National Republican., 1883-02-06
A GRAND INTIMIDAToR WANTED.
II lLn LLEllnr

To The Editor.
SIR 1t is scarcely possible that any num-
bcr of legislative solons would seriously favor
Congressman Cannon's clause for the extern
sion of time for the government clerks from
$50 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. Yet stranger things
than this have happened within the shadow
cast by the goddess of liberty on the dome of
our capitol, and it may be possible that u
word spoken in season may save great deal
of discomfort to very worthy class of indi-
viduals, for il never has been proven that all
government clerks are n set of helpless in
competents, whose chief designs are to draw
the largest amount of money from the United
States treasury for the least possible return.
1t is within the memory Of men now living
when American youth went to n log school
house and sat on split rail from early morn
till dewy eve--that is, they made whole day
of it, The schoolmaster was hired chiefly for
his muscle and his ability TO strike terror into
the hearts of his small disciples, and II was
stipulated that he should be at his school,
house at daylight in the morning and remain
till dark in tho evening. Since that time the
wheels of the car of progress have made rev.
olution forward, and now learned and scien-
tinc men are heard to say that four to six
hours of fmental labor exhaust the body quite
us much rs twelve to fourteen hoursO Of manual
labor.
Now, IL is q fact that the greater portion Of
government clerks are engaged in arduous
mental labor. 1t will be no economy to the
government to work the employees to exhaus-
ton unless they ut the same time make pro-
vision that men shall be ischarged--stricken
from the payroll as fast as they fail to come
up to the requirements; for If men should fail
to work one day in the week or one week per
month or one month per year, where would
be the gains? 1t is q wcll-known fact that IL
an individual does not rocuperate from day to
day--does not regain what he has lost through
sleep, rest and fresh air-his powers gradually
fail and his health suffers.
In order that the clause should be carried
out in its true spirit there should be intro
duced an officer who should be styled the
grand intimidator whose business it should
be to pounce upon and summarily eject any
unfortunate clerk who in the least relaxed
his labors during Office hours.
The true spirit of reform and economy in
some mems mind is to secure the greatest
amount of work for the least money. If such
is the desire and intention of congress, l
would respectfully suggest that they let the
work out by contract to the lowest bidders.
This would place the work on the market in
such way as to get the greatest amount Of
work for the least money.
scarcely believe that the people will be
satisfied with these sham attempts ut reform.
Nor can the present congress expect to de-
ceive the people and turn their attention away
from themselves by such trihing issues. Here
is q body Of men who have been in session
near three months, and will draw pay for a
whole year, and what have they done? Here
are from 400 to 800 men, with salaries of
5000 and acccssions of from 81 900 to $4,000
more yearly, with all the expensive machin-
cry connected with the capitol for their COM
fort aJd accommodation-and how have
they acquitted themselves? They have
passed the civil service reform law,
which is but the foggy emanations
of visionary minds, whose impracticable
ideas have been forced into recognition in its
present crude state, and known rs the "civil
service reform law" And why do | say this
Because the struggle through political iniu-
ence, intrigue, and wireworlSing, has already
commenced for appointment as commissioners
to carry out the civil service reform.
This question, as to who shall be commits
soner, is not determined by fitness or superior
excellence, or confessed honesty aud impair
tality, but by political complexion and intu-
cnce. And is it possible to suppose that in
tluence and politics may not in turn influence
the commissioners. Gentlemen, you would
do well to look to yourselves and give the
clerks rest ONE WHO WAS A CLERK.