, 1874-02-22
CLERKS AND EMPLOYERS.

CLERKS AND EMPLOYERS.
To thu Editor Of 77hx Chicago Tribune:
gm: The relations sustained by clorks to
their employers are source OF many troubles,
aud occasion unpleasant thoughts, and often
times result in mutual and reciprocal hatred. In
many departments OF business the compenaa-
ton allowed to clerks is 80 small that the sons
OF wealthy men have .
MONOPOLY OF THE PLACER.
which operates unfavorab1y in two ways: it
drives away large and meTitorious class OF
yorsg mon, whi1o it introduces another, who,
from the very nature OF the case, cannot
take 80 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 petnicious in
inducing habits Of extravaganza, inattention to
business, and OF substituting the swell manners
and flash appearance of the rouo for the gentle
manly bearing and manly dignity OF the good
citizen. In branches Of trade where COM
pensation is allowed, it is generally too small
tor the interests OF both parties.
ENLIGHTENED sELFlsuSEss
would seem to dictate reform in this matter
acter for knowing what Investments will produce
the best dividends; and I submit whether an
Investment iD 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 business is
in the hands Of clerks, and how powerful an
agency they exert in his affairs, how often heis
the victim Of their negligence, lncompetency. or
dishonesty, be will perceive the great ne
cessity for care in the selection and may We not
lead him most cheerfuliy to pay
AMPLE REMUNERATION
for services rendered? For pooTly-paid, dis
pi1ited clerk il not so valuable as one who takes
an active interest IN bis employers affairs, and
goes to his business in oarpest.
4 boy whose existence iH an experiment, show
ing the lowest point ut which body and soul can
be prevented from disBolying their painful con-
ncction, is as far from being the living intelli-
gence he was created for. as arc the jaded aud
brokop-spirited animals We SEQ carted about in
cafayaa-cagcs below their brethren of the bound
less forest. It will always be found the trueat
policy to practice the inspired -precept, The
aborer is worthy OF his hire"
There is strange
WANT OF coSF1pEycE
exhibited in the intercourse between merchants
and their clerks. Too frequently their conye1-
sation resembles what may be termed cross
examination. Confidence begets confidence. No
merchant Of our large city, who possesses tho
least spark OF learning and talent. u above
learning many important points OF intelligence,
respecting both men and business, from his
young men. Each Of the parties moso in dif
ferent circle; and tue clerk, from tho nature OF
his companions has many opportunities OF OBJ
t.ining valuable information equal to that which
his master enjoys.
What would DO said Of an officer on military
hat he md
fate, did he not avail himself Of nil the talent
aud diversity Of character in his- subordinate
of6cera And should merchant lose all the
advantages to bo obtained from an active e1es-
c'so OF all the talents and moans Of information
his clerks posscsB7
Another evil, which is more prevalent than
formerly, is
THE FALSE HOPES
often held ont to young men to induce sacri-
fee OF present good upon the promise OF future
future and ideal. What greater crime can
be committed against society than to coolly cal
culate how far one can speculate upon the ri8-
ine hopes OF young man, BY oasely holding
before him dclusion, which, when exposed, will
send him forth to the world disappointed man,
the victim Of generous confidence. OF human
cupidiry, and the foulest wrongs. What ls life
worth when honor ia gone? And who shall ro-
pair the ruin to that mind, cheated Of its fond
est prospects, and allured to sacrifice it's tino in
hand could grasp its emptiness? Let no young
man tor ono moment imagine, however, that,
because his manhood is not acknowledged, and
his better natule and nobler impulses arc not
thus appealed to, there is, On his part any relax
alton OF the
HIGHEST MORAL OBLIGATION
to do everything in lis power to advance the in
terest OF Lis employer. No neglect OF remiss-
ness OF the employer can ob1iterate his claims to
all the ability and force Of character possessed
By tho young man. His duty is none the less
plain because bis life and enjoymeuts form no
portion OF the thoughts md engage no atten-
tion Of the man WHO GLAZING his timo and
talents. Two, wrongs will not make
daily actions and every movement are regulated
BY any such narrow and groveing standard fails
IN the duty be owes to another and to himself.
Should negligence and heedleeeness become
habit the injury to tho employer is transient
Ind temporary; while the evils of which they
arc the prolific parents will follow their unfortu-
aate victim through life, and prove curse, from
whose whitening influence he will never be dis
enthralfed.
The lessons Of the past, and the united voices
II reason and revelation, urge the young man
forward to his duty in every relation Of llfe- By
lbs constant exercise Of fidelity, he will
11sE SUPERIOR TO TIE OBSTACLES
which seem to arrest Ills progress; and, by aev-
himself. Enlightened self-iutereBt will press
lin onward in the path which duty and obliga-
ion mark out, and he will show the world, and
experience himself, the wigdon which dictated
o son the wise counsel:
To thine own self be true;
And it must follow, the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.