The Republican journal., 1877-04-26
Washington Matters.
DISMISSAL OF CLERKS.

NAsHINGroN, ID. c., April 49, The
responsibility for the retention in the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing of the
Treasury Department of several hundred
employees whose services We're not needed
falls directly upon the late officers Of the
Treasury and very largely upon Assistant
Secretary Conant This Bureau was used
hN members of Congress and bv officers
ul the department as a sort Of aims house
and men and women were placed upon
The rolls for no other reason than that
they could not he provided for elsewhere
The large reduction now making will
blng the working force down to the
actual needs of the work, and it is the
intention OF Secretary Sherman to keep
II So The force employed in this bureau
has been for Years in excess of the actual
requirements of the work and all the
abuses are of long standing. The dismiss
sails yesterday We're not ut the homes of
employees, but i'll the department, at the
c!ose of the days work. The scenes, as
on all such occasions, We're very pathetic
rs the roll was called and each untortll-
nate signed his or her name with tremb-
Ing. The sights presented We're varied,
however The impending danger had
stteled the hearts of some to meet what
ever fate awaited them, but others broke
down completely Some received their
ulsnlSsdlS with Il sort OF stony despair,
while others, with loud cries and sobs,
beWaileG their fate. Some few put on a
defiant manner and vowed to have re-
Nengc for the injustice done them. One
woman cried detiantly: "You don't know
VII" am; ! am President HAYES cousin,
and ! viii make You suffer for this unjust
act" y poor widow who had lost hus-
oand, father and brother in the late war.
signed her name bravely, but as she pass
"d down the room her pcnt-up grief
became uncomfortable, and with tears
streaming down her face she wrung her
hands and cried: This then is my re-
ward for all ! have sacrificed" Strong
men, too, gave way to their feelings as
they thought of the dear ones at home,
whom they would now be unable to assist.
One lady took the pen to sign her name,
hut nearly tainted, and had to get few
minutes rest and composlre before she
could accomplish the act But it was
not those who met their fate with hyster-
zeal sobs that suffered most. Many poor
woman whose scanty earnings was the
only barrier from starvation for herfami]y.
passed out without saying a word, but
her heart was almost broken. OF course
those who escaped were overloved, but
the list of May threatens them like
Damocles' sword. Many OF those who
were discharged yesterday returned to-
day with lmpOrtunate entreaties for rein
statement, and the Secretarv's office was
besieged by them.
ROBESON'S "IRREGULARITIES"
1t viii be a great pity to have Secretary
Thompson to 90 out of the Navy Depart
ment just now if he has nerve to do what
his friends say he will. The Star says :
Notwithstanding the explanation made
by Secretary Robson with reference to
the sale OF the Philadelphia Navy Yard |
as well as the sale of one or two ships of
war, the friends of Secretary Thompson
say that the latter is not at all satisfied |
1t is estimated that Secretary Thompson
will invite the attention of the Cabinet at
an early day to what he deems the mani
fold shortcomings Of eX-Secretary Robe |
son. Another gentleman well acquainted
with Thompson is authority for the state
ment that Thompson has said he will in
diet Robson.