New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-20
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
A PROyIsO ABOLISHING ALL DISTINCTION BE
TWEEN MALE AND FEMALE CLERKS.


proyiso was added to the Appropriation bill on
Saturday, by small majority, in very thin house.
which abolishes all distinction between the male
and female employees Of the Treasury Department in
the matter of salary. At present there is nnmer-
ous class of employees officially designated as female
clerks. whose salary is 5000 per annum. Women
are also eligible to the better paid grades OF clerk
ships held by men, and not few receive as high as
81 coo and $3.50 a gear. BY far the greater num-
Der, however belong to the iirst-named class, which
can only be filed by female appointees. The effect
of the proyiso will be to abolish this class and add
ts occupants to the lowest grade of regular clerk
ships, of which the salary is $1,000. There
was no debate on the proposition, but much IS
said against it in conversation, by people who
strongly favor the system of giving women Govern
ment employment. 1t is argued that IL there is no
class of cerkships reserved exclusively fer women,
they will be crowded out of the Treasury by men
who. having political influence, viii possess great
advantage in the keen strife for Office. Such women
as succeed in obtaining retaining positions under
these circumstances will it is feared, be the least
deserving persons in short those who have peculiar
claims upon the services of Congressman and other
influential officials rather than those whose worth
and ability to perform the required duties make
them desirable clerks. AS to the question of
salary there is something to be said on
both sides While il is true that many women who
receive but $500 render service of more value than
is rendered by hundreds OF male clerks who get
81 200 or 81 400 it is equally true that rule, the
work of the female clerks is either copying or count
ing money, which does not require great amount of
talent and that their salary of $50 a month is
more liberal compensation than the majority Of
women teachers and others III unofficial employ
ments receive whose, vacations demand degree of
talent and integrity fully high is required for
a Treasury clerk.
MRS JAMES X. POLK'S CLAIM.
Mrs. James X Polk. widow Of the late President
Polk, some time since submitted claim TO the Com
missioners of Claims for 5000 for property taken
by Federal troops during the late war. The prop
erty consisted Of 10 mules, valued of $500 EACH and
two saddles and brides worth $40. Mrs. Polk testi-
fed that the beginning of the Rebellion her whole
sympathies and feelings were for the Government
and she thought secession was wrong and spoke
against it. After the war began her sympathies
were with the Southern people, as relatives
and citizens; but she never sympathized with
efforts TO break up the Government, and
in her actions and sympathies she adhered to
the Government throughout the war, never vol
uptarily aiding the Confederacy in any way.
Two colored servants and her testified to
the taking OF the property ana one OF the servants
said letter from Mrs. Polk, who was then at her
residence in Davidson County Tenn, was shown 10
the officer i'm command requesting all ederal troops
10 resDect and spare her property. Inc COllmis
s;oners If Claims have reported TO the House That
tLev arc not satisfied with the evidence, and have
directed that the claim be further investigated Dy
one of thsir agantA They say Mrs Folks testimony