Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-04-25
(From our regular correspondent.)
Our Washington Letter,

WASHINGTON. April 90.
The dismissals from the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing in the Treasury De-
partment. on yesterday, are the subject oil
conversation in the city at present. AL
most every one has friend who has been
affected by them. Assistant Secretary
Mccormick has been overwhelmed with
complaints and petitions. Many sad cases
have been presented and favorable consid
GRAFTON urged with tears. Among those
discharged was woman who lost two
husbands and three sons in the union ar
my. The first husband was shot dead at
the first battle at Bull Run, the second Tell
under Sheridan in 1864. Of the sons, two
were killed at Gettysburg and third died
of disease contracted in the army. One
woman who WAS dismissed returned with
u letter from President Hayes saying that
he knew the applicant and was personally
cognizant that her DISMISSAL was great
atfliction, but that he would not suggest
any deviation from rules adopted for the
good of the public service, only hoping
that the applicant might be considered in
future if consistent with government in
terests. Another applicant came to Mr..
Mccormick, saying, there is Il letter sign
ed by two names that think ought to be
potent in having me reinstated." The let
ter was endorsed by the Secretary of the
Treasury and by Senator Thurman of
Ohio, the fathcr-in-law of Mr.. Mccormick
The Assistant Secretary said he did not
see how it was possible for him to rein
state her. Secretary Sherman says the
removal of So many employees who were
helpless, poor and dependent for their very
bread upon their monthly salary, has been
the most painful duty he was ever COM
PEELED to perform. Secretary Morrill,. his
predecessor, had told him that it was in
dispensable that the force should be reduc-
ed, and when he became secretary he APP
pointed three Of the most trusted officers
of the Department 10 make n careful eX-
animation and select those who were eth
er not needed or were least effective in the
service. This they did, and he held the
list for days and handed it to the Assistant
Secretary by whom it was carefully in
specled and held until delay was no longer
excusabe. The removals having been
made with the greatest care, Secretary
the list, although some of them were APP
pointed on his own recommendation and
many of them were clses of extreme
hardship.
The force will have 20 be still further
reduced, and the first of May has been
fixed for the dismissal of in additional
three hundred. Two years ago the EN-
ployes in this bureau numbered 1900
After the dismssals contemplated have
been carried into effect, the force will not
be larger than three or four hundred
Other bureaus in the different depart
ments are overlooking with employees,
who, since they are out of employment it
would be better to call payees. None are
so plethoric as the bureau of engraving
and printing was, but they will all require
depletion before the service can be re-
duced to legitimate working condition.
When the discharge of supernumerarieS,
as contemplated by the administration,
shall have been accomplished, there will
be not only great reduction of expense
in the matter of salaries, but the numer-
Gus private buildings, rented as govern
ment offices, will be no longer needed;
hence there will be great saving in the
matter of rent.
While the country rejoices in every
measure looking to economy and lessening
the burden of taxation, Washington.
through its local sentiment and press, eX-
presses futile protest. Since the pros
pelily of the city, in all private enterpris-
es, is dependent on the money discussed
to the large number of government en-
ployes resident here, the merchants, real
estate owners, hotel and boarding house
keepers are of course not pleased with IL
policy that must reduce the population Of
Washington, and the amount of money in
circulation. Individuals, and especially
the helpless women, must be pilied, but
their loss will be the nations gain. Gov
eminent offices will not be in the future
asylums for Indulgence, no matter how
meritorlous, nor the booty Of successful
politicians to reward his political helpers.