The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1870-06-09
Clerks and CIerkships.

Clerkships in banks, insurance Of
fees, etc., are looked upon by groa
numbers of young men as extremely
desirable positions, and the rush fo
such positions in all large cities is ap
to be so great as far to 0utrun the de
mand. But the wisdom of this courst
is questionable, to say the least. Very
many who deem themselves fortunate
in securing such places, rise but LITTLE
higher after years of waiting, anC
virtually unfit themselves in after life
for occupations requiring selfrelianct
and independence, a training indeed
that these young men have ignored in
their present position, and cannot af
terward acquire. We clip from a pa
per before US, some judicious remarks
on this subject by VIM. A Wbitbeck
Esq, Of New York, whose intelligence
and experience we'll fit him to give
advice to those specially concerned:
In insurance offices and Wall street
offices generally, the duties of clerks
are somewhat different from those oi
bank clerks; yet in all these places the
routine is the same, as far as the
clerks are concerned. Even positions
as bOOk-keepers in mercantile houses,
though the duties are more varied
than in banks, ETC., are, after all,
about of the same character. The
bOok-keeper simply keeps accounts,
and in New York, especially, is sup
posed to know nothing outside of the
railing that surrounds his desk.
These situations are rather attract
i've to young men. The duties not
being labOrious, and being performed,
for the most part, within few speci-
fed hours OF the day, the employees
have much time to themselves. The
associations connected with the, Q
clerkships are pleasant and agreeable,
and the salaries paid may be consid-
cred fair compensation for the ser
vices rendered. To a young man
seeking bis first situation as clerk the
compensation may seem large. The
salaries are not apt to be raised very
much, however, and when estimated
in connection with personal expenses,
we have no doubt they soon seem
very small. For the tendency to ex-
pensive habits on the part of young
men in these places is very strong in
deed. They are almost sure to culti-
vate some very refined tastes, partic-
ulaFly in the matter of dress. The
do very we'll for few years,
but in the end are insufficient for
the establishment of homes or the
Of families, at all in keeping
with the habits and desires of these
clerks.
There is no promotion attending
of this kind, and, as a con-
sequence of this, a young man, after
spending years, perhaps, performing
mere machine work, so to speak, up
On a salary that is barely sufficient for
bis support, finds at length that he is
his time without. learning
my business, that he is no better off
han when he first began, and has no
for the future at all salts
factory to himself. He finds, in
short, that be must give up his situa-
ion and commence anew, or else set
lie down in his present condition and
De content with mere routine work,
lpon a small salary, for the rest Of.
lis life.
No young man who desires to sue
,eed in business has any time to lose
n shufling about in experimental
;lerkships; and after finishing his
chool education the sooner he makes
.hoice of business for life and sets
himself diligently at work to learn
md become successfully established,
be better. No young man can af-
ord to make a mistake in his choice
# business the first choice should be
be true one. And for this reason we
would say to young men in regard to
outline clerkships, by no means ac-
ept place of that kind, not even if
he salary is large; it may seem large
It first, but there can be no compen-
alton to a young man for loss of
ime. Indeed, we are sincerely of the
piniOh that a young man, at the
tart, had better work for nothing, or
ven pay for the privilege Of going
nto an establishment where be can
earn a good business, than to take
ne Of these clerkships at any price.