Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-04-06
OLD CLERKS REDUCED.
BLOW ABOUT TO FALL UPON
VETEREN MEN OF THE coy
ERMENT DEPARTMENTS.

Congress Preparing to Cutl Salaries
and Discharge Older Employees
Who Have Spent Best Years of
Life in Serving Uncle Sand
The blow, which the older govern.
ment clerks at Washington have for
sometime feared, Is about to fall, and
If the House Of Representatives follows
its apparent intention, the clerks of
65 years old and over, will have their
pay cut from rs to so percent.
The investigation carried on by the
Appropriation Committee, shows that
over $2,000,000 is annually paid to
clerks over 65 years of age, and that
If the plan proposed Is carried out, over
rs percent a these will be reduced.
This will mean that many faithful en-
ployees of the government, who have
grown old in the service of their coun-
try, will suddenly find their incomes
cut nearly in half.
1t is often stated that the average
government job is an easy one, with
short hours and good pay, so that there
is something of a Discrimination
throughout the country to feel or ex-
press much sympathy for the govern
ment clerk. who is reduced, or per.
chance, dismissed for any reason. AS Z
matter of fact, however, these posi-
lions in Washington, are most trying
and improbable (unless we except a
few cases, in which the work is. tech.
nical, with the possibility Of leading
to better things outside in the COM
mercial world), and after few years
of service, leave the incumbent with
out the capability of making his way
in business, if suddenly thrown upon
his own resources.
Most of the government bureaus are
large Offices, where a clerk may be en-
gagged for years In a single line Of
work, his knowledge and experience,
although narrow and circumscribed,
thus becoming valuable to the govern
ment. In the meantime, his salary has
been barely commensurate with his liv-
ing expenses, and although some Of the
government employees with thrifty
wives may have been able to buy a
modest home, the proportion Of these
is not large.
Then, after twenty years of confning
and uninspiring labor, comes his dis
charge, and he finds himself complete
ly out of touch with all former bust
ness knowledge and relations, unable
to earn as much in a new line of life
as could his recently graduated son.
This would mean that the man who has
entered government service in middle
life, and through meritorious effort and
faithful endeavor has worked up to a
salary of $1,000 or $500, would in his
ripe years and experience, be thrown
out on the world, like an old horse, who
has served his master faithfully but
has lost the vigorous step and stylish
action of a younger animal. Had this
man been connected with q big com
mercial house for those twenty years
his business associates would delight
to honor him with the increased salary
due to his experience and wisdom
which had done so much toward build
ing up the structure Of their worldly
| interests.
The sentiment has been freely ex
pressed upon the floor of the House
however, that it is not Believed that q
majority of its members will favor any
drastic measure Of cutting down thu
income of faithful clerks. One plan dis
cussed by the House Committee, EN-
braces provision that when any EN-
ployee shall have reached the age of n
years, heshall be immediately dismissed
While $1,000 might appeartobea rea
sonable living in the smaller towns, II
Washington, where expenses are 81
heavy, it is a small sum for man o
family. Old and honored government
employees, from the administration O
Washington down, have resigned o
died in the nations service, but Cor
gress in its wisdom, in these days of ur
wonted national prosperity, seems t
be pursuing extraordinary methods t
increase the efficiency Of the servic
and to reduce the federal expenditures
Anent the subject, the Washington
Post says: What kind and benefi
cent government it would be tina
would cut a faithful servant, who ha,
served it for years, and who is as eff
cient a clerk now as he was ten year
ago, because he has reached the age o
sixty-fve! What an inducement t,
faithful service! What a splendid ex
ample Of the "merit system" Blu
it probably serves man right TO
reaching the age of sixty-fve, and be
ing still vigorous and faithful and capa
BILE in the public service.
The Speaker Of the House, the honor
able Joseph G Cannon, who will b.
seventy years old on the 7th o.
May next. should see to it that hi.
friends on the Appropriation Com
mittee take back track on this Osler
itish proposition. If the provision
should not be stricken out in the HOUSE
the twenty-six Senators who are ovel
sixty-fve, and the three others whit
will be sixty:five before this year Il
out ought to be able to give it {
quietus in the Senate.