Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-13
MISS BROWN ON THE CLERKS.
How Some of Them Work Hard Under
Great Disadvantages.

IL some of our so-caled statesmen we're sud-
denly afflicted with the power desired by Robert
Burns and saw themselves as others see them,
they would, L am sure, hasten 20 invest in
magnifying glasses Of extraordinary power ane
use them whenever they were obliged to catch
glimpse of themselves.
There are so many questions OF vital and far
reaching interest before the legislative world at
present waiting, nay, demanding. to be answered
that one might reasonably suppose every one
belonging to it would find not only his duty.
but also his pleasure. in con tributing his share
toward accomplishing the task and making the
record OF this session one of which every
American could be proud. of course. 10 do
this " ould require. besides natural talent. any
amount of hard work. in the way of research
and study. and this the statesmen OF the
class referred TO are most unwilling 70 give;
consequently there Is only one way left
IN which to make themselves conspicuous -
TO bully that most hapless of beings.
the government clerk, who has only merit
instead of influence to sustain him. Take for
instance, the measure cutting down the annual
leave from thirty TO fifteen daSs. II it becomes
law who Is going to suffer by IT? Not the
shirk, by any means but the faithful. conscien-
tious clerk. The measure amply provides for
the former. since all his OF her Mr. Backer has
TO do is TO let the Mr.. Secretary in question
understand that the is ''meritorious" and
presto. the pay for any length of absence is Sc
cured There should be a Just rule laid down
TO govern all departments alike. and which
should leave no scope for the juggling which
allows one clerk TO spend month or two of ad-
ditlonal sick leave at seaside or mountain re-
sort while the other has his or her paw deducted
for a days absence in excess of the original
thirty.
Then, as to the increase of Office hours. Sup
pose you accompany me in imagination and get
,,,z,. . ,,.@. IL. L
enjoy day after day. Wen go down the steps
and enter the basement through the door oppo-
site the Riggs House, on 18th street. Here to
the right is the redemption division of the
United States treasurer's Office. the place to
which all the various promises TO pay of our re-
spected Uncle Samuel come from all points of
the compass for identification and redemption.
Enter and feel the walls; they are clammy and
hold out unlimited promises of rheumatism.
Look at the windows: they are much smaller
than those above, vet here the work is done
which demands the best light obtainable in or
der to shield the clerks from actual loss through
passing OF spurious money and to lessen the
continued strain upon the eyes for SO
many hours "A strain which must be
experienced TO be appreciated. Oh, L
see you notice that the air is not
exactly like that waited from a honeysuckle
hedge. Well, this package of money was taken
from dead man. who, buried a pauper. was
resIrrected after his brother in Germany had
declared that some thousands we're hidden in
belt around the dead mans body. This lot was
taken from the body of the clerk of an exploded
LAKE steamer after natures chemistry had
brought II TO the surface. This. winch bears
the faint scent of camphor. came from a yellow
fever hospital. and that roll taken from the
interior department of a confding COW which
mistook greenbacks for green grass Add TO
this the cases of consumption, catarrh and
other diseases which found everywhere
Dr. ly...-
sardines in a box. and you have fair idea of
the atmosphere we breathe and which can only
temporarily be changed by the primitive mode
OF opening the windows, which process in turn,
produces Its legitimate results In the shape of
severe colds.
The rule Of the treasurer's Office, since the
days of Gen Spinner, has been TO keep up the
work Cay after day, and time and again have
we, the veterans. worked from one to three hours
a day extra in order TO keep the record unbro-
ken. Had the gentlemen who distinguished
themselves by their yalorous onslaught on the
department clerks seen fit TO gather facts upon
which to base their statements they would have
found that for months We have worked eight
hours daily. worked till every nerve in our
bodies qulvered and We were too exhausted to
eat even when We reached our homes at night.
Naturally such excess has its effects on BODY
and brain; some fall sick, others commit enor-
mites like the following:
,,.., With FINGERS dirty and brown.
With eyelids heavy and red.
woman sat in her shabby gown
Counting torn bills for bread
Count count, count,
Old greenbacks. dr-ary work:
And while her fingers were dying fast
She thought out the song Of the clerk
Count count, count,
Commencing at stroke Of nine;
And count count, count
Seven weary hours at a time.
It's oh. to the every day
Like slave to the barb'rous Turk,
With little leisure for study play
And seven LONG hours for work.
Drea Of wealth untold
In my very sleep count
One. two. three four and five
Continuing the weary round
Till the morning with soft gray eyes
Looks into my room and calls
To the routine of ''one. two and three,
Within the Treasury walls.
And men with nothing to do
But hatch out political schemes
Are straining their crafty brains
To add TO my troubled dreams
The specter u shortened leave
And added hour. of work
For earth's unfortunate daughters
Who sing the song Of the clerk
MISS BROWN