Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-29

Probably no question 20 be settled az the
coming or some future session OF Congress is OF
more interest 20 oar Washington readers 5han
tie increase OF government salaries. In con-
nection with the civil service reform, about
which SO much has been said and 30 little Is
known, every one seems 90 admit that IL the
government wants better servants IL must paw
better prices G., IL il submits all applicants
for Office 70 rigid educational tests, Il mast give
larger salaries TO those who are cspable of
passing the required examinations. The bu-
reau heads, CLERKS, and, in short, all the en-
ployes OF the government, take this view OF the
subject, very naturally; and in their converse
tons with members insist that their qualinca-
tons shall be recognized as freely In the public
as il would be in private service. The opinions
OF the majority Of the Cabinet on these ques-
tons may be brieiS stated as folloNs:
Secretary Fish thinks more work with more
pay will secure more satisfactory service TO the
government.
Postmaster General Creswell, a. already re-
ported in TIE STAR, says "the difference be-
tween the man who seeks an office and the one
you seek for an ofice is simply infnity." He
thinks We ought to pay liberal though no, eI-
trayagsnt salaries, so that government orhcisls
can at least educate their children aud live
comfortably during their term OF ofice.
Secretary Robson, while urgently adyocat-
ing economy, agrees with Secretary Fish that
more work would lie realized by the govern
ment from the employ ment Of q lesser and more
capable number OF men AZ larger salaries than
we get now from the regiments OF newspaper
readers who NIL the clerks desks in many OF the
departments.
Secretary Boutwell, expresses similar views.
but insists on strict discipline during Office
hours as a prerequisite for the cure OF most OF
the ills that Official life is heir to. He thinks his
clerks ought to find some other time for their
newspaper reading than oficial hours. He IL
willing TO increase salaries wherever the respon-
sibility OF the incumbents duties is sufficient to
warrant 1t, and thinks the morale OF the service
would be improved by a rigid adherence to
prescribed rules, with rewards for those who,
from their good behavior, merit them, either
by promotion or especial commentator.
Secretary Delano is In favor OF q reduction OF
the force now engaged in his Department, and
will soon execute the design which he is now
maturing to that effect. He is also in favor OF
a moderate increase OF salaries, SO as 70 make
them commensurate with the responsibilities OF
the duties performed. He is particularly in
favor OF the increase OF tie pay OF bureau
heads.
In brief, the foregoing are the views OF those
OF the Cabinet with whom we have couyersed
on this subject; but, as we have heretofore
stated, II lie not certain that they will make any
allusion 10 the subject in their annual reports.
Next in importance, and perhaps first, are the
views OF Congressman on these questions. Sen
ator Williams Is pronounced in the opinion that
"everybody's salary ought to be rsised.p He
proposes to give the President 500, coo year
Cabinet officers $4,000, Congressman $4,000
and 10 increase the pay of other officials in the
same ratio.
Senator Pomeroy entertains similar liberal
views.
Senator Schurz also advocates an increase of
salaries, but does not ok exact amounts. He
Intists, however, that progressive system OF
Official life should be adopted, not unlike the
promoters in the military service. He thinks
that the most effective and thorough civil ser
vice we can have, will follow from the natural
ambition of lower grades Of employees TO gain
promotion, which can only be obtained through
meritorioUs exsrtions.
Senator Trumbull is also IN favor Of increased
pay, but has not given the subject as much con-
siderston as he thinks il deserves, SO that lac ia
not prepared to give an opinion as to the amount
efincrease. He reiterstes his views OF the i'm
portance OF holding department and bureau
heads responsible tor the efficiency of their
subordinates, and proposes to give them full
sway, both in the matter Of appointments and
salaries OF subordinates.
These are but few of the many opinions in
approval Of the claim Of government employees
for additional compensation, that we have COL
lected. In fact, We find but very few followers
OF Mr.. Greeleys opinion that our public ser
wants are overpaid, but great many Of them,
particularly among the members of the Hou q,
qualify their approval by the statement that the
people generally accept the prices now paid as
extravassnt.