Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-07-04

At"SiS-SS SSitcJutiy operating cause, WHICH
may be supposed to have constant, though not
exactly regular iniluen Q, can onl, be the one be-
tore referred to viz that the tension OF the public
service will be attended with an enlargement of the
expenditure, s among the rest, with an increase
oil the contingent, expenses Of the Executive De-
partments Should it, then. appear TO be correct
Gas staed) that the public service authorized by
law occasioned an average expenditure, in 1892,
3, 4, OF 10000; and that, IN the years 1925,
D, 4, II occasioned an average expenditure Of
,0So; anu that the average OF the contin-
gent expenses in the former period was 500 ,793,
and Ia tile latter period was $I7, 45i, (Which state
| ments, though not particularly examined, are pro-
badly correctly then it will follow that the total
penditure has been increased by an addition oil
one fourth, and the contingent expenses by AN adj
dition OF only one-sixth, rather less than one
sixth. III they had gone on at the same rate the
general expenditure, they would have averaged
So3,49l This comparison. therefore, it it estab-
iish any thing, establishes that there has been an
improved economy in the Executive Departments
/ OF the Government.
| IL is admitted not TO be an absolutely conclusive
| test, but 1t is an approximate or. probable test,
which may be resortcd to for want OF a more Ger
tain one; and th- minority are oil opinion that the
result Is satisfactory, showing relatively dinn-
ished expense, quite equal TO what could have been
reasonably expected, and sufficient allay appre-
hcnsion.
Having made these general remarks, the mino-
rity OF the Committee will proceed state the
suits OF the examination Of the several Depart
meuts, referring only 10 such things they have
understood to be objected TO OF questioned, and a
vailihg themselves OF refe ence to the papers and
1 accounts before the Committee. They think il
right, however. first, say. that they did not sup.
pose, nor have the Committee experienced, any
backwarkness OH the part Of the officers OF ihe
government to communicate information Every
inquiry has been fully and promptly answered; and
IL there be any point upon which explanation
would have been useful acceptable, they nave
no doubt that, if applied for, il would have been
readily furnished. 1t l. undoub edly true that the
Heads OF Departments, aud OF subordinate branch
es oil departments, have, IL general, answered
that they have no more clerks other persons en-
pioyed than the efficiency of the service requires;
and considering how recently and deliberately
they have been established upon their present
scale by Congress, the minority of the Committee
did not expect any other answer. So far as i, il
matter oil opinion, there is no doubt it is sincere,
ai'i founded upon experience, and The same ,iia.
would have bean given under any other circum-
stances, even such as il is intmated would be more
favorable TO harmonious cooperation. ~ tho sen-
erai correctness Of that opinion, the minority
disposed to concur; not only because it is the opinion
OF those who have had instruction from cxpericn nee
out iiso because II corresponds with their own
impressions. Congress has neve been proiuse IL.
the number OF clerks, nor in the allowances made
20 them. lhey have barely had enough TO subsist
them while they lived, and some of them, il is
known, have not left enough TO bury them VIII II
they died. Besides extra clerk, are occasionally
employed In all the Offices, aud have long been
So without mourning any disapproba ion, which
is oil itseii sufficient evidence that the clerks per-
nianeniiy employed not equal to more than the
ordinary business of the office That practice (of
extra clerk hire) the minority OF the Committee
would not be understood 10 condemn or disapprove.
On he contrary, they believe it to be conducive
TO economy Upon the same principle that far
mer employs additional hands in harves, time, or
al ally other season when work presses, il is right
In the departments to engage occasional assistance
when, from calls made by Congress, or other ur
gent cause, the regular clerks cannot do what is
required, with the speed that is necessary, OF
plan would be followed by this result: either some
portion OF the business must be neglected, or the
establishment of clerks must b. raised up to the
maximum which, at any particular time, might be
required TO do it.