National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-03
GOTERNNENT CLERKS AGAIN.


To ths Editor Of the National Republican:
SIE: AS l presume you are willing that Gov
ernmeBt clerks should be fairly represented in
your paper, would ask for a small space in
which to reply to H' in your issue Of the LIST inst
We are so often treated to a lecture as to our
manner Of living that we are somewhat disguised
with the subject, as the orator usually starts of
with the idea that the persons at whom he is aim
ing his harangue are not social, Intelligent Ameri
GancitiEens, but serfs who are living of the Gov
eminent, as the cOrmOTsnt fattens on the carcass
If the clerk was disposed, and even anxious to
add to his meagre salary by outside employment
out Of Othce hours, there is not one in 4 hundred
who would he able to procure II. as the CITY
Is eroHoed Win men Wh0 are constantly seeking
Knocks men by telling them that he knows they
cannot as body obtain. Men IN other empIOy
ments have many advantages not open TO Gov
eminent clerks in increasing their iDcUne or
cheapening their living. This old story that iF
clerks would keep away from the dram shops
they could save money and become rich and
happy and wise, with much else that is nauseOus
because not applicable to the subject. Govern
ment clerks DO not, as class, or any large num-
Der Of them, frequent dram shops, but 'tseek
home pleasures" and cultivate the minds Of
their children" in accordance with the safe ad-
vice Of ssH.
The fact is, any person who will take the trouble
to examine the matter carefully will hnd that
good, comfortable house cannot be obtained in a
respectable location for less than SIS per month,
unless in the suburbs, and then the car fare will
increase the expense to the amount named. A
family or four persons cannot furnish their table
with good. healthy food for less than S35 per
month, unless be proposes % live on "kale, krOut
and cabbage" and without the variety which the
system requires Rent and actualtableeXpenses
will then take 900 out Of the 800 per month. and
from the balance OF $40 is to be deducted fuel,
medicine, school books. charity and demands Of
religion. Amusements have not been provided
for as but lew OF the clerks getting al 200 indulge
in them unless Of a very inexpensive kind.
The men and women who do. and have n right
70, earn their bread ia Government service are as
intelligent as any class Of persons in the country
and ought not to be paid such 3 salary as would
require them 10 stamp ont all desire 20 crafty
tnelT inner feelings by indulgtng IN reasonable
amIsements and decorating their homes with
BoAs anG pictures. II is not all Of living to eat,
gLiL , anu sleep, Tor all work and no play makes
~ d uu5l boy Ipresume that III" is getting
49, OF soO1o by virtue Of some friend, I" or by
hANlns 5 - cred the useless questions pro-
lou1etu n = useless civil service board, and il
sleAeAs bIul 70 near any one complain Of il ade-
quate pay, o. nc s.taryes soul body aud mind for
that rainy uay- OF Il may BE- that he is content
20 stay at home and Improve Ms vItsis mind.,:
but he ought not TO become nauseafaJ IN Others
think their wives need fresh an ~ ,,,,,saSsnts
+lOIe 'H''n III PRIV sHSL4'' d.