid three dollars q
day. There are men in other houses who en-
ioy princely incomes, because they have drawn
one of the prizes of trade; they have trade OF
their own, which brings in large sums to their
employer; they are paid for their work with
unstinted hand. But all around them are men
without this special advantage, though compe'
tent, who are barely getting living.
Go into other lines OF business An entry
clerk IN great grocery, or produce, or tea
house, is thought we'll paid, for the first few
wears at least, with five hundred salary. He
must be crack pensman, and devote himself
like dray horse to business, even to retain
the po-ltion, where as In this overcrowdeo
city, so many are eager to get it. A young
friend of mine worked ei1 years in cne wealthy
commission house, giving night and day to
the affairs, hoping each season, as he saw his
services were worth more than he was getting,
that the firm would raise his salary. At last
his efficient business quality attracted the
attention Of rival company, who offered him
large advance. He announ' ed his intention
Of leaving his employer, who then woke up TO
his value. and told him ne could Lot spare him,
and wanted him to name the salary he wished.
And this Is q fair sample Of the mercantile
style in New York.
The clerks in banks are we'll paid, well treat
ed, and oftentimes are provided with dinners
free. Iu fact, some OF the banks get up daily
luxurious dinner for their clerks, serving it
hot and nice in the back parlor or other room
provided for the purpose. These fortunates
also receive o semi-y early gift from the bank
for faithful service, ranging from Fifty to three
hundred dollars. And, as might be supposed,
there are five hundred applicants for every va
cancy that occurs.