Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-30
MAILS on THE TRAINS.
HOW RAILW &Y POSTAL CLERKS
EARN THEIR SALARIES.


Working Six HOnths on Probation Be
fore Being Sure of u Piaoe-An Insti-
tuition Where civil service is in Its
Purity Some Things That the Rail
way Clerk Has to Keep Constantly in
His Mind.
''You fellows have a soft job" was the
remark addressed to railway mail clerk
on the Jacksonville run yesterday.
That's just where you're Mistaken"
was the quick reply. Anybody who
thinks we have soft job had better try
it awhile, and will very soon get over that
idea"
1t happened to be the mail clerks week
Of, when he ia privileged to loaf you
see, we run alternate trips" he went on,
land this trip Pm off. "a half hours talk
showed clearly that the railway mail clerk
has anything but an easy time of 1t when
he is on duty. When he is off duty he
can loaf with as much grace as
the next man, but he earns the loaf. On
duty his duties are Of the most lrHsome
and tedious nature. After receiving an
appointment In the service be IS put ON
SIX months probation at a pay OF $oOO
year. Then his troubles begin.
Influence may have secured the posi-
ton tor him, but it can not keep him in
1T. Civil service in the pure state is in
force in the railroad mail service, tor 1t
takes clerk so long TO become familiar
with his duties that they are not removed
except for cause. But Republican or
Democrat, old stager or green hand, there
is one thing that can not be escaped, the
examination.
AT the end of the first month Of prOba-
ton the novice ls examined as to the
practical workings Of the office, aud such
postal laws and regulations as he is sup
posed TO nave acquainted himself with.
If his answers are satisfactory ne Is given
more intricate scheme" to learn, and
the next month is put through another
course or sprouts, and again at the end of
each successive month OF the six, When,
if he satisfactorily passes the last one, he
is gwen $500 or Loco clerkship, as mis-
proficiency may justify, or II vacancy
may occur.
some idea of their severity may be
learned when it is stated by those In posi-
ton to know that not much over 30 per
cent. OF the prODatlOners pass. But the
examinations do not enu with the proba-
tlons. for new post Offices are certainly
being located all over the country and
new routes mapped out; and when
1t is borne in mind that some
have over 4,000 post Offices, and that
the names of all these offices must be kept
in mind Wnen the packages or letters arc
thrown; that the work is done with a
rush, frequently at night, in dusty car,
rolling and pitching, with two or three
lamps in summer time to intensity the
neat, and with cold draughts rushing In
in winter, the sOttuess OF the job can be
reckOned at %.
a 1 a 10 ko,
sixteen hours day on an average, and it
is not strange that he breaks down and
requires an absolute rest. But sometimes
it happens that when he reaches hi relief
station, where he IS supposed to rest be-
fore the return trip, the ERIK who should
take his place tails for one cause or an
other to materiallze, aud SO he has to hold
on and labor hours and hours OF over time.
In some of the large Eastern cities IN
the post office building there are dorml-
tories where the tired clerks, who haupen
TO reside q great way from the office. can,
if they wish, Imm~ dlately retire to rest
after coming in OF their run: or if thew
leave on an early train they can be called
by the night Waterman
A railway postal clerk is required to
know thoroughly the railway and stage
routes, tie times of trains at functions
through the States for which he makes
close connection. Every clerk is
furnished monthly with sched-
ule of mail trains, and he must
not only make close study OF it
and be familiar with the time in
his own division, but also with the times
OF trains in other divisions with which
aud by which be forwards mail. He must
do all this and still hustle round, keep
prepared for the periodical examinations
which be undergoes, find time to dodge
his creditors, get acquainted with his
family il he is married man, and, il he
is single one, TO patch up a truce with
the dog where his best girl lives.