The New York herald., 1876-03-20
SALARIES OF PUBLIC OFFICERS.
AN APOLOGY FOR BELKNAP-NADEQUAcY OF
THE PAY GIVEN MKMBERs OF THE GOVERN
MENr-soUND REASONS PUT FORTH

AN APOLOGY FOR BELKNAP-NADEQUAcY OF
THE PAY GIVEN MKMBERs OF THE GOVERN
MENT-soUND REASONS PUT FORTH.
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD
The terrible calamity which has fallen upon our
country, our government and our humanity through
the misconduct Of the late Secretary OF War suggests
certain reflections, which venture to lay before your
readers the almost vain hope that some OF them,
at least may see the the light which 1t ap
pears to me and may be influenced thereby.
To the great majority of people position in the ad-
visory council of the President the conro and admin
istraon Of one Of the great departments OF the gov
ernment together with the power and honor and emo
uments connected Herewith but little short OF
the acme Of human bliss, and apt to envy the
possessor Just as children seeing beautiful lady fash
by them in q splendid squipage, SO apt
to have the longing thought, "Uhl how l wish 1
wero in her placei' without realizing or perhaps
even knoWing that happiness fruit Of the soul and
not OF the body few facts In regard 10 these high
Offices may put the matter in new light TO many
minds The power connected Herewith is great, the
honor Is great he dignity, care and responsibility are
great but the emouments alasi small; and there
the misery lies The salary appertaning TO these
ofces is 81, 900 $40 600 per annum, with no other
honest emolumentS Custom, precedent, etiquette,
ruling society with bonds powerful and tangible as
Steel require that these 0fcers snau i've IN elegant
houses handsomely and 1ttIngly furnished; shall
keep carriages and borses and servants; shall open
their houses a week least 10 the visits Of any
one and every one who may choose TO CALL Their
wives and families must dress well and not wear their
handsomest dresses too many times They must
accept hospitality and civites from the representa-
tves OF foreign Powers other high dgnitares
OF the government and they must necessarily return
these obligations, and their wives and families put
their fine clothes drive in their carriages and
return these endless calls and favors And the very
fact Of these social and official demands depending upon
the occupancy OF one Of these Offices prevents In avery
great degree, the gentleman lady OF the family from
taking or being able 70 the ordinary care and
supervision over their living expenses and at the end
OF the year how far docs any suppose the Sg 600
or $40, 900 has gorc2 Private funds must have been
encroached upon if the individual s so fortunate az
TO have had any. else the difference must have boon
balanced by some other means. IL Is useless TO say
that this is false position, and an hon.
est but poor man VIII not occupy H.
because the Offices must be filled, and II one man
leaves IL another takes his place. and the thing goes
on whoever Is there and only the rich out or IL
absolutely unsullied. Place famished man in the
midst OF fragrant odorous food and he hardly To be
planned II he helps himself II he ia doing you great
service by caring for and guarding your interests n
his stomach put money in his pocket for the morrow
and he your trusty slave THIS Is ahomely but prac
tcal view OF the Keep man honest by treating
him with nberality and justice, and when you place
him In q positan Of great mower. resnnnshilltv aud