The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-07-27

NOTHING BEFORE HIM BUT GLOOM.
representatives were without protec-
tion from this class of constituents. II
was the general impression that a
statesman could get an office for con-
stituent by merely asking for 1t. There
fore those who were active In political
participation claimed public Office as
the reward of their political services.
Not infrequently the treasury was in
vaded on this account. The civil-serv-
ice law provided check which abashed
the Office seekers, and proved protec-
ton to the statesmen. II was also i'm
tended TO prove potential in protecting
good clerks In their places; but in this
particular It was incomplete. While
the law prevents lndiscriminate APP
pointments, II does not prevent dis
missals- 1t provides no alternative for
the clerk, who Is removed without
cause. He has no court of appeals. He
must go.
Very many clerks have been dis
missed from the executive depart
ments during the past year; and there
Is consequently considerable suffering
in this city by these additions to tho
army Of the unemployed. The major
fly Of the dismissals have been caused
by the reduced appropriations, and the
secretaries of the departments have
been compelled by law TO make reduc-
items In the clerical force. 1t is ex-
ceedingly unfortunate that, in addition
TO removal from office, many clerks,
who have been for years engaged in de-
partmental work, should feel themselves
Inundated by the causes assigned for
their removal. OF course every clerk
has had some friend In congress who
has appealed for. his or her retention In
Office. but the heads of departments
have been unable to keep them all and
consequently there can be no rcinstate-
mcnts When members of congress
have asked why their friends have been
dismissed, and others retained, they
are informed that ''only the best clerks
have been retained" This Is an i'm
piled reflection upon the clerical abil-
tiles Of those who have been removed,
and each of them regards 1t rs deep
humiliation ~
There Is an old man here -sixty-five
years, have passed over his head--an
old man of scholarly attachments and
splendid, clerical record, who was dis
missed few weeks ago from position
which he has held for twenty years.
He Is too far advanced in life TO begin
anew in some other kind of labor, and
no realizes his helplessness. He writes
a good hand and understands his BUSH
ness thoroughly, andiyet he cannot un-
derstand why others should have been
|retained while he was sent forth with
nothing before him but gloom and
nothing behind him but an alleged
record for inefliciency. AS n matter OF
fact, although a good clerk, there arc
others, younger than he, who arc more
efficient; who can do more work and
do IL better His removal Is not In
tended to be reflection upon him, but
he so feels II, and told mo this evening,
with tears In his eyes and with quaver-
ing voice, that his wife and children
feel the humiliation more keenly than
they will feel the deprivation Of COM
forts and necessities during the coming
winter.
This venerable and unfortunate man
Is but sample of n class; and IL " q
large cfnha IN thtn cry Wobo c"fhpha
in all other places realize the uncer-
talnty OF continued employment, the
caprice OF employers, tho certainty OF
the coming Of "a rainy day." and they
save money, buy homes, and In other
ways make preparation for the future.
Employees OF the general government,
however, although they may a. first
bring TO Washington with them proper
ideas OF economy and thrift. speedily
imblbe and absorb the carclcssncss and
prodignlity OF tho class Of people with
whom their lot Is cast. The govern
mcnt pays almost twice as much
for clerical labor as any private cs-
adjustment on corporation can af-
ford TO pay. and viii pay. More
over, tho government always pays the
employees Ia tho executive departments
regularly on The 10Th and the
|a0tA Of each month. The money
comes from the treasury. and the notes
are bright and new and fresh. IL Is
Arst handled by the federal officials.
The employees know that as long as the |
government lasts there viii never be a |
payday skipped The money win nj |