Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-07-08
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
Oi.Iy the Rich Can Anord "a Occupy
the Chief Places.

There are two sides To every question,
and the question of government pay has
three or four M onr can say with truth
that the government pays too little nor
that the government pays too much 10 its
employees Take the case of the president
Of the United States Though S25, 0ao
was considered sufficient reward for the
chief magistrate until the days OF Grant.
there j. no doubt that the American PEG
pie owe il 10 the president not alone TO
PROV de for his wants while he is ia office
Int IT, guarantee him against poverty
after he leaves thc White House \ former
Or. sidsut Of the United States in want
would t. "A sorry sight for the world To
see. t'n The other hand, the salaries paid
- IT, members of the president cabinet
arr Iaidly r,orc than will pay their house
rent IL - city where the cost al living i
greater than il t. in almost any other city
in the nitcd states
M man of moderate means can afford
tn maintain both the oilicial and the social
dignity of "a position in the president :
official family. our diplomats, too are
not prov idcd with the means To enable
them to maintain AN appearance i'm agree
able comparison with that Of the repre-
scntatiVrs Of other nations. aud the prcSi-
dent i concerned every four years with
the task Of finding, not 50 much compc-
tent. n wealthy men 10 represent Us nj the
capitals nf Europe Scientists in the gov
crnmcnt employ are VIGOROUSLY under
paid
But on the other hand. the conmoncr
occupations in the government service
command pay which is ont OF all proper
tion Ia that allowed for similar work in
the business world. Stcnographcr> who
would receive -; the most so u month in
business houses draw 81 100 from the
/ government. and $50 is paid Ia clerks
whose sole occupation il the writing of ad-
dresses ON envelopes which would
/ bc done i'm a business office by boys mt SO
| Ia - week Clerks engaged in making
entries in hnokS. who would not rank
higher than second assistant book keepers
| in commercial establishments, receive 81.
/ 400 or more u year greater compensation
/ by i0 or 80 per cent than they could oh
tain from ether employers. In fact, il
may be- said. cunscrVaiivcly, that the gov
crnmeni pays for its ordinary clerical help
at least one third more than other cn-
ploycrS would pay At the same time it re-
cciyts from its employees only 81 hours
/ Of service each day. and the work done by
cach i'm an hour averages far below similar
work done by ,.rrkS in other places
Yet The clerks of the departments are -
imprnvdcnt that il Is necessary for part
OF their number To petition congress for a
civil pension list. Ia he maintained through
assessments ON the salaries of those in the
service. ndouhteolly under these cundi-
tinnS reduction in salaries would work u
temporary hardship to those who have be-
come accustomed Ia living up Ia the limit
of too bountiful salaries. and at the same
time horizontal cut would work an in
justice Ia men and women in many of the
departments who are now undcrpaid
\ far more sensible arrangement would he
n REIMBURSEMENT of salaries and gradual
reduction of those which appear excessive
in comparison with the pay given for sim
liar work 10y other employers
II the government did not pay more for
its work than any other employer. the
president would not be- bothered half Il
death hy the opportunities Of office seek
rs-lcslic'S Weekly.