Year: 1874

WHOLESALE DISCHARGE OF EMPLOYEES.


On Saturday last, after Office hours, envelopes
were cent to upwards of three hundred employees
of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing of the
Treasury department, with contents notifying
them that after the 1st proximO their services
would be no longer required, and until that
date they might consider themselves under a
furlougn. This course became necessary for
two reasons: First, from the fact that last sum.
mer Commissioner Douglass, because a New
York bank note company had submitted a
schedule of prices for printing internal revenue
stamps which were lower than the cost at which
the same Work could be done at the Treasury
department, recommended the transfer of the
work TO them, on account of which a contract
was entered into with the company, which con-
uact goes into effect on the 1sT of January.


Secondly. An additional disch arge became
necessary on account of the failure OF Congress
TO make certain appropriations which were
asked for, which failure not only necessitated
the dismissal OF many OF the female employees
but as well many of the males employed in
the plate printing department. OF course no
TO the close OF office hours on Saturday the un-
fortunate ones had no notification of dismissal
These, however, were received upon their ar
rival at their homes. Sunday being a dav on
which ms doors are opened at the Treasury
the unlucky ones had to nurse their grief,
through the day as best they could.


This morning the Office OF the chief of the
Bureau OF Engraving and Printing was earn
tstly and vigorously besieged by number Of
the discharged female employees. They were
unfortunate to degree that was distressing To
the messengers who were obliged under their
instructions TO refuse them admittance into the
sanctum of the chief, Notwithstanding the fact
that many told stories OF suffering that were
really touching. One Ofthem, q we'll preserved
matrOn, told how needful her salary was TO
her and her children. The messenger said;
Madam, am sorry that cannot listen to Won
but really must attend to the wants of tina
others, who are here"


"Oh, sir - said she (turning TO a representa-
i've OF lHB STAR; who was waiting TO see the
chief): Cant you do something Tor me, | am
woman; you are man and can talk to thai
dOorkeeper better than / can. on! If Won knew
my troubles; how my two little ones suffered
wien L was out of this situation, aud how |
had to deprive them of little Injuries they so
enjoyed when L was in You would not re-
fuse 10 try to get me in. Ask him, sir for
Gods sake, to let me in. 1t is bread and life
tor me!'


Another one-a young woman-held her
breath almost with anxiety when she asked the
messenger to let her In; and when she, like most
OF the rest, was refused entrance, she took from
her pocket letter and asked the map to read
1t. He replied, with kindness: sfMy dear rnss
cannot 90 so; L haven't the time" Then the
young lady read it aloud to the bystanders and
1t conveyed a story of suffering and priyatiop
that sbamed the hearts OF our legislators She
had TO support her mother and two orphan chill
dren or her sister. All save her were helpless,
ana Win the 500 per month she had received,
and the hard work she had performed after the
days labor at the Treasury, she had kept them
comfortably. But how could she save much
with the load che had upon her? She had bur
little left, and soon it would all be gone. Her
soul was brave and willing, but there was no
work upon which 10 feed It's willingness an q it,
courage. She was broken in spirit, and Gravel
pitifully the aid of all about her. She was soon
atterE ards made glad by the successful efforts
Of Virginia Congressman wto appeared WITH
her card of restoration in has hand, and she
went on with glad heart, and was followed by
the sympathy OF all who heard her story.