The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

1855-9] SALARIES. 333
carried the measure through Parliament, the machinery
for giving it effect being devised by Messrs. Scudamore
and Chetwynd.
SALARIES.
I have already implied an opinion that, if any of the
officers in the Department are underpaid, it is rather in
the higher walks than the lower. For the lower offices
fit men are to be found in abundance, while for the
higher there is certainly no superfluity. Many of the
higher officers are, indeed, paid more than their
services deserve, but this is due to a previous bad mode
of promotion. On the other hand the talent, zeal,
energy and integrity, with which some of the higher
duties are actually filled, obtain but scanty recompense,
even when every allowance is made for certainty, early
income, and claim to pension, in comparison with the
emoluments obtained by equal qualifications in the com-
mercial or manufacturing world, so that there is a
danger, and something more than a danger, of good
men being allured from the service by offers or prospects
based on the powers and qualities they have
therein demonstrated. With this feeling I induced the
Postmaster-General to apply to the Treasury early in
1859 for a moderate increase of salary to the Assistant
Secretaries, and some few others who had distinguished
' '
At the same time there is so much of promise in the plan on the face of it,
that we are unwilling to let it drop without a most careful examination.
" If you are likely to be in London, or were disposed to come hither, personal
communication on details might be of advantage. Sir A. Spearman would be
most ready to see you for the purpose of entering into them fully, and I should be
very desirous myself to give any aid in my power at the proper time.
" I remain, Dear Sir, yours very faithfully,
"W. E. GLADSTONE.
" C. W. SIKES, Esq." En.