The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-06-05

erage sick leave is only a fraction
over three days.
This debate was prolonged; but
sufficient is here quoted to show the
facts, and the animus of Mr.. Robin
son. Later in the day he announced
that he had prepared and would in
troduce a bill cutting off the sick
leaves of employees of the govern
ment. His attack upon the clerks
has caused great deal of consterna-
tion among the civil service employees
of the government. Not less than
$4,000 people depend upon govern
ment employment for bread and but
ter.
The readers of this column of cor
respondence have been informed from
time to time of the facts showing that
government clerks receive larger sal
aries for less hours of work than any
other class of people in our country,
They who succeed in securing employ
ment in the civil service are exceeding
ly fortunate. But, while it is true that
they are fortunate in their environ
ments, and while it is further true
that a majority of them do not realize
that they are to be envied, it does not
not follow that they are dishonest nor
dishonora BILE. There is no reason why
Mr.. Robinson, of Indiana, or any other
man in congress should attack their
integrity and assume that they are
class of malingerers.
There are clerks who absent them
selves from their desks and send word
that they are sick, when that report is
false. There are congressman whose
lives are as crooked as a dogs hind leg.
But it is not fair to assume that all
of a class are alike dishonorable,
AS a general rule when clerks report
themselves indisposed they are telling
the truth.
1t is customary for the executive de-
partments to permit clerks to have 30
days of sick leave every year, without
deducting their pay for absence. This
is merely humane. But the integrity
of clerks is manifested when Mr..
Hemenway publicly reports that so
few clerks report themselves sick that
in all of the executive departments the
average sick leave is "only fraction
over three days" That shows that
thousands of clerks never take any
sick leave at all, while other thousands
take only such leave as they are enti-
tied to, on account of impaired health.
The writer knows of five individual
cases in which good clerks after hav-
ing been absent sick for 30 days, were
required to resign their positions on
account of continued sickness This
was a great hardship, to lose an in
come when illness required the ex-
pense of medical attendance and med
zeal skill In each case the depart
ments held their positions for them,
and four of the good clerks recovered
and were restored within a year. If
a sick clerk is absent more than a year,
the civil rules will not permit restora-
ton to office. One of the clerks re-
ferred to above died within a year
after losing his place.
There are thousands of ladies in Of
H..
They have children or parents or other
dear ones dependent upon them. They
are conscientious and faithful. Many
of them go to their desks to work when
they have swimming headaches, or
other ailments, and they do not shirk.
Not many days ago a young lady
tainted at her desk in the office of the
auditor of the post Office department.
She is fragile creature, but bravely
performs her duty for the benefit of
others.
While worthy of commentator,
that young lady is only one of a class
of worthy women, all of whom deserve
praise. 1t is unfairsthat any censure or
shadow of censure should be aimed at
them. They are worthy public serv-
ants all And the majority of the men
are like unto them for idelity.
SMITH D. FRY.