The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-22
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.


enly the hisA Gan AAorA to 0se.py
tie chief Places.
There are two sides 70 every question,
and the question Of government pay has
three or four. No one csn say with truth
that the government pays too little nor
that the government pays too much to Ito
employees. Take the case Of the president
of the United States. Though on, 200
was considered sufficient reward for the
chief magistrate until the days Of Grant,
there Ia no doubt that the American peo-
Pc owe 1t to the president not alone to
psovide for his wants while he Is in office,
but to guarantee him against poverty
after he leaves the White House. A former
president Of the United States In want
would be sorry sight for the world to
see. On the other hand, the salaries paid
to the members Of the presidents cabinet
are hardly more than will pay their house
rent in city where the cost Of living is
greater than 1t is in almost any other city
In the United States.
No man Of moderate means can afford
to maintain both the official and the social
dignity Of position In the presidents
official family. Our diplomats, too, are
not provided with the means to enable
them to maintain an appearance In agree
able comparison with that Of the repre-
sentatives Of other nations, and the prea-
dent Is concerned every four years with
the task Of finding, not so much compe-
tent, as wealthy, men to represent us at the
capitals Of Europe Scientists in the gov
eminent employ are VIGOROUSLY under
paid.
But on the other hand, the commoner
occupations In the government service
command pay which is out Of all proper
tion to that allowed for similar work in
the business world. Stenographcrs who
would receive at the most SIS month in
business houses draw 81, 400 from the
government, and $40 rs paid to clerks
whose sole occupation is the writing Of ad-
dresses on envelopes-work which would
be done in business office by boys at $B
to IS a week. Clerks engaged in making
entries In books, who would not rank
higher than second assistant bookkeepers
in commercial establishments, receive ST.
400 or more year-greater compensation
by 40 or 30 per cont than they could OBJ
tain from other employers. In fact, 1t
may be said, conservatively, that the gov
crnment pays for It's ordinary clerical help
at least one-third more than other EN-
ployers would pay. At the same time 1t re-
ceiyes from Its employees only OK hours
Of service each day, and the work done by
each in an hour averages far below similar
work done by clerks in other places.
Yet the clerks of tho departments are SO
improvident that 1t is necessary for part
of their number to petition congress for a
civil pension list, to be maintained through
assessments on the salaries Of those in the
service. Undoubtedly under these condi-
tions reduction in salaries would work a
temporary hardship to those who have be.
come accustomed to living up to the limit
Of too bountiful salaries and at the same
time horizontal cut would work an in
justice to men and women in many of the
departments who arc now underpaid.
A far more sensible arrangement would be
a reimbursement Of salaries and gradual
reduction Of those which appear excessive
in comparison with the pay given for SIM
liar work by Other employers.
If the government did not pay more for
its work than any other employer, the
president would not be bothered half to
death by the opportunities of office seek
ers.-Leslie's Weekly.