Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-22

RIGS with eebt clerks cacl chief clerk on the footing
of chief clerks in the other Departments twelve clerks
for other miscellaneous duties, including the
service agent to supernlcnd the PosOhlce build
ing and property and attend to purchases OF stationary,
furniture, &c. Il messenger, an assistant messenger,
laburer. and two waichnen; would constitute force
with which the ministerial duties of the Department
could be performed with comfort, prompude, and elf
Thc Auditors office would be the most extensive
and laborious accounting office in the Government,
mcrting corresponding provision IN clerks and salaries
Like other auditors he should have chief clerk for
general duties The examination OF postmastcr5 &C.
counts, amounting TO about $4,000 annually, sending out
crrors and other attendant services constitute severe
duty and requires eighteen clerks The registration OF
posirnastcrs accounts after examination and keeping
the leGcrs of the Department. requires gt clerks 10
keep the pay books that postmastcrs pay over their
balances and return the pts and prepare contractors
accounts settlement, requires nine clerks. lie col
cct balances from former posmastes and others make
cut statements the accounts and superend suits and
prosecutions, requires at present seven clerks over
each cse considerable branches OF duty there must
be- as a, present. principal clerk for whom liberal pro-
vision should be made 1t is but just to the gentlemen
employed in this arduous portion OF the public service,
to say, that their compensation, IN general, compared
with that given in other Departments of the Govern
men, has hitherto been disproportioned the labor
quircd Of them and 10 married men, inadequate to the
support of their families, and the education of their
children To COM lete the organization OF that ohce
there must be also messenger and assistant mes
scngcr.
The proposed reorganization would somewhat reduce
the number of persons employed in the business of the
Post Office by rendering useless the clerks now occu-
pied in making out the Postmaster Generals accounts
for the Treasury also the clerks employed in cxami
ming them in the Fifth Auditor Office, if not also those
in the Comprollcrs office, asst gned to the same duty
The utility ofrequiring all The Post Office accounts to
he reported 10 tho Comptroller, is not perceived 1t
would perhaps promote the ends of justice and operate
salulary check upon the Auditor, if all appeal were
allowed 10 tho Comptroller, at the instance of the claim
ant Postmaster General should either in any case be
dissatisfied with his decision
If the business of the Post Office Department were
thus organized might he required of the Postmaster
General 10 furnish to Congress- annually specific es
mates: setting forth the expected be required
under each head of general account appearing OIL
the books and any others that Congress might require
to be opened and after obtaining appropriation Of
the aggregate for the support Of the Post Office eslab
lishmcnt exceed the current revenue to render
an cunt at the session. Of the amount expended
for each purpose specified in his estimates 1t would be
further improvement if all allowances prohibit
ed other than for services rendered in pursuance Of
prcexisting law, contract lawful regulation, and
small contingent appropriation were assigned TO the
Postmaster General, like those made 70 the service
the other Departments to meet necessary expenditures