The Washington times., 1894-04-18
BURROUGHS COMING SWIFT
Discomfort Among the EMPLOYEES Of the
Government Printing Office.
THREATS OF DENUNCIATION
Gen. Palmer's Attitude Causing Great Hard
ships Among His Many Employes-Com-
PEELED to subsist on $3.50 Per Week.
Benedict.s Confirmation Probability.

II the ears Of the Senatorial committee hav-
ing the nomination of Thomas E. Benedict for
Public Printer, do not jingle with consider
able animation, it is not because the en-
ployes of tho Government Printing Office do
not express themselves in language sounding
better in private than in public print. For the
last six or eight months affairs at this institu-
tion have been in state Of chaos and uncer-
tainty
Theindustrial depression prevailing through
out the country having brought u large num-
Der OF applicants for employment, the present
incumbent has had great difficulty in avoiding
the pressure for appointments by members OF
Congress. As a result large number of ap-
pointments have been made and owing to the
disposition Of General Palmer not to make
any discharges among Republicans, the Office
has been crowded with people of all political
faiths. There being double the number OF
employees necessary for the proper conduct
Of the Office. work has diminished very rapidly
and has now reached the point where little or
nothing remains to be done anG wholesale
furioughs are resorted to.
This, OF course, entails many hardships
upon the employees, who are compelled TO
subsist on half pay, and creates much dis
satisfaction among Republicans and Demo-
Gratis alike, who are loud in their denuncia-
ton of the powers that be.
II. Of course, have no Just cause for COM
plant under a Democratic administration"
said Republican empioye to TIMES man
last evening, "but it is foregone conclusion
that the new Public Printer will never all ow
all the men now in the Government Printing
Office 70 rnmnin and ~ n natural conclusion
We Republicans will be the ones to go. This
will be hardship to many, for the reason
that We are not allowed to earn enough
moneyto pay our board, let alone save money
20 get out of town with"
Il do not blame the Democrats for making
complaint as it is their administration" said
another discontented Republican. but it is
not our fault. for we will work as long as we
can. l have been ready to quit for some
time past, but as am not discharged l still
hang on. 1t is, however, getting too hot. and
rather than work on this half-a-loaf plan
would just as soon be discharged"
For genuine soreness one has but to look in
the face of a new Democratic appointee. Il
consider this an extreme outrage on the part
of our Senate Printing Committee, said one
savage-looking Democrat last evening.
when l made my application for this ap-
poiptment l was given to understand that
l would be given steady employment. When
got my papers left home and friends ex-
pecting TO find remunerative employment
here in Washington, and intended shortly
after my arrival to remove my family here.
find, however, that things are vastly differ
ent from what l expected. The office is
greatly overcrowded and work very scarce.
which necessitatei idleness one-half the
time. only receive 1920 per day, and with
loss time only earn $500 per week. am
compelled to pay my board here, and at the
same time send support to my family"
''Yes, it is tough" said another individual
who was evidently stranger to the price Of
a shave. II am going TO throw up my possi-
ton and GO home. 1t Is physical impoSi-
bility for me to meet my legitimate expenses,
and the longer stay here the more impose
upon the good people Of Washington by con-
tracing unpaid board bills"
The cause for all this so far as THE TIMES
man could learn was as stated the fact of
General Palmer having made so many ap-
pointments at the solicitation OF members of
Congress, and not removing Republicans to
make room for the incoming Democrats and
which gives the Office double force of men.
II was also said that General Palmer caused
numerous furloughs in order to keep his
appropriation within its limits.
Dissatisfaction is daily growing among all
the employees, and unless something is done
very soon to relieve the stress OF circumstances
there is liable to be an open outburst of dis
approval. Threats have already been made
to the effect that unless the Democrats get
better treatment than they have in the past a
mass meeting will be called to denounce the
parties responsible for the present situation.
Benedict's confirmation seems to be a
settled fact, at least this is the information
given by prominent Democratic Senator at
the Capitol yesterday.
Talk OF antagonism is without foundation. |
as nobody can be found that will express this |
idea. His efficient record during Cleveland's |
last administration serves as wall of strong |
defense and would indicate approval.
What he will do when he assumes control |
with the present condition of affairs, is of |
course matter of speculation. but it is prob |
able that a wholesale discharge may take |
place soon after he is inducted into Office.