The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-04-25
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

/ chorge0-OoOer Hussntss0tS 70 ~,
' low Effect the Reduction Of tne
Forces Of the DePssi ssneots VII
Nave 0n tins Business Of W"shtnE
ton City.
tspccisl Correspondents of ibe BrLLIIis'l
WASHINGTON. April 30, 1877.
IuE pIsNis.ALs
from the bureau of engraving and print
ing in the treasury department, on yes
terday, are The subject OF conversation IN
the city at present. Almost 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 aud favorable considera.
ton urged with tears. Among those
discharged was a women who
LOST Two HUSBANDS
and three sons in the union army. The
first husband was shot dead at the iirsi
battle at Bull Run, the second fell under
sheridan in 1864. OF the sons, two were
killed at Gettysburg, and the third died
OF disease contracted in the army. One
| women eNho was dismissed
| returned with letter from
President Hayes saying that he
knew the applicant aud was personally
cogniZant that her dismissal was great
affection, 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: .Hcre
is letter signed by two names that l
think ought to be potent in having me
reinstated. The letter was endorsed by
the secretary OF the treasury and by Sen
ator Thurman. of Ohio, the iather-in-law
OF Mr.. Mccormick. The assistant secre-
tary said he did not see how it was posi-
BILE for him to reinstate 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 compelled to perform. Sec
rotary Morrill,, his predecessor, had told
him that 1t was indispensable that the
force should be reduced, and when lie
became secretary he appointed three OF
the most trusted officers OF the depart
nlent to make a careful examination, and
select those who were either
NOT NEEDED OR WERE LEAST EFFECTIVE
in the service. This they did, and lie
held the list for days, and handed it to
| the assistant secretary by
whom it was carefully inspected
and held until delay was no longer cx.
cusable. The removals having been
made with thc.greatest care, Secretary
Sherman has refused to restore any one
on the list, although some of them wer
appointed on his own recommendation
and many Of them were cases of eXtrem
hardship. The force will have to b
still further reduced, and the lst of NJ La
has Been nxen Ior the dismissal or an 40
ditioAal three hundred. Two years ag
the employees in this bureau numbered
ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED.
After the dismissals contemplated hay
been carried into effect, the force will no
be larger than three or four hundred.
| Other bureaus in the different depar,
ments are Overlooking with employc
who, since they are without employ
ment, 1t would be more proper TO call
payes. None ARE SO plethora as tn
bureau OF engraving and printing wa
but they will all require depletion beior
the service can be reduced to
LEGITIMATE WORKING CONDITION.
When the discharge OF opportunities
as contemplated ty the administration
shall have been accomplished, there wi /
be not only a great reduction OF expense
In the matter of salaries, but the pumer-
Gus private buildings. rented as govern
ment officers, will be no longer needed
hence there will be q great sayin,
in the matter OF rents.
| While the country reioices.
in every measure looking to
ECONOMY
And lessening the burden OF taxation
washington, through Its local sentiment
ana press, expresses futile protest
Since the prosperity Of the city, in all
private enterprises, is dependent on the
money disbursed TO the large number OF
government employees resident here. the
merchants, real estate owners, hotel and
boarding house keepers are of course
not pleased with a policy that must
REDUCE THE POPULATION
Or Washington, and the amount of
money in circulation. individuals, and
especially the helpless women must be
pitied, but their loss will be the ma tions'
gam. Government offices will not be in
the future asylums for Indulgence, no mat
ter how meritorious, nor the booty OF sue
cessful politicians to reward their politi-
cal helpers. 4