Evening star., 1902-01-28
Age Limit for Clerks.

10 tae Edltor OF Inc Evening Star:
beg to offer a few suggestions apropos
of the bill recently introduced in the House
by Representative Gillett of Massachusetts,
providing for the dismissal of civil en-
ployes of the government who have attain
ed the age Of sixty-five years. The only
possible basis for the measure is the pre-
sumption that a man who is sixty-five
years old is mentally or physically disqual-
lted to render satisfactory service Aside
from all questions of sentiment, the turn
3ng out to grass" Of old faithful public
servants, injustice to old veterans, de
tenders of the flag etc. there seems to
of the measure. Is a man of sixty-five In
capacitated for busneSs-especially for a
business with which he has become ia
miliar by years of service and application?
III TINS De so the country Is in danger. An
examination Of the roster Of the United
States Senate will show that that body is
composed largely of old men. Not counting
the immature members between sixty and
sixty-fiVe. and ignoring the boys under six
ty, we lind that nearly one-third of the
membership is MADE up of men over sixty
five years of age.
Pettus of Alabama is eighty; his col
league, Senator Morgan, Is seventy-seven: !:
Hoar of MasSa Sachusetts and Bate of Ten
nessee are seventy-five; Hawley of Connec-
ticut and Stewart of Nevada are seventy
four; Platt of Connecticut is seventy three;
Teller OF Colorado, Cullom of Illinois, Alli-
son of Iowa, Vest of Missouri: Gibson of
Montana and Jones of Nevada are seventy
one; Proctor of Vermont is seventy, Piatt
OF New York and Quay of Pennsylvania
are sixty-eight; Cockreil of Missouri and
DepeW OF New York are sixty-seven; Bur-
rows OF Michigan, Minard of Nebraska,
mitchell OF oregon and Foster of Washing
ton are sixty-five, and Senator Hanna Of
ONO tWho would doubtless vigorously OBJ
Ject TO being regarded as mental and
xxvsl1 TT,
ty-ive class in September. next.
Mr. Gliiett may justify the presence of
these gentlemen IN the, Sepate on the ''old
men for counsel ideaiobutt the distinguish
ea naMes ABOVE mentioned are those of
leaders and workers, rand drmost of them at
least not only accomplish a vast amount of
labor, but also find time and physical en-
ourance Ior participants inssuch feasts and
sociai diversions as weNm soon finish a 'su-
perannuated governments clerk.
Space forbids detailed, reference to the
Rouse membership, duts itais not probable
tnat such men as Grdsvenor of Ohio Hit
ana cannon OF Illinois. aKsetcham of New
YORK and Connell ofdPenfssylvania (all of
Whom have passed the sixty-five mark,
would agree that a man thas lost his use
fuIness at sixty-flve.szss
II may De suggested that the character
OF work required of f,nhe olegislator differs
from that Of the employe, but be it remem-
pered that the goveralmHnt clerk is en-
gagged In mental labor f4EIis duties are icler-
ica! ana 90 not demand exceptional phys
lcal organization. This is particularly true
OF the older clerks, most of whom by req
son OF their years Of experience. occupy po-
sitlons In the higher grades of clerkship.
II man Is too cid at sixty-ffve to occupy
subordinate positionltit would seem in
congruons. as a business. proposition to an
point him to superior one. to direct other
and younger men. Yet IL Mr.. Gillett's bin
should beceme law the spectacle would
be presented, OF Secretary Hitchcock. or
Secretary Wilson fwho are each sfxty-seven
years old, disnissing subordinates for the
onense of being sixty five years of age.
And il the notices of dismissal should be
postponed until year from October next.
Secretaries Hay and Long might notify
such OF their clerks as fall within the pur-
posed law as follows:
AS you have attained the age of sixty
five years and are therefore of no more
use to Uncle Sam. you are hereby dismissed.
pursuant to the GIliett act
S.-i am sixty-five myself, but for