The Evening critic., 1881-12-21
A Much Needed Reform.

To ne Editor Of the Erening Critic;
SIR: II 10 safe to assume that II was not the
intention Of this Government, when II decided
TO become its own printer and binder, to op.
press or wrong those who were called to Its
aid In performing that service, and IL 10 equally
safe TO assume that through the agency and
administration OF the present Public Printer II
has been betrayed into that attitude toward
tho operatives engaged In prosecuting that
work. The law provides for the appointment
ton of that statute that the ofIicor appointed
TO that position should become an uDfoeling
tyrant and oppressor OF those who accept posi-
tion under him. II is the true policy OF this
Government to protect and defend the rights OF
the humblest OF the people over whom II OK
tends Its influence and power.
IL IL contended, and the PROOF seems to be
positive and strong in support OF that PROPOSE
ton, that those who perform the labor Incl
dent upon tho printing and binding for the
Government are exposed TO policy which
common right and Justice. Those who serve
the Government In that department Of In.
dustry are prompted by circumstances OF
adversely to enter the service. Many OF that
class have been reared In luxury, but under
the frowns OF fortune have been forced 10 seek
livelihood by honest toll within the walks OF
OF the greatest printing and binding
establishment I'm the world. In assuming that
relation, no man or woman employed there
surrenders their right to Just, fair, and even
generous treatment at tho hands of those who
power. That much should be vouchsafed TO
them by the Government, II not by the official
agents In charge; and that much they expect,
and when they fail TO realize such expectation
they have Just cause OF complaint.
During the present administration OF the
Public Printer, which hos run for Ave and n half
years, there has been constant feeling OF dis
satisfaction among large class OF the persons
employed there. The prevailing policy OF the
management has not consisted with fair play.
IL has been marked by u series OF furloughs
and loss OF time to those employed, which
never would have occurred under Wise and
1udfci0us economy In the expenditure OF the
public moneys and n proper regard for the
welfare Of the employees. II there has been
onice 1t has never manifested Itself toward
the printers, bookbinders and the poor men
and women who are employed to serve the
government. While the Public Printer and his
official force have enjoyed soft places and have
worked or played as they have pleased with
out forfeiture OF time or salary, the workers
there have received no more compensation In
tho way OF kindness and generosity than
would have fallen to their lot had they been
bondsmen instead OF American citizens. The
| ruling policy OF the office toward the mo-
chanics, women and laborers employed has
been pointed more with tyranny and oppres.
sion than with philanthropy, or even common
| fairness. This is the testimony OF large ma
1ority OF tho employees, and such condition OF
| things calls for reform, and this call has been
keenly pointed by the recent attempt OF the
Public Printer TO override the law and the dc
cisions OF the First Comptroller Of the Treas
| ury Department and by tyrannical rule "a
withhold from his employees their legal and
Just dues This last act OF that ocer is OF Itself
ample to create tho opinion that he Is unfit fol-
the position he now occupies, and should lead
TO his prompt removal. The President can
perform no act that will call upon him such
benedictions OF the laboring classes there and
elsewhere as that Of appointing capable
honest and humane man to I'LL the position OF
Public Printer, and the sooner that act is per
formed the sooner shower OF benedictions
will fall upon his Official head. 1t Is to be
hoped that soon after 1882 begins Its role, the
employees OF the Government Printing ofllct
will be made happy by the presence OF a new
Public Printer. TYPO.