Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-07
J. H. BECKwITH.
DEC. 8. 1869.


Friend Ear1e-I saw in a recent number
of your paper, in letter from Washing
ton, another defense of Horace Greedy for
his supposed interference against govern
ment employees in the matter of increased
compensation, and carrying the idea that
many clerks who went home to New York
to vote, cast their ballots rgainst Mr.. Gree
ly. Well, | am clerk, receiving small
pay and | voted in New York, and for Mr..
Greedy, because l supposed him honest,
and the nominee of the party. Still L
must say that | think it argues against
some quality in Mr.. Greedy, either his head
or his heart, that he so inveterately oppOs-
es any increase of compensation to en-
ployes here, when he knows that millions
are squandered elsewhere, and also knows,
for he does know that $1,000 or S1400 is
very small pay in Washington. The sum
appears large to some but when the ex
pense of living is taken into account it
leaves little or nothing to a man with any
family. House rent is so high that it is
generally considered cheaper to board, and
yet the average price of single room is
$50 per month, and average price of board
500 or S65 per month for two. Now take
a family of four persons and the poorest
school-boy can tell how much would be
left of a first or second class clerks salary
wherewith to buy clothes. And then in
case of sickness the Doctors bill, &C., &c,
is incalculable. Now why are not Mr..
Greedy and the nation willing that en-
ployes should receive such compensation
as will enable them not only to live but to
save something? There is one popularity
in the mind of even the officials here,
which is, that the high class clerks are
better entitled to increased compensation
| than low, as if a man receives $500 there
is more reason for an increase of compen.
sation than there would be if it was but
$1,000, on the ground that he is a SKILLED
laborer Now a large majority of the
| clerks are first or second class-Sl200 or
/ S1400 salary-and of these there are many
that are Just as skillful as those receiving
the higher salary. There are those who
receive $1,000 or S1400, and yet supervise
the work of those who have $500. As a
general thing the clerks of this department
are industrious, and discharge their duties
well. There are few shams and drones,
but they are few compared to the whole
number. Why then, should not employees
receive compensation adequate not only
for their support but for their profit? |
cannot see why, if it is necessary to have
them, it is not right to give them fair COM
pensation. True, there are thousands who
would be glad to get the places even at
present prices, perhaps even lower; but 50
are there thousands who would be glad to
get the place of Horace Greely, or any 9th
er man in success fu business. !
would be willing to take ''the job of fill
ing both houses Of congress twice full, with
men too, who would do the business well
for a thousand dollars gear. And if that
! NOUIu llOl uO iltN Nuulu HlOSl = ttuLl OdhS
the places for no salary whatever. Yes
and doubt not there are men who would
assume the responsibilities and cares ofthe
Presidential mansion if it brought with il
"a loss, or at most no salary. Why, A
T. Stewart offered to give what would
amount to four millions a year if he coulC
be secretary of the treasury, and many ar,
sorry that the constitution was so wordeC
as to prevent it. What then is the true
course for our great and rich country t
adopt? Call men to its employment wh'
will serve gratuitously, or make the bes
selection they can and then pay them, from
the highest to the lowest, fair, yes, a gen
er0us compensation? To my mind the lat
ter course is not only most magnanimous
but most wise, and most decent, as it woul,
certainly be most profitable to the country
J. H. B.