River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-08-01

representatives were without protec-
ton from this class of constituents. 1t
was the general impression that a
statesman could get an office for con-
stituent by merely asking for it. 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 a check which abashed
the office seekers, and proved a protec-
ton to the statesmen. H. was also in
tended to prove potential in protecting
good clerks in their places; but in this
particular it was incomplete. While
the law prevents indis innate APP
pointments, it does not prevent dis
missals. 1t provides no alternative for
the clerk, who is removed without
cause. lie has no court of appeals. lie
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 the
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-
tions in the clerical force. IL 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
humiliat d 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 reinstate-
ments. 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 inn
piled reflection upon the clerical abil-
tiles of those who have been removed,
and each of them regards it as 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.
lie is too far advanced in life to begin
anew in some other kind of labor, and
he realizes his helplessness. He writes
a good hand and understands his bust
ness thoroughly, and yet 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 inefiiciency. As matter of
fact, although a good clerk, there are
others, younger than he, who are more
efficient; who can do more work and
do II better His removal is not In
tended to be a reflection upon him, but
he SO feels it, and told me 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 q sample of a class: and il is
large class in this city. Wage earners
In all other places realize the uncer-
tainty of continued employment, the
caprice of employers, the 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 at first
bring to Washington with them proper
ideas of economy and thrift, speedily
imbibe AMI absorb the carelessness and
prodigality of the class of people with
whom their lot is cast. The govern
ment pays almost twice as much
for clerical labor as any private es-
tablishment or corporation can af-
ford to pay. and viii pay. More
over. the government always pays the
employees in the executive departments
regularly on the 18th and the
S0th of each month The money
comes from the treasury. and the notes
are bright and new and fresh. 1t is
first handled by the federal officials.
The employees know that as long as the
government lasts there will never be a
payday skipped. The money will al
ways be ready; and the employees usual
ly dispose of it with but little delay.
Very few of them are economical or
provident. The money comes easy
and goes easy" to use q common ex-
preston concerning such affairs.
Therefore. when old age comes, as it
always does. If employment ceases suf-
fering ensues.
The civil-service law contemplates
Norma nent emplovneut to the worthy:
hut when the expenses of government
ne reduced. from any motive what
ever. removals from office are necessi-
Jated. The government clerks who
are inprovident, and imagine tina. the
holding Of Office Is q permanencY. on