The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-03-20

Warrington Star,
The recent attempt by the house OF
representatives-defeate in the senate
to lengthen the working hours and
cut down the vacations OF employees in
the departments was inspired by a sent
iment that ia widespread in tho west,
All over that part Of the country the
farmers, while deriding the army and
navy, most especially do obiurate the
government clerks at Washington,
They imagine that these servants OF
Uncle Sam are go many luxurious idlers
%iattening at the public trough. II was
they who struck this blow at themIln
Congress. Very likely the attempt will
be repeated. One thing the office hold
ers might do is to form a union for de-
fensiye purposes. There III $4,000 OF
them here, and their combined inhu.
ence would suffice to defeat any bill
which might affect their interests in
iuriously.
ONLY ONE FROM A FAMILY.
Any secretary can from a simple or.
der increase the working hours OF the
clerks in his department to any extent
which he thinks desirable. He is an
autocrat, even controlling mutrimony
among his subordinates. No two en-
ployes OF the treasury can become hus'
band and wife, both retaining their
places. AS u penalty for mating the
woman resign or be discharged, be-
cause it is held that n family ought
not to draw two incomes from the gov
eminent. John Sherman first made
this rule. One day he summoned a
pretty clerk and said to her:
"You are employed In the treasury,
while your brother is in the war de-
partment. It Is not right that two
members Of a family should draw pay
from Uncle Sam. Which OF you will
resign2"
The girl looked grave for a moment,
Then glancing up with q sparkling eye,
she replied:
"Mr. Secretary, you arc employed in
the treasury. while your brother is in
the War Department as general OF the
army. Which Of you is going to re-
sign?"
Mr.. Sherman did not answer the
question, but he seemed greatly amused.
The pretty clerk is still in the employ
Of the treasury her brother was not in
tertered with,
MARRIAGE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT CLERKS.
Propinquity is said to BIO natures
chief matrimonial agent. Nevertheless
on account Of the regulation quoted,
marriages between government clerks
rarely occur. III many instances they
have been kept secret, sometimes for
years. To be found out means immedi-
ate discharge for the woman, who has
committed the offense OF signing au-
other than her lawful name to the
pay vouchers. However, the Secretary
Ia not restrained by the civil service
law from Diminishing without cause any
employe. The rule mentioned is not
applied in all tho departments. Secre-
tary Tracy did not approve OF 1t and
several weddings took place under his
regime.
OF the good old times in the depart
ments not q few odd stories are told.
An ancedote is related at the navy de-
partment of q bureau now extinct.
which was conducted by a gallant naval
officer. One day, about 9 p. M, the lat
ter stepped into tho room Of his assis-
tant and said:
"Billy, here's a DRIFT Of very impor-
tant letter that 1 am extremely anxious
to dispatch by the afternoon mail.
Please make me n clean copy OF it as
quickly as you can"
1t being so late in the afternoon,
"Billy" was resting. lie looked up
sleepily and replied,
"Why, commodore, ! have already
written two letters to-day"
"Well, then, Billy" said the Commo-
dore, never mind. Tomorrow will do
as we'll"
IN II FOREIGN OFFICE"
Clerkships in the department Of state
are considered tho most desirable. To
begin with the incumbents are never
discharged without being provided with
q consnlshlp or some other, place. The
employment carries n certain amount
OF social position with 1t. Tho most
conspicuous OF the young swells in
Washington are employees OF the 'for-
eign Office" as they like to call 1t.
Beaux being greatly in demand here,
they have more invitations than they
can accept. With small salaries and no
prospects, they would DO regarded as
''detrimentals" in other cities, but here
they are at the top Of the swim. Good
manners and the fact OF wearing panta.
looms constitute satisfactory claims to
recognition in local society.
The work OF o clerk in the depart
mont OF state, however, implies no little
responsibility. A wrong word In his
transcript Of a diplomatic paper might
place this government in q false posi-.
ton. The business he transacts mostly
OF q secret nature. He may know long
In advance whom the President has
chosen for a cabinet Office or what war.
ahips arc about to be sent to threaten
the cities OF q foreign nation. II he
tells anybody and his information gets
out his indiscretlon may have upset a
policy and dl%sarranged a complete
series OF moves which Uncle Sam Is try.
ing to carry out. Happily botrayals Of
secrets by government clerks have been
worry rare.
THE PROPORTION OF WOMEN.
Though one.halt Of tho applicants ior
places in tho departments arc women,
only one person OF the gentlOr sox Is Rp,
pointed for every seven mon, There
is aprojudico against female clerks on
several accounts. Nevertheless, some
officials have discovered that thoy car
often get u woman for $500 a year who
Is more capable than u 81 200 man, DO,
fore the war the employment Of women