New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-19
FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

Mr. Rryan. in q recent speech AT Ada, Ohio,
iocosely remarked that he hoped soon TO he
distributing postofiices' There Is si2nifl-
canoe in this utterance Of the Popocratc candi-
date that all the men employed in carrying on
the work of the Government may well take
deeply to heart. 1t is especially to be COM
mended 10 the consideration of two classes
of hard-worked and moderately paid Govern
ment employes-the letter-carriers and the
nostal-clerks whose National associations nave
inst been holding their annual conventions.
the one in Grand Rapids, Mich, the other in
Denver 1t is possible that in their annual
gatherings. in which they interrupted the daily
routine of their work to consider questions or
general welfare. as every body of organized
working people is rightly in the habit of doing,
they have had the importance of the mpend-
ing political struggle brought home to them
with particular force. IL would not be strange,
under all the circumstances, If this were so. III
is especially fitting that It should have beef
done. for the position of these two important
organizations, numbering nearly 25,OW mem
bers. is representative OF the situation In
which the great mass Of Government employees
find themselves in relation TO the present polit-
zeal campaign. The danger Is for them. and
II is also for their employers, the people.
Mr. Bryan hoped soon to be distributing post
offices This hope was founded on the shame
less declaration OF the Chicago platform that
the American people are not really in favor OF
the reform Of the Civil Service that they have,
after so many long years of struggling. wrung
from the politicians in gradually increasing
measure: are not in favor, as the resolution
nhrased IT, of life tenure in the Government
service" but desire a fixed term In appointive
offices" which will open the public service to
n larger number of citizens" In cooperation
with the enlightened sentiment OF the people
of the country. these organizations OF postal
employees have been working TO secure per-
manent tenure. based solely on good behavior,
of their offices. in which the elements of skill
and practice and familiarity with the service
are vital and all-important. Mr.. Bryan's dec
laration in which he has the support OF the
platform on which he was placed at Chicago.
means that these positions of letter-carriers and
Dostal-clerks are to be taken from their skilled
occupants and distributed 10 political workers.
Are they and the other Government employees
who are similarly placed looking forward to
this change of policy with any longing TO as
sist and speed its coming? And are the people,
who employ and pay them and enjoy the benent
of their skill. viewing the programme with
appreciation?
And are Government employees looking for
ward with eagerness to the results of victory
for free silver? The reputation leaders all an
nounce that their object is to secure higher
prices and that the desired result of free Sill
yer will be to increase the cost OF all the nee
essaries Of life Mr.. Altged AYERS that 1t will
double prices Mr.. Bland has repeatedly said
that the purpose is to raise prices. Mr. Bryan.
in spite of his cautious announcement that I'VE
believe" that silver dollar will reach the value
of n gold dollar still proclaims the certainty of
higher prices under free silver. What is the
significance Of this tor Government employees
A general rise of prices means reduction In
the power Of fixed annual salaries 10 purchase
what they now purchase \ thousand-dollar
| salary of gold-standard hundred-cent dollars
would lie. under free silver. salary of 1000
| ffty-three-cent dollars. purchasing only 53 per
cent of what il will now purchase
These are elementary facts. hut they bear di-
roctly upon the welfare of every Government
! cmpovp and still more closely upon the eff
! cheney of the Civil Service We trust that the
lcttcrcarriers and the postal-clerks. non-par
tisan though their organizations be, found
tirrc. in the intervals of their convention bust
ness 70 discuss these points with each other
so that they were absolutely plain 10 every
member They should he equally plain to al
other servants Of The people under the Govern
mcnI. and to the people themselves who be-
Ueve in Civil Service Reform.