The Washington times., 1905-05-14
To be continued next wesk.
4 prsseNrIne OPINION

To the Editor OF The Washington FINEST
A great many very intelligent peoass
have expressed the opinion that asyoung
man who secures a Government clerk
ship is unfortunate, for the alleged rea~
son that his ambitions are soon weaken
ed and his energies impaired. under the
influence OF an easily earned income
which he is Ioath TO voluntarily reIiu-
quish.
There is another side 20 this ques-
ton, however, and the truth Is that
many successful careers have had their
foundation In subordinate Government
cierkship. Under the protection OF the
present civil service laws, clerks have
an incentive to work for promotion. and
scores Of lucrative positions IN the serv-
ice are now held by men who only a
few years ago were at the first rung
of the ladder It Is, OF course, excep-
tionaf for 81 ,200 clerk to rise by sue
cessiye promotions to a Cabinet ;zf1ice,
| as in the case Of the present Postmaster
General, but 1t is not unusual for subor-
dinates to attain positions of import
anee, paying comfortable salaries. There
, are in the Patent Office today. two prirl-
cipal examiners at g, go per annunn who
started in as messengers; and the assist
ant commissioner of that bureau only
a very few years ago, was on the pay
roll at 81 100 year. The Assistant At
torney General. for the Department OF
the Interior tat $500 per annunal. is
! another conspicuous example OF melted
promotion, he having begun his official
| career in the ranks. The position of
Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury has
been filled several times within the last
few years by persons who were prousor-
ed from minor cIerkshfgs
Numerous other instances might be
given 10 show that there are chances
for success in the service. for capable.
ambitious young men. But it is from
another point OF view that a Goxern-
ment clerkship may be REGARDED as a
desirable position for those having their
way 10 make, and that is the opportuni-
q II a1ofds young man for educating
himself and acquiring d financial start
III lie. The latter part of that preposi-
ton may seem humorous 10 some OF
the clerks who are patrons Of the money
lenders; but the fact is that the IN
married man who cannot support flfrra-
self and save little on even 500 a
Month. could hardly succeed In any
That hundreds OF the younger clerks
are taking advantage OF their oppor-
tunities for education. is evidenced by
the catalogues OF the several law, medi-
cal, and other schools of this city. The
evening sessions OF these excellent iustf-
buttons or learning, and the exceptional
libraries OF Washington, afford facilities
for acquiring profession, not eaualed
perhaps anywhere in this country; and
while II is true that man cannot arnass
wealth as a Government clerk hs may
If wise. utilize Uncle Sans service as
a stepping stone to a business or PRO-
fessionaf career. Many of the leading
citizens of the Capital have done So At
least two of our local bank presidents
began as Government clerks, and the
names of the successful lawyers IN
Washington and elsewhere, who grad
mated while serving as department
clerks would make a formidable list. 4
Government clerkship is not such a bad
thing. if properly managed.
f. 0. MeCLEARY,
612 r street northwest,