The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-15
THE PAY OF ARMY EMPLOYEES.

WASHINGTON, August Is, 1877.
To EDITOR THE HERALD:--
We, here civilians employed by tho government in
the various bureaus of the War Department take
Gus exception TO the scathng denunciations of Mr..
Adanson which appear In your article OF the 9th inst
entitled 'The Pay OF the Navy" Because he is un-
willing risk his money, which it is fair to presume
he has not acquired without labor, ut less discount
than per cent for advances officers OF tho
navy, expecting outlay OF his money least three
months ian outlay covering risks than it seems
either you slots Of bankers and capitasts chcer.
iully'' come forward aud assume, including conse
qucncos 'if the officer chooses TO play
deccnfu game") you stigmatize him us n
'shark," call his ratio of discount 'usury," &c. as
though any legal rate OF interest discount
empatcd that money would be called into use at sk ks
incalcuabc In Of the recent reckless partisan
course Of the captous element of Congress- resulting
in criminal neglect to make appropriations for the
army. Instead Of being adam sou, ''shark" Gus
urcr or any such a creature, MI Adamson Is really
"a beneiactor, and we assure he Is gratefully
regarded by the nelIigently informed portion
OF The otherwise helpless persons whom he has already
assisted in their distress by bis advances those
whom lie proposes thus 10 aid. The writer himself
docs thus regard him. Notwithstanding the writer has
been able to get his July pay discounted at the lesser
rate OF six per cent
Upon aI civilian employees of the army the phiIan.
thropc action OF Messrs Drexel. Morgan Il Co.. of
yourciy, aiording relief TO officers has been bgnt
because Of the refusal OF that firm TO discount pay
Of such civilians, has the conspicuously an APP
pearance OF discrimination against such pay, winch
the popularity known sagacty and iberality OF that
nrm makes, seem to be well founded Thus We are
pou tedly turned TO the of Just the class
OF persons standing ready for chances specu-
laton whom you dcnounce as represented In Mr.
Adamson whose mercIes TO In present junc-
turo true ones, and without which would indeed
now be in p,tiable plight and subject TO tho greed OF
vcrtablc narpcs.
The of the Messrs Orexel Morgan 4 Ca for
refusing 10 make advances upon the pay civ in
army employ IL not made known to us, but doubtless
u has been TO them sufficient yet perhaps upon
this presentation OF they will advance TO US as
they already do 10 officers surely Congress frowns
upon The employment OF line officers or ENLISTED men
clerks, ana IN smilar capacities OF experts, Inc
many necessities therefor growing OF a,mins.
trative aud supply service army desires that
they shall DC engaged IA pursuits moro peculiarly Char
accrstic OF Lighting soldier, leaving ~ stan officers
and civilians the supervisory and expert inter
mcdiary between Congress and the tfoopa The en-
p.oyment OF civilians Is thus approved py Congress:
their pay and the therefor aud o their
employment are well defined; Their sense OF honor
and preservation vitality necessary them
just keen as that OF ofccrs, and persona adyanc
ine upon their certificates signed by tho officers
whom they employed, with powers OF attorney
similar mat used by Mcssrs. Droxe, Morgan & Co..
ia advances TO officers, and vouchers, unucrcd
duplicate bearing tho employees undated receipt
full OF the months pay 10 be used by tue officer
make Tho payment when appropriations become
avaIiabIc) have just as iinprcgnablo security ns do
those who advance on ouccr5' pay.
Meanwhile wc pray you DO not cast obioquy at Mr..
Asanson and others Ike him. whom We, IRON
more closely Interested standpont are thus far
pccd regard our best friends In present need,
lest you by mantIng their cheeks with the blush oil
give US no better succor than nero words, devoid OF
practi cal relief FASA.