Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-14
sions to respectability,' spoken of by Gov
L nj I'll

sions to respectability,' spoken of by Gov
eminent Clerk
1T should be a wonder to honest men
that such bill could even be introduced in
an American Congress. Can any one see
the justice of taxing clerk receiving. say,
SS4O per year to enable clerk to retire on
a pension of $500 to 81 800?
again, there might be some small show
or justice in modified form of such a bill
II a position under our government was
permanent. but it is notorious that such is
not the case. Those learning trades or pro-
fessions are not the only ones who are
missing after few years service.
Either these positions as clerks are de-
sirahle, or they are not. If they are de-
slrable, let the clerks be governed by the
business principles which obtain in other
callings, and lay by Of their earnings for
their declining years. The very few who
a1ter thlrty years of government service,
being neither eXtravagant nor iisspated,
are found to be in want are to be pitiad;
but are no more entitled to pension than
a retired postmaster or school teacher I'M
der the same circumstances
The honorable member from Minnesota
Is no doubt sincere, but if his iniquitous
ana lll-advised measure become a law he
can hardly expect the present generation
OF government clerks to rise up and call
him blessed.
Il am in sympathy with many of the
amendments which are proposed to this
measure If the bill must pass. by all
means let the eccentric and unjust incon-
Sio'cLSIe5 Dc removed from 1t. bIIt
eht am unable to how a Congress
man with any pretensions to honor can
give 1t his support"
Old Clerks and Young,
An Old clerk sends the following philo-
sophical utterance:
III Is very doubtful whether a majority
OF 'ellgibles' desire retirement, under the
Iawney bill: yet, they are all savagely
attacked by young gentlemen who, perhaps
buck that other tawny creature that keeps
very late hours, and are in no condition to
distinguished between a tiger and a tomcat
III the morning. AS a matter of fact these
YOUNGSTERS are the ones who should be
retired; not once, but every night at saa-
SOnable hours: if not in order that tb.y
may be the better fitted for a performance
OF their clerical duties during the day thai
they may at least recover such vigor of
brain as will help them to perceive and
bear in remembrance the fact that Con.
SreSS, ard not Old clerks, does the lcais-
iatlng for this country. Tlse caiIow clerks
appear 10 be perfectly willing to step into
the Old clerks shoes, but they want 10
have the old clerks themselves taken ont
and shot. little cool application to the
subject vii! enable them to discover too
mat Congress appropriates for zach specific
pace Whtt us own Judgment dictates: that
Ii may enlarge or diminish the amount
three per centum, or to any extent at will
Yet they talk about our salaries and
our money 1t is no mans money until
ne mas earned il. and what Is one mans
salary today is another's tomorrow After
an, Tor each inefficient old clerk now in
the service there are half dozen inefficient
raw ones
The old clerk will gladly remain
whore he is if permitted discharging his
duties faithfully. as in the past. and in ad-
dition, cheerfully continuing in the future
to teach the fedglings who would fam
reiegate him to the bone yard-teach them
not only in clerical duties but in modesty
gratitude and manners. Yours truly,
old GRUB"