National Republican., 1876-02-05
REDUCTION OF SALARIES IN THE EXEcU-
TIVE DEPARTHEETS.

Retrenchment and economy in public as
well as private affairs are always proper
and often indispensably necessary, but
there should always be proper and legiti-
mate objects upon which to manifest these
cardinal virtues. The reorganization Of
the Departments as at present went into
operation on the 1st of July, 1858, under
the "Hunter bill, as it was called. Prior
to that time there was no classification, and
the salaries ranged from nine hundred to
fifteen hundred dollars, with few higher
salaries to more responsible clerks and
chief clerks. There was. up to this time,
great and just complaint on account of the
insufliciency of the pay, and Congress was
constantly besieged and annoyed for in
creased compensation in the way of per-
centage, which was always given as abso-
lutely necessary. although the cost of living
then was scarcely one third what 1t is now,
all things considered. For instance,
house that would rent then for ten or
twelve dollars month would now bring
twenty-five or thirty dollars, and every
thing else in proportion. so that a salary Of
nine hundred or thousand dollars was
worth more than tho highest grade of sal
aries now under the present classification.
Nevertheless, it was found necessary and
Just to make the increase.
Congress gave the matter much attention
without result and at the second session Of
the Thirty second Congress tho whole sub
ject was submitted to the Senate Commit
tee on Finance, of which the Hon. II. NJ.
T. Hunter was chairman, who reported
the present plan. Congress desired and
Intended to accomplish two things by this
eorganization-one to give fair compen-
sation to the clerks, and to stop the clamor
for increased pay that came up every year
from the Departments.
The distinguished Senator from Virginia
was great economist and a close
financier. He never gave a dollar to any
object that was not absolutely necessary.
Every one who knew him can vouch for
the truth of this statement. Nevertheless,
Democratic Congress, with Mr.. Hunter
at its head. voted the present salaries under
the classification almost unanimously, and
to be paid in gold, when the cost of living
was not half what it is to-day.
And here is question on the equity side
Of this salary case between Congress and
the clerks in the Departments, which we
hope the able judges and lawyers as we'll as
the other just men will consider: Have the
clerks received their full pay for the last
twelve years, as stipulated under the reor-
ganization act of the Thirty-second Con-
gress? Have they received much more
than half pay some of the time? The pay
of every person in the service of the Coz
eminent at home and abroad, in civil and
military life, has been increased to CORE
spond with the depreciation of the currency
and the high prices of living, except that
OF the clerks in the Departments. Now, as
an act of partial justice, Congress ought to
vote from forty to fifty per cent. at least
five years to compensate the losses of the
last twelve years When we consider the
ability and intelligence, the scholarly at
tainments and learning of the clerks as a
body, we are astonished and grieved at the
immense sacrifices they make by accepting
places here. Allured by the fascinations
ofpublic office, they sacrifice life of hon
orable distinction in the world outside for
poor and capricious living in Washington.
Clerks have often resigned their positions
in the Departments and afterwards came
back as honorable and useful members of
both Houses of Congress. And ex-Sena-
tors and members of Congress have flled
acceptably positions in the Departments
also. In reference to the reduction of the
force twenty per cent. it cannot be done
without great injury TO the service. The
natural reduction by resignation and other
wise from the present force in the Depart
ments would be quite sufficient. There is
no economy in it, for the work must be
done, and sooner or later the Government
will have to pay for it. Apparent retreuch-
ment is no economy, The Government
has never been impoverished and never
will be by the stinted wages paid to the
clerks in the Executive departments.