Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-06
A CLERKS DAYS WORK.
Some Reflections on the Benefit of "a
Retirement Law.

Retirement Law.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
A government clerk draws the line at
Mr.. Tawrey's concern for the good of the
service" and to get rid Of the "superan-
nuated clerks who arc retained for the
sake Of sweet charity" / ask if expert
cree, a full know ledge of the work, re-
liability, &c, go for nothing? One even
prefers a Settled" reliable experienced
house servant to yourg, giddy, though
active, one, but whose head is full of the
pursuits anG pleasures of the world outside
of your household, and who hurries impa-
tently through to enter upon them. So
with the servitors of the government. A
man or woman of advanced age who is
settled in mind and body, who plods
patiently, intent upon the performance of
duty, aiding the chief in his work, fully
alive 20 the trust and responsibility i'm
posed is rather more to be depended on
than the yourg clerk who is restless and
impatient for the hours to pass that he or
she may enter upon the pleasures and pur-
suits of the world outside the government
office. A S one of the superannuated clerks
speak. and whisper that l am over sixty
SIX years of age, but on the day Mr.. Taw-
Eey was giving vent to his opinions, i will
tell you what work / did, that you may
judge now useful at least one of the super
animated may be: From dictaticn / took
1orty pages of shorthand notes and wrote
them out on the typewriter; copied about
Twenty-Five pages of manuscript, and COM
pared as many more papers, and all be-
tween and O'Clock. OF course there are
some SICK and feeble clerks among the
young as well as the old, but the average
clerk is healthy, vigorous full of zeal, and
mas desire to give satisfaction. 1t would
take a doubly refined sieve to sift out the
faithiess and unworthy clerks IT is as
natural for the young man or woman TO be
gay and full of interest in the outside
world as 1t is foc the lambs to frsk over
the lawns, or the squirrels to spring from
tree to tree in the sweet spring time: and
as equally natural for the old to be sober
quiet and intent Upon the duties of life
before hem and filled with the gravity and
responsibility of their tasks
Will you not, Mr.. Editor advocate an
amer dment to the annuity BILL that il 60
into effect at once. Surely the 3 per cent
pald IN for the month of July. 1896, will
secure fund to begin retiring the feeble
and sick clerks, and allow them TO seek
green fields and pastures new" in order
TO regain life and strength, which the con-
Iines or a government Office will forever
uehy TO them and not only compel them
10 orsg out 4 weary existence. but will
also impede the progress of the service,
py acting as a clog to its wheels day
by day. i, one of the ANTIQUES could
not be benefited by the act at once, because
can be useful, being healthy and strong;
Out would gladly contribute the 3 per cent
Oh salary to enable thu government to re-
tlre the less fortunate clerks and give
them the benefit at once of the gracious
act of Congress, thereby rendering the
service great benefit, as well as the feeble
clerks, and raising the status of MrTawney
IN the hearts of his constituents
W lille on this subject permit me to saw
that members of Congress- and Others
are in the habit of referring to govern
ment Clerks as persons of an inferior
class, as species of animals who oc-
cupy lower scale of human life while in
fact the majority of them excel in educa-
tlon, attairments, refinement birth and
lineage many Of their critics; and MANY of
the clerks are descendants of or widows of
former members of Congress, of officers of
the army and navy and even of Presidents
have Travelled the world over been present
ed at courts and have been associat ted
with the noble of the earth, their misfor-
tune being only that they We're not left
estates that would save them from the
necessity OF earning an honest living for
themselves and those dependent upon them
BE careful now You speak of government
Clerks" for you may be trampline unon
the best blood of which America can boa ST
ana be guilty Of ingratitude to your honored
1orefathers, whose blood runs through their
veins, as well as doing great wrong To
those VINO may possibly come after these
same clerks in government places!
therefore give due respect to these work
ers IN the public service, and do not refer
to them as not entitled to your highest
respect and gratitude, as faithful servitors
IN common cause, and who are doing
yourselves and the land you call your own
an honor and benefit. Clerks are not the
only unhappy debtor class either. but
honor ana integrity is the rule and not
the exception. Defend the government
clerks and you defend a class of persons
who are an honor to the land we boast of
as the home of the free, the brave and the
good. GEORGE