Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-17
Department Clerks.

EDITOR STAR: By way of retrenchment, il is
proposed to cut down the salaries and the num-
Der Of clerks, and TO increase the hours OF en-
plOyment in the departments. The idea of re-
uenchment, by the means proposals, of course,
plausible one. Congressman propose it, pre-
sent bills to carry il out, and a willing cOnstit-
uency believe the country is TO be greatly re-
llcEed by carrying 1t out. The fact is, il is
great cry and little WOOL" What Congressman
who has not been at the head of department
is sufficiently informed upon the workings of
the departments TO know what salaries are
proper, what number of clerks are required,
and what hours of employment are necessary
and practicable? The idea with Congressman
generally is. that the necessary qualifications
for clerkships in the departments are such only
as are required TO keep debit and credit ac-
count IN country store. 1t is a mistaken
idea. There are Congressman who know bet
ter large part OF the clerical labor OF
the departments consists in the application
OF the laws of Congress TO particular subjects
Copying letters, and the application of the sim
pler rules of arithmetic, are but small items OF
that clerical labor. What the law authorizes
and does not authorize, are questions which en-
gage the minds of clerks, mostly. And in order
that the business of the departments may be
performed, in accordance with the laws of Con-
gress, 1t is absolutely nee sssary to have men of
ability to perform il. The Secretary, except in
special and extraordinary cases, has, necessari-
ly, to depend upon his clerks for the action of
the department. 1t would be a matter of impos-
sibIlity for the Secretary to examine into the
many questions which must be passed upon
daily by him. 1t Is matter Of great Importance,
therefore, 10 him TO have clerks on whom he
may feel that he can depend. Many of the
clerks feel the responsibility OF their positions.
They feel that in the letters they write and de-
clslons tney make upon the many questions AMI
claims presented to the department, the delica-
cy, as well as the resi- onsibility of their posi-
lions. They are liable to commit errors;
and when they do, their errors are published
aserrors OF the Secretary. The Secretary is held
responsible by the public. The clerks there
lore, knowing and feeling the delicacy AID re-
nf fhnf
should be paid, not S'iHfingly. And such too, Is
the opinion of the Secretary who appreciates
their services. The Secretary expects his clerks
70 be faithful to him and to the government
and is willing they should be fairly paid. There
can be no doubt but that he feels comfortable
when satisfied in his mind, that he can rely
July upon the ability, faithfulnesS and integrity
chair.
Who better able to judge of the number of
clerks necessary TO carry on the business of the
department than the head of the department?
AS to the number necessary in each OF the diff
ierent bureaus, the Secretary is infor ned by and
must rely upon the heads of bureaus The
heads OF the bureaus know, certainly, what
number OF clerks they require. They are
familiar, in detail, with the business Of their
Offices. They know exactly what work each
bureau. be is perfectly familiar with the casaT.
seter and amount Of work done therein. And
cerIalnly, holding the high office he holds, he
shOuiu De permitted TO say what number of
$4,000 Iie requires, ana the grades.
AS to the hours Of employment, there is no
kind of legerdemain yet discovered that can
get more out Of a man than there is in him. A
man may use his right arm manfully, and
handle heavy weights almost play fully tor hours
by taking proper rest and recreation, but yet
he cannot steadily hold that right arm straight
out, with only the weight of feather upon ii,
for any considerable time. A mans mind may
be kept on a strain for a certain length of time.
but his power is not perpetual, and neither
laws nor regulations can make 1t so. A clerk
goes TO his Office at nine O'Clock in the morning.
He is there till three. II he be attentive to his
business he tires, and his mind becomes dull
before that time. He cannot 60 to the office
after breakfast, return home to dinner, rest an
hour or two, and then 60 back TO the office re-
freshed and reiDyigorated, ready for a few more
hours labor. The current business o. the de-
PartmeDt IL mostly accomplished about noon
That is the time when most calls are made on
the Secretary, ana when clerks are most liable
10 be called on by the Secretary in reference to
business In their hands. 1t would be altogether
lmpracticable and Injurious to the service for
clerks to be absent from their desks at that
nme. And If clerks cannot leave their desks
tiL the expiration Of Office hours, the addition
OF more hours would only have the effect to
unnt them, In q measure, for the work required
OF them. The more you wear man out, the
less there Is OF him to wear out CLERK.