The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-20
CAMPBELL PROTESTS.
Doesn't Like the OsIer Plan for Aged
Clerks.

Washington. March 2o.-In the vast
amount of discussion that has been
aroused in congress by the determina-
ton of the committee on appropriations
Of the house Of representatives to re-
duce the pay of departmental clerks at
65 years Of age, and dispense with them
after 1913, at 70 years. Representative
P. P. Campbell has come forward with a
suggestion. He would have a short term
civil service. permitting clerks to serve
a stated period Of years, say six, or ten,
and then dismiss them. In this way he
would obviate the lack of usefulness
and the fact of dependency on the part
of the average clerk when old age comes
to him.
When the legislative. executive and
judicial appropriation bill was reported
to the house, 1t embodied reduction as
stated above when the clerk reaches 60
years. and dismissal from the service at
70 years, on and after the year 1918. Mr..
Livingston, ranking Democratic mem
Der, was desirous of having a commits
sion to pass on the further eligibility
Of aged clerks, retaining them where
still competent; dropping them, other
wise. Mr.. Campbell interrupted him by
saying:
Has the committee given any con-
sideration to the proposition to have the
civil service rules applied to the admins
sion of persons into the public service,
have them serve for specified time
or term, and then go out and make
their way in the world before they have
reached the age when they are incapaci-
tated to take care ofk themselves?"
Mr. Livingston replied that consider
alton had been given nearly every kind
of plan or scheme. He contended that
Mr. CampbelTs idea was not good for
the reason that a clerk usually came
in greer" in spite civil service re-
ouirements, and when brief term Of
years had elapsed, was just beginning
to be valuable.
Later on Mr. Campbell got into the
debate again. He said;
Il would protect him and the govern
ment at the same time by letting him
out while he is still capable of taking
care of himself. Now, is it not true that
in elective offices throughout the country
men are elected for a term Of two
years to the office of register Of deeds,
county clerk. or county treasurer, where
1t is lust as important that a man
render accurate service to the people as
In the public service here in Washing
ton? There they serve for two years.
IF thew have been faithful, they are
elected for two years more, but rarely
for a third time. Why not make a
term of, say, six years, and have able
Young men and women coming in and
rroIr,g out constantly after a six-year
term
tbe question of a civil pension list will
never worry the government. and the
question of having done injustice to an
old empioye who has given q lifetime
~ service to the government win not be
q matter Of consideration here or else
where"
Mr.. Livingston replied that it was
his Judgment that If a man at 2 5 years
If age was put in the service, twenty
years after he was not fit for anything
aI-
Then ensued the following debate
between the two:
Mr.. Campbell-That is to say. if you
keep him here too long. Why not let
him serve six years and then turn him
out while he is able to do something
else2
Mr.. Ifvingston-If he stays here
twenty years. he has become unfit for
anv other eHaplOvment.
Mr.. CamDbell-But If he has STAYED
here six wears he is stiil able to go out
into the world and make a living.
Mr.. Iittauer-He will get the virus
in six years.
Mr.. Campbell-The trouble IS en-
Moves. come here now and snend their
whole salary. knowing that thev have a
life lob with the prospect OF a civil
pension
So the debate went on. Mr.. Camnbell
afnping into # at frequent intervals.
F2ut his nronosition struck MANY mem
bers as being an exceeding good. one.
Teusuerat1res in large Cities
e,tfcago. March 20.--7 g. m. tempers-
lures: Boston. "a; New York. "a, phil
adeIDtia "a, Washil gton, 50; Cfne1n-
o. =