National Republican., 1873-01-09
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE,
Answer TO "Bu-inc-- Man,

Answer 'bhsiutNS
EDITOR REPUBLICAN, In the REPUBLICAN OF
yesterday appears a communication headed
"views Of q Business Man. upon the much agi-
tated subject Of an increase Of salary to Govern
ment employees. did not intend TO participate
In the discussion pro or con for two reasons:
First, I would not be benefited II the salaries
were increased, being only general service"
clerk, with q salary much less than that OF
clerk Of class one. Second, do not think any
thing is to bo gained by q public discussion
through the newspapers. ] have therefore con-
cluded "for this occasion only" TO pay my re
apects TO Business Man" exclusively, In order
10 correct errors made by him, and which are
too frequently committed by business men un-
acquainted with clerical duties, or the method'
Of appointment, or assignment OF clerks TO the
different grades In the Departments. lie un-
doubtedly thinks that clerks OF the higher grades
are, and OF necessity must be, superior In intel
lect TO clerks OF the lower classes; and his words
"While the necessity for a superior education
may be true In many instances among the third
and fourth class clerks, II Is also true that II re-
gulres but a very ordinary education to discharge
the duties Of the lower class"
II he would take trip through the different
Departments and witness the number Of clerks
count. I with clerks Of the higher class al The next
desk engaged upon mere routine work, copying,
&C., that any one cando VINO Is a fair penman
and can read, he would soon learn what ne does
| salary In Government Departments, and In many
instances the lower class clerks perform the
most difficult work. do not wish 10 be under
stood as rejecting personally upon the quallfica-
tons OF the higher class clerks; l only wish 10
Impress upon the mind OF "Buslness Man the
fact thatA clerks ability must not be determined
does require, In too many instances, men Of
| more than ordinary education to discharge the
duties Of the lower classes.
| Again, he says: al have been, and am now, ac-
qualnted with number OF clerks, and l know OF
| none that are distinguished for attalnments In
learning above my other associates.r "Good
enoughlr but what Is the educational status Of
those "other assoclates7n He may be "in hard
luck7 In his selection Of Associates" including
| "clerks."
But enough. The question Is not what man
can live on, but on what he can support himself
In q style benttlng his station In life A lAboreT
lives on ti.50 per day, and In some cases saves
money. A man can live on dry bread and salt
pork, after he gets used 10 Il, but some persons
would die getting used 10 Il. ought 10 com.
plain. ! am living on a salary amounting u
about $50 per month, and "I am happy" but
could use few dollars more, and then only live
decentiy and respectfully.
Once more, and am done. A cleik has to bt
educated TO clerical duties. A salesman In Anl
private business has also to become thoroughly
acquainted with such business, and must have
natural qualifications TO insure success, and a.
he becomes proficient, and his services becom,
valuable, his salary Is increased. Not so witt
the clerk. lie may possess all the qualities tina
go TO make up an excellent clerk and yet remaiI
at the same salary until death comes to his re
ferred. for an increase Of salary. Blessed ar,
they who expect nothing; they shall not be dis
appointed. Such Is the case with
| GENERAL SERVICE