Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-09
uUEARTHS An OLD DOCUMENT
AUDITOR CHANCE CALCULATES
EARLY DAY RULES
Finds Advice of Official in the '4O's
Singularly Appropriate to the
Employees of Today.

For the purpose of inspiring them with
higher ideals of duty and in delicate
way reminding them of rules which sixty
eight years ago were mapped out for the
guidance of the clerks in the office of the
auditor for the Post Office Department,
Auditor Merritt o. Chance has unearthed
from the ancient files of his office and
brought to light an unsigned document
which he has had copied and circulated
among his clerks. and which Is believed to
have been penned by Elisha Whittlesey of
Ohio. one of the founders of the WING
party, who was auditor from March IS,
1S41, to December IS. 1s43 and subse-
quently first controller of the Treasury
for some time following May 81. 1S49.
THE testimony to the intelligence skill
and zeal of the clerks in those days" said
Auditor Chance. may be given the clerks
Of today, and the advice given them is al
most prophetic in its character
The document. which is dated December
%. 1S41. and singularly seems to have an
ticipated the departmental rules Of today,
reads as follows:
1T is a subject of congratulation that
the valuable books and papers belonging
TO this office are now secured from de-
struction by fire, and We shall very soon
be well accommodated as to leave US
no excuse II we should neglect our du-
ties.
II believe the clerks in this office are as
industrious. intelligent and skillful i'm
any department of the government, and
still there are grounds for reform and i'm
provement In some, II not In all The i'm
preston is general that those in the pub
lie offices are indolent. possessing little or
no ambition to excel In the particular
business assigned them to perform. You
will bear me witness there are no Slnecure
Clerkships in this office.
Incentive for ALL
1.-THE situation Of every clerk is respec-
table, and / have not been able to see
why the incentive to establish an elevated
character for fidelity and skill is not as
powerfully presented to clerk as to any
person in another employment. Besides
this, If there was nothing but an APPROX
ing conscience. that would be an ample
recompense for our devotion to the public
service.
During the brief period 1 may be here
/ wish to cooperate with every person
with whom ] am officially connected to
elevate the character of the office
know we can, each of US. win the appro-
bation of the public.
1--WE cannot hope to be entirely free
from censure, but IL we so conduct our
selves as to stand the scrutiny of an in
vestigation our accusers will be few. In
6iustry. fidelity and sterling integrity will
shield us from malevolent and false
fellow-citizens generally, whose agents we
are.
LIT has been said that time is money
When we entered the public service, we
moral point Of view 1 cannot discrimi
nate between an Unnecessary absence from
assigned public duties and an abstraction
of public money by fraud.
Mental and Physical Effect.
"Six hours by practice are allotted to
ONCE business. and perhaps. when close
ly occupied. they are as many as most
constitutions can devote to the desk; but
I hold, that. if particular business presses,
there should be no limit, except for nee
essary refreshment and repose. Our bust
ness will be agreeable to u.s. and prof1ta-
BILE to the public, If we give our minds
to It, as we'll as our physical powers.
Il shall require that each person in this
Office perform six hours of faithful. cheer
full, diligent service each working day,
unless sick or necessarily absent.
Sickness produced by irregular habits
will not be excused Office hours will
commence at o'clock am. and end at
8 o'clock Pm. but the rooms will be open
to be occupied as early, and as late, as
business may require. We demand of,
and receive from. the government, our
fun pay. and We are legally and morally
bound to perform in every particular our
part OF the contract.
II shall ask no more of any one than
/ do myself. There are those here who
have labored most diligently from seven
TO ten hours a day for months in success
sion. The reading of newspapers or
books In Office hours, except when con-
nected with official duty, Is expressly for
hidden. Conversations not official and
all unnecessary interruptions must be dis
couraged.
Strict Economy.
In the use Of stationery we must OBJ
serve strict economy. The just penalty
for dereliction Of official duty is dismiss
sal from Office. and we have no grounds
for complaint If We merit its infliction.
Let Is be our ambition to equal The
most worthy Of our fellow-laborers in
other offices, and to excel them. as far as
we can. A great responsibility rests on
each one: but it is increased in the head
OF the office. and in those at the heads of
the different divisions. under which the
business is arranged. for its more prompt
and regular dispatch.
II have thought proper IN this manner
TO make known to you my views Of our
respective official duties. and as they are
sanctioned by the Secretary of the Treas
ury ] shall aim to practice upon these
precepts, and to see that they are not
disregarded by any individual in this
ONCE.
'Ardently desiring that our labors may
he pleasant to ourselves and profitable to
the public and that our healths remain
unimpaired. ! subscribe myself,
Most sincerely yours, etc.