The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-08-19
MEN WHO DRAW DOUBLE PAY.



WASHINGTON, August l0.-The Post
office Department is confronted with
curious case. \ few weeks ago the name
of clerk was brought to the attention of
First Assistant Postmaster General Heath
as an applicant for an increase of salary.
Mr. Heath Investigated the case and found
that the man was drawing salary Of 81,
600 per annum, but the chief Of his divi-
sion warmly endorsed his application for
an increase, stating that the man was one
of the hardest workers in his office, always
at his desk, never missing a day for sick
ness or other cause, and that, in addition
to his own work, he frequently helped out
other clerks who were behind in their daily
task General Heath was about to order
a substantial increase Of salary. One day
he was il formed that the industrious clerk
Who never missed a day was carried on the
pension roll as a totally disabled soldier,
and was drawing pension at the rate Of
S12 per month This is the highest pen
sion paid under the law, and the pension
ers who draw this sum make an affidavit
tha; they are totally disabled aud so help
less that they require the constant attend
ance Of nurse or other attendant to feed
them. give them their medicine and in
other ways minister to their every physical
want Accordingly, that clerk who on
the pension rolls was a physical wreck
drawing So per month, and on the post
Office rolls as one Of the best men in the
service, drawing 81 coo per year, re
ceived 40 promotion
OTHER CASES
General Heath found that this was by
no means an isolated case Not long ago
a man who had been in the postoffice service
under Mr. Cleveland, aud had been dis
missed, applied for reinstatement on the
ground that lee was an old soldier When
he made his personal application he told
how hard he had worked in the Mckinley
campaign. aud he brought proof Of uutir
in- industry ou election DAYS The de
parDlent was favorably impressed His
soldier record was looked up, and it was
found that he was drawing the pension Of
. totally disabled veteran, So He was
confronted with his pension record, and
admitted it He was told that he must
either surrender his pension or withdraw
his application for reinstatement, because
the two were utterly Inconsistent lie
promptly withdrew his request for REIN
statement, saving that since he had been
turned out Of Office under Mr. Cleveland
he bad found lucrative employment, but
had preferred his old job under the gov
ernmeHt.
Not long ago in spirited contest fer
the pustma9tership Of one uf the largest
cities in the United States one Of the
strongest candidates was a clerk in the
office. who was drawing a total disability
pension. bat was strongly urged On the
President fer the place because Of his faith
iul service in the office and hi, thorough
knowledge of the practical work Of the
office
rHESI HAVE GOOD BERTHs.
There are in the departments in Wash
in-tan between tvo and three hundred
clerks who are carried on the pension roll~
a. Totally disabled which includes the
constant Attendance Of a nurse When
Commissioner If Pension Evans first as
suued Office he favored publishing the list
of All uen who we're drawing this rate Of
pension. bur Secretary Of the Interior
Bliss, after first approving the suggestion.
attcrwsd opposed it Many Of the men
who draw these pensions are carried on the
r,.,ter Of a pension agency at some distance
from their home Thus some Of the pen
,ioaer. living in Washington have their
money paid 10 property accredited repre-
>eutaliyez At indianapolis