Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-02-01
Refrenchn,cnt AMI Reform.

ment in the administration OF the aiialrS
of the government This expression OF
sentiment was manifested by all politi-
cal parties during our late Presidential
election. and may be regarded as the
universal desire of the people. we diu
not then. nor do we now sowell agree as
to the propriety of paying the NatIonai
debt, but believing as agrcat mass OF the
American people do, that the dept
should be paid to the last dollar. the
money which is collected from every
citizen for this purpose should not ne
sauandered by the government, III use
less expenditures.
Our taxes are weighty, yet the tax
payer being conscious that the debts
which were contracted during the war
to maintain the government, are honest
w due from the government, cheerfuily
bears his burden that they may be PAID.
There Is no reason however why we
should be needlessly taxed to support III
office. men aud women whose services
are of no account to the government
whatever. The following article from
the Windsor Chronicle tells an interest
ing story:
Some weeks ago it was announced
that about one hundred female clerks
in one of the Departments at Washing
ton. were to be discharged. When the
appointed time came, notice, it is SAID,
was given of leave to go. But what was
the result? The good ladies took their
bonnets and shawls and repaired at once
to influential members of Congress for
aid in their tribulations. or course these
susceptible gentlemen could not decline
to use their influence for the revocation
of an order so cruel as that which de-
prived needy women of daily bread
Something must needs be done, anu ana
nothing could so we'll be done for these
fair netitioners. as a restoration to their
vacated desks.
As to need of their services, it was OF
little moment. The discharge was cru
el and its wrong must be repaired bylm-
mediate disappointment. So the good
men set out upon their benevolent mis-
sion, and they created such clamor for
restoration that the chief OF the Depart,
ment could not Withstand the noise, and
within short time, nearly the whole
hundred walked back again to their
places in high glee albeit, there was
This is the story of correspondents,
and 1t is very likely to be substantially
true.
TO what then are we coming? a
grand pilgrimage Of patriotic males anu
females from every quarter of the coun'
try to the Departments at Washington
for support at the national Treasury!
Is Washington become great political
aims house? If so, let us have some
reasonable equality, ana not permit all
favors to be bestowed on the fortunate
handu and lin clover" Pray let us
have rotation if nothing more, and il
the fair sex are to possess the Depart
ments let our country women, as wei
rs the city ladies have an equal share OF
the delectable plumber.
These female clerks, we believe, were
first introduced by military necessi-
ty" into the Departments at Washing
ton, during the war, but that reason NJ
longer pleads for their retention. The
war brought with it vast amount o
department work, with corresponding
Increase of clerical force, which shoult
vanish upon our return to peace foot
ing. If there are reasons of economy
why female clerks should remain, lie
these re lsOns have their full weight il
the morals of Washington are improved
by their presence, by all means let then
alone; but the people demand that thu
"weeding out process" should tie insti
tuted in the departments.
The nation wants more laborers in thu
school-house, kitchen, workshop ant
field; it requires more producers ant
less consumers everywhere. The mar
who earns his honest dollar by thu
sweat of his brow. and with difficulty
supports his family and pays his homes
debts, has q right to know where hi
money goes in payment of taxes. If h
objects to its being squandered by tn
Government upon useless clerks and thu
like, no one need be surprised.
The people are anxious to maintain
the Government, and are willing to pa.
the public debt, and they look. to tn
administration of Gen. Grant to reform
many evils Of extravagance,w which hav
crept into almost every portion of on
political fabric during our recent troub
les. Gen. Grant will have enough to d
for awhile, but he will master the stu
atiCn. So far in life he has been suffi
cient for every emergency, and he
just the man upon whom the people cal
now rely to carry out their wishes.
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