We do not at all like the Treasury Minute about
the Tele- graph Clerks. Their grievances are, it is true, redressed, they arc granted the same pay as the sorting clerks, their night- work is reduced by an hour, and their overtime is to be calcu- lated as they asked; but the Treasury is angry, almost spiteful,. at being forced to yield, talks of the telegraphists threatening to ,pse their voting-power, and directs that the new scale shall not be granted in any office which shall take part in any agitation,. That is unfair. It is an open question, and a very serious one whether it would nut be good. for the State to disfranchise the Civil Service of the Crown, lest Treasury bribes to them should affect elections; but it is absurd to threaten these poor clerke„, who, till the law is altered, have as much right to " agitate " in any legal way as anybody else. Mr. O'Donnell talked non- sense about the circular being a breach of privilege ; but it is, true that the lower grades of the Civil Service are the Queen's subjects, like others, and entitled to grumble, if they are dis- contented. If a particular office worries the Treasury or the Department too much, dismiss the clerks ; but let thorn talk,. and meet, and write to the 'limos—as, for example, the School- masters do. Are the women to complain, and not the wen,
because the women are not voters ? •
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