National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-07-29
SALARIES OF CLERKS.

to the general average of laZiness his position
is rendered very unpleasant to his fellow-labor-
ers. Not long ago friend of mine went to one
of the Departments to have some business of
importance attended to. He was directed to
room in which a large number OF clerks were
supposed to be at work. AS he opened the
door q strange scene presented itself. About
forty clerks, grotesquely arrayed in paper hats,
and coats turned inside out, armed with
brooms, pokers and other weapons of like char
acter, were marching gaily around the room
to the tune of the "Mulligan Guards" Noone
had time to attend to the business upon which
the gentleman called, and he was requested to
call again, some time when they weren't so
busy Thus do these poor overworked clerks
sink under their cares and troubles. 1t is safe
to say that the clerical work of all the Depart
ments' could, under proper management, be
done with one half the force now employed.
The whole system of our Government, under
Republican rule, is one gigantic swindle, and
the taxpayer is robbed that favorites of great
men may fatten at the public crib.
The article on Government clerks, taken
from one of the Democratic papers in
Wayne county, N. Y, which is briefly
noticed, not for the benefit of the Confed-
crate admirer and sorehead who wrote it,
but that such SANDERS may meet with q
prompt rebuke. All the clap-trap in the
House of Representatives about the over
paid clerks is for political capital, and its
greatest champion is that greatest of hum
bugs, Sam Randall, who, when the bill
was before the House three years ago for
an increase of Congressional salary from
5000 to $500 year, said when l
event into this conference bill found this
oversbadowing question of salaries.
"Upon that question l have uttered no IN
certain sound, and made no doubtful
"record 1 believe l have earned $500
"since have been here, and that could
"not live here with my family with less
with any any sort of decency." This is
the language of the great reformer three
years ago, when he was after an increase
of salary of So, 500, and who is now making
such an ado. and exhibiting such specta-
Gle of cheap craftsmanship. During the
debate recently on the appropriation bill
Mr.. Townsend, of Pa. said : II have been
there for several years, have had daily in
"tercourse with the clerks in the Depart
"ments, and on every occasion, whenever
81 asked for information or required q
"duty to be done, have found them civil,
"obliging and well informed. They are
poorly paid; some of them have been
"here for years and grown gray in the
"service. Their salaries were fixed (sud
"under Democratic rule) when the cost Of
"living was much cheaper than now.
"They have raised families around them,
"and their expenses have grown without
"a corresponding increase in their sala
"ries." This was the argument of Sam
Randall when he wanted an increase of
pay, and that Randall may be seen in his
proper light, we quote from the debate on
the legislative bill On the nth of March,
1876.
"Mr White. VIII the gentleman allow me
to ask him question!
''Mr. Randall. Yes, sir.
"Mr. White. There are two questions would
like to ask: First, did l understand the gentle
man to say that he realized the fact that the
country condemned his vote on the increase
pay, or back salary grabp
''Mr. Randall. Well, now it is none Of your
business what the country realized or what
realized. l have made my statement in that
connection.
''Mr White. want to ask the gentleman
another question: Does he not think the coun-
try would have more belief in his sincerity in
regard to this matter if that money were now
refunded
s.Mr. Randall. That is none of your bust
ness, SIR
This is fine argument and reply on the
part of Mr.. Randall, and may serve to in
dictate the author and inspirer of the article
above quoted. On the same day Mr.. Hale,
of Maine, said:
"The rule is that man in the Departments
has TO go through long trial, long race for
promotion, before he obtains salary of 81 800.
That position represents years of faithful SER
vice, years of toll, the giving up of the best
years of life. 1t represents separation from
what has been his home and home connections.
1t represents the settling in Washington as a
home, with all the incidents and expenses and
calls and claims that rest upon any other resi-
dent of this city,"
April 6, even the Democratic Tarbox
said, in relation to the office of the Second
Auditor: From information and familiar
lily with the business of that Office, am
convinced that the reduction contem-
plated in this bill will do violence to its
efficiency in the transaction of its bust
"ness. l submit that this Office should not
abe crippled in its ability to discharge the
"duties that are imposed upon it,
Mr.. Sayler, from Ohio, Democrat, and
present Speaker of the House, said, in
speaking of the clerks in the Land Office:
" 1t is absurd to suppose that competent
"men can be employed at 81 200 or 81, 400
ga year, sum less than is received by
" almost the commonest clerk in dry
goods store. am in favor of economy,
"but 1t seems to me a false species of
" economy to give niggardly salaries Of
I" this kind to gentlemen who occupy i'm
"portant positions"
Mr.. Williams, of Wis, put the case hap
PLY, when he said "But the Democrats
" say the times are hard, the people are in
distress, members can afford to put in
$500 each, and these poor clerks 800
each, and thus save the country. Will
"you seek to restore prosperity to this
" country by taking contributions from
" few poor clerks, while public charity re-
lieves their pinching wants? Is political
" favor to be purchased in this wise!
" However, the Democrats have had their
trials sure and severe. They are not
"unlike the two terror-stricken boys in the
boat, when the storm overcast the sky,
land crash Of lightning seemed to split
"the very dome of the heavens. One
said to the other, But, can you prayt'
"'No, Jim, can your No. Well, by
mighty, Jim, its time to do something
" religious; suppose we take up a collec-
ton"
So with our Democratic friends, they are
out in thick weather. For fifteen years
they lave clamored for power, and for fif-
teen years their craftsmanship has been
broken on the wheel of every vital issue
which came before the country. Finally
they come here with grand flourish for
''civil service REFORM" and on the second
day of the session dismissed the faithful
public sc. wants and wounded soldiers, and
sent them troopiDg down the hill for par