The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1900-04-18
HE WENT UP HIGHER
HOW A GOVERNMENT CLERK Sc
CURED LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

SOhGo AGNNG VT fNOOINSG.
After Getting the "Hoyal Word"
From the Secretary of His Depart
ment lie Had Fun With the Divi-
sion Chief, Who Had Turned Him
Down.
"The question of sick and annual
leave" said clerk in an up town de.
partment to reporter, is one Of the
utmost Importance to government
clerks and is one of their most precious
privileges. will tell you of an oc-
currence in my department which will
interest fellow clerks especially.
"A clerk in my division put in an
application for n few days leave In
the usual form In writing, TO be o. X d
by the chief of division and sent ON It's
way to the chief clerk OF the depart
ment. Not hearing from it and the
time approaching for his departure he
went to his chief and sald
"'Nlr -, how about my applica-
| tionY
Here II is on my desk. l have not
sent 1t up. 1t Is too early In the year
to apply for that length of time, I'M
portant business or not. You cannot
be spared
"My friend. who is a little fellow and
diplomat, grasped the situation at
once. II happened that he had per-
sonal acquaintance with the secretary,
one of those rare Instances where a
cabinet officer has personal acquaint-
anee with one of his own clerks They
had met outside of the department,
for the little fellow is member of an
own district.
"lfe bowed and withdrew, but in
stead of going back to his desk he
made n short cut up the corridors to-
ward the secretary's room. Just as
he was approaching the latters private
office entrance the secretary, In COM
pany with couple of gentlemen, came
out. Observing the clerk and his anx-
ious, inquirlng face, he paused shook
him cordially by the hand and exclaim-
ed to his companions:
Senator, here Is n bright little fell
| low from my state who is the father of
| the biggest, cherublc faced baby you
ever saw and the husband of the hap.
| piest of wife mothers, Look at him
blush. Well, what's the matter nowp
Why, | want to go away on busl
ness for fortnight, and
Well, you little rascal why don,t
you go? I'll let you-only be sure te
come back and don't get lost on the
cars
THE secretary's hearty laugh, In
which the others Joined, echoed in the
marble tessellated corridors, and they
passed on. The royal word had been
given.
"That evening at quarter to 4-he
left it until last minute purposely--he
went TO his chief. 1t was his turn to
rub 1t In.
"'Mr. - he said quietly, have you
sent up my leaver
~ have not, replied the chief short
ly. 4 disposed Of that question this
| morning
4 thought that the secretary grant
ed leave in this department was
not aware that chiefs of division pos
sessed that authority 1t was wal
| now. Both looked each other unfiinch
ingly In the eye. Then the chief began
TO smell a little official mouse and re.
sorted TO browbeating, as Is not I'M
usual under similar circumstances.
You are lmpertinent-
"1 beg your pardon quickly In
terrupted the clerk, for a chief to say
to a clerk that he Is impertlnent Inn
putes charge against him. | request
that you withdraw that remark. 1t Is
no impertinence for clerk to state
rule of the department to his chief,
more especially when he appears to
have forgotten 1t or IL unaware of its
existence. The secretary, and he alone,
finally grants or disapproves applica-
lions for leave In all departments Of
the government. | have never before
heard this authority questioned
az don't question It, hastily inter-
jected the chief, to whose nose the off,
clal monsy smell was each moment be-
coming more acute.
by not submitting my application
to those whose province 1t Is to decide
such questions you certainly do ques-
ton 1t and exceed your authority. APP
proved or dlsapproved by you. they
and not you pass on 1t finally, and,
Furthermore, you know it.
az will send 1t up tomorrow said
the chief as he climbed down from his
high horse as gracefully as the occa-
sion admitted Let me see. you wish
to CO.
"'Take your time replied my
friend pleasantly. 1T is already grant
ed. | have the secretary's personal
permission to go provided | do not get
lost on the cars. | start tomorrow
and / will try not to get lost. Good
hy DIVA shinpton Star