, 1874-02-21
CLERKS AND EMPLOYERS.

work to please deserves to be paid with praise.
Henry BRCsKEy1Tz.
CLERKS AND EMPLOYERS.
To ths Editor Of This Chicago Tribune:
s1n: Tho relations sustained By clorks to
their employers arc source OF many troubles,
and occasion unpleasant thoughts. and often
tin,es result in mutual and reciprocal hatred. In
many departments Of business the compensa-
tim SLOWED to clerks Ia 80 small that the sons
Of wealthy men have
MONOPOLY or TIE PLACES.
which operates unfarorably in two ways: 1t
drives away largo and meritoriouB class of
voune men. while it introducc8 another, vino,
from the very nature Of tho case, cannot
take 30 active an interest as those whom
want and necessity urge forward The influence
of these rich clerks in situations where little or
no compensation is allowed is very pernicious in
inducing habits OF extravaganza, inattention to
businees. and OF substituting the swell manno1B
and fash appearance Of the~roue for the gontle
manly bearing and manly dignity Of the good
citizen. In branches of trade where CON-
ponsation is allowed, it is generally too small
for the interests Of both parties
ENLIGHTENED sELF18uyEss
would seem to dictate reform in this matter.
Wo arm nroyerbia1 for our thrift, and have char-
actet for knowing what Investments will produce
tho bcat dividends; and I submit, whether an
investment in the shape Of increased salaries
would not exhibit as large returns as any stock
known to the Board OF Brokers.
Let any of our Chicago merchants reflect how
large portion OF the details Of his businc6s is
in the hands of clerks. and how powerful an
aceucy thcy exert in his affalrs,- s,-how often hels
tic victim Of their negligence, incompetcncy. or
diBtonesty,-and he will perceive the great ne
cessity for care in the selection; and may We not
hope careful investigation OF the subject WILL
lead him most cheorfully to pay
AMPLE REMUNERATION
for services rendered? For a poorly-paid, dis
pirited clerk is not 80 valuable as one who takes
IN active interest IN his employers affairs, aud
goes to his business in oarnest.
A boy whose existence is an experiment, show
inr the lowest point at which body and soul eau
be prevented from diRsolvlng their painful con
nection, is as far from being the living lnteu1-
eence he Was created for, as are the jaded aud
csrayan-cages below their brothren Of tue bound
less forest. It will always be found the trucst
policy to practice tho inspired precept. The
aborer is worthy Of his hire"
There is strange
WANT or CONFIDENCE
exhibited in tho intercourse between merchants
aud their clerks. Too frequently their CONVEX
eaticn resembles what may be termed cross
examination. Confidence begets confidence. No
merchant Of. our large city, who possesses the
least" spark OF learning and talent. ia above
learning many important points OF intelligence,
respectiug both men and business, from his
vonns men. Each Of the parties move IN diff
ferent circle and the clork, from the nature Of
lis companions las many opportunities OF OBJ
tanning valuable information equal to that which
his master enjoys.
What would lie said Of An officer or military
commander, and what would be his SUCCESS and
fate, did he not avail himself Of all the talent
and diversity OF character in his subordinate
officers And should 4 merchant lose all tho
advantages to be obtained from an active exer-
cso OF ali the talents and means OF information
his clerks possess
Another evil, which is more prevalent than
formerly, is
THE FALSE HOPES
often held out to young men to inducc sactl-
fee of present good upon tho promise OF future
adyaucement.-an advancement which is always
future and ideal. What greater crime can
be committed against society than to coo1ly cal
cu1ate how fur one can speculate upon the rls-
ing hopes of young man, by basely holding
before him delusion, which, when exposed, Will
send him forth to the world q disappointed man,
the victim of generous confidence, OF human
cupidiry. and the foulest wrongs. What IL life
worth when honor is gone? And WHO shall re-
pair the ruin to that mind, cheated of lts fond
eat prospects, and alnred to sacrifice its time IN
vain1ly chnsing bubble, which bursts ere the
hand could grasp it's emptincss? Let no young
man for one moment imagine, however, that,
because his manhood is not acknowledged, and
his better nature and nobler impulees arc not
thus appealed to- there is on bis part, any reln1-
ation OF tho
HIGHEST MORAL OBLIGATION
to do everything in his power to advance the in
terest OF his employer. No neglect or rerniss-
ness Of the employer cau obllterate hls claims to
n1l the ability and force Of character possessed
plain because bis life and enjoyments form no
portion OF the thoughts. and engage no atten,
ton of tho man who claims his time and
talents. Two wrongs will not make
one right. And the young man whose
daily actions and every movement are regulated
by any such narrow and groyeling standard fails
in the duty be owes to another aud to himself.
Should negligence and heedessness become q
habit, the injury to the employer ia transient
and temporary; whilo the evils of which they
are the prolific parents will follow their unfortn-
nate victim through life, and prove curse. from
whose whitening influence he will never be dis
enthral1ed.
The lessons OF the past and the united voices
OF reason and revelation, urge the Young man
forward to his duty in every relation Of hfe By
tile constant exercise Of fidelity, he will
RISE SUPERIOR 70 THE OBSTACLES
which seem to arrest lis progress and, by serv-
ing others, he will confer Tasting benefit upon
himself. Enlightened self-interest will press
him onward in the path which duty and obliga-
ton mark out, and he will show the world, and
experience himself, the wisdom which dictated
to Bon the wise counsel:
To thine OWN sell be true;
Aud 1t must follow, IS the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
g. B.
Some of k3ismarck,a Maxtn1s, Taken
from EIis Parliamentary Speeches.
When pushed to extremes, prefer my shlrt