Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

The Rules of Conduct for Federal Employees by Amos Kendall, Postmaster General of the United States, 1829.

I.   Every clerk will be in his room, ready to commence business, at nine o'clock A.M., and will apply himself with diligence to the public service until three o'clock P.M.

II.   Every clerk will hold himself in readiness to discharge any duty which may be required of him in office hours or out, and in no case where by laboring a short time after office hours an account can be closed or a citizen released from attendance at this city, must he refrain from continuing his labors after three o'clock.

III. Newspapers or books must not be read in the office unless connected
directly With the business in hand, nor must conversation be held with visitors or loungers except upon business which they may have with the office.

IV.  Gambling, drunkenness, and irregular and immoral habits will subject any clerk to instant removal.

V.   The acceptance of any present or gratuity by any clerk from any person who has business with the office, or suffering such acceptance by any member of his family, will subject any clerk to instant removal.

VI.  The disclosure to any person out of the office of any investigation going on, or any facts ascertained in the office, affecting the reputation of any citizen, is strictly prohibited without leave of the Auditor.

VII. No person will be employed as a clerk in this office who is engaged in other business. Except the attention which the families of clerks require, it is expected that all their time, thoughts, and energies will be devoted to the public service.

VIII. Strict economy will be required in the use of the public stationery or other property. No clerk will take paper, quills, or anything else belonging to the government from the office for the use of himself, family, or friends.