ALS signed “J. A. Garfield,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.75, February 22, 1874. Letter to L. S. Abbott, a clerk in the Treasury department, about government spending and workers' pay. In full: "Your note of the 20th inst. enclosing your article in the Republican came duly to hand. The article is able, fair and manly—and I sympathize with almost every line of it—I know how hard the struggle is for a man with a family to get along here in Washington with the salary now allowed to clerks—I have resisted, and shall resist all attempts at cutting down the notes. And it is peculiarly unpleasant to me that I must be made the leader of the movement to reduce the number of the clerks in the several Departments. But some reduction is imperatively necessary and it falls to my lot to propose it. The fact is, my friend, that I have had no help, to amount to anything from any head of a Department or of a Bureau. Those who know how to do it will not; and I must do it who don't very well know how. I have no doubt that in many cases I have not made the reduction in the places where it ought to be made, and have reduced where it ought not to be reduced. I shall be glad to rectify any errors & right any wrongs. But that a reduction ought to be made I have no doubt. How long do you think it would take for the Treasury force—for example to decrease 10/0 by stopping appointments? I would greatly prefer that method, if it would be reasonably effective. I am sure, you who know me, will not think me willing to oppress or distress those whom I have always sympathized with and sometimes defended. I shall be glad to receive any suggestions you may be willing to make." In fine condition, with intersecting folds.
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