The Washington times., 1907-02-20
MARRIED CLERKS
SEEK PREFERENCE
Would Have Their Paw
Raised Before the
Rest.
every Man for Himself, +"
Complains a Core
Spondent.
Charity Scheme, as If 'In-
mates Were in De-
partmentS.

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
incidental 10 ali this noise about the
increase OF salaries, one is led to the
observation that human nature. as
usual asserts itself and stalks forth
clad in yariegated raiments, 10 which
cling disdguring JatJers of s0rdid self
lshness and visible remnants OF the pri-
meval instinct-"eyery man for himself.
and the devil take the hindm0st-
OF the former. Congress has furnished
us With a beautiful and weII-defined ex-
ample, and has made evident that we
have yet TO reach the millennium OF Der-
feet justice. As a variety Of the latter,
we have IN mind those who would have
the married ones and those supporting
families promoted forthwith. without
examinations and. il may be assumed,
regardless Of any qualities which may
be lacking in the candidates. However
well may be appreciated the needs and
desires Of these incumbered ones, such
plan OF promotion would be 70 place
a premium on poverty and transfer the
Government departments TO the list Of
public charitable institutions.
Jobs for Inmates.
Pursuing this line of speculation stiu
further, would IL seem frivolous 10 as
sumo that. under such circumstances. the
Government might consider. for eco.
nonic purposes. a readJustment Of its
public charges, whereby some Of the in
mates of its charitable institutions
might be transferred 10 the de9art-
ments2 This would naturally lead 70
the question as 10 whether the depart-
ments were created for the purpose. Of
carrying on Government business or
merely Tor me beuenI OF those who
need the work. This recalls To mind
the fact that under the system in vogue
a few years ago one easily could have
been led 10 the conclusion that the de-
partmeEts were maintained especially
for the benefit Of the spoilers.
But 70 return 10 the subject. II the
married ones are 10 receive the IA
vors- how in the name OF consistent
philanthropy can be overlooked the wise
young man who is refraining from con-
nubiaI bliss only because ne has not
yet been able 10 accumulate the re-
quired competence nor reach an income
whereby Inc is warranted in gathering
% his bosom that vision Of loneliness.
his hearts desire, and uniting by in
seyerable bonds those two hearts that
beat as one2 No, the valuation OF a
clerk should not be appraised on a basis
OF his previous. present. OF expected
condition OF ScrvitLde. but rather ON the
stuh he has To- show for the money
Neither should length Of service be al
lowed 20 govern promotions. except in
50 far as increased experrness or ac-
cumulated knowledge may prove a val
liable asset
Pay Too Small.
That Government clerks as a class do
not receive an adequate return for what
Is expected Of them is a Iuregone con-
clUsiOn. That In certain instances too
much Is paid for the services rendered
cannot be denied That promotions
should take place only at the
diction OF merit, regardless Of the
length of time served. IS incontro-
yertible. That remuneration should al
ways be adequate to the value of the
services rendered, and properly adjust
ed within defined limits. and having
eyer in view the purchasing power OF
money, is only Justice That both the
minimum and maximum limits should
be raised is the general consensus of
opinion. refuted only by the narrow
minded.
Clerks and legislators alike should
view the mater with minds free from
selI-centerinE motives and open TO the
light Of justice. The former should en-
ter complaint only when they are receiv-
ing less than they would be wilkins, 10
pay another in return for the same ser
vices. Neither should they expect more
than they, in the brOadeSt sense are
actually worth. The latter certainly
should not use their position and power
70 Cypress those lower down, nor view
the situation through a veu of narrow
mindedness.
In view of the fact that human nature
is. and undoubtedly always will be.
''the same old girl IL is probably too
much 10 expect that either will ever be
come reconciled to a proper sense Of the
fitness Of things. But, let us hope.
Washington, d. c.. February Is l917.