Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-13
RETIREMENT OF CLERKS.
A Strong Endorsement Of the Tawney
Bill by One of Them.

Bill by One of Them.
Mr. E. p. Hamlin, a clerk in the Post
Office Department. has written letter to
Congressman James A. Tawney, indorsing
the bill presented by the latter. providing
a plan for the retirement of clerks at a
certain age, or after a certain period of
service
Permit me to cordially thank you for
your efforts along this line" says Mr.. Ham
lin in his letter, and to indulge the hope
that you will persevere to the final passage
Of the bill through both houses. The bill,
possibly, needs amending, but no man.
made thing was ever perfect in its concep-
ton. and as this is a long stride in the
direction of perfecting, and the more fully
carrying out, the inherent principles of our
civil service system-of which we already
feel justly proud-as an humble and young
worker in this service / hail 1t with much
enthusiasm. Recently the local public press
has been burdened with the productions of
the overtaxed brains of many of my fellow
clerks on this subject, some Of which seem
to be the offspring of base ingratitude and
a chronic case Of dyspepsia; they seem to
consider it a salary or pension grabbing
scheme, piece of political trickery, by
which lot Of old fossils as one has
very unkindly put it, will be foisted upon
unwilling contributors.
THE facts do not warrant any such con-
been appointed by the committee in charge
for hearing those opposed to the objects Of
the bill, l would suggest that an early date
be appointed for those in favor Of the bill
to be heard. l would urge that the section
limiting the time to five years within which
moneys paid in may be refunded with 4
per cent interest be stricken out, and sec
ton inserted providing for such refunding
at any time the clerk may resign or be dis
charged The first four years Of the exc
cutlon Of this law would, of course, be
barren of reward to any one: hence some
thing of burden; but thereafter, 1t seems
to me evident, there must come line of
promotions with each retirement which
would otherwise not be made. Many Of our
good and tried public servants are incap-
able, by reason of years or inf1rmity, to
perform the duties devolving upon them in
their daily official life. and yet through the
periors they are kept in office drawing a
full salary (pension), when II retired from
active labor, at say $500 per annum, they
would be happier. the service improved,
and ambitious young men and women would
receive merited promotions which are GER
tainly incentives to. earnest and faithful
service. And then, under this retirement
system, we all would feel better contented
would be assured of q certain support in
our old age. or, in the event Of retiring from
office earlier in life, the refunding of all
money paid in with per cent interest, the
eaiiie We WouiQ receive from postal or Otner
savings banks for small savings"
In conclusion Mr.. Hamlin says: Permit
me IN closing to say that it Is my humble
belief, and 1t seems to be the consensus OF
opinion of those to whom have talked on
the subject, that q uniform rate Of pay, of
800 to $3.50 per annum upon retirement,
would be just and equitable to all concern
ed. When man arrives at the age of re-
tirement, the probabilities are that he will
nave no email children, and perhaps not
even wife to support; hence 5000 per an
mum would keep him nicely.
wish you the fullest success in your
Undertaking, for I feel that 1t is only q
matter OF time until some such measure
Will be operative in our civil service, and
am only sorry that at this time you are moi
encouraged by more Of my fellow clerks"