The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-10


The writer of the following article speaks bU
book, as well as Of books, for few who were hi,
contemporaries in Congress exhibited more IN
dustrious ingenuity in ransacking the archives
Of the Department:
THE BOOKS AT WASHINGTON.
We see it stated in the public prints that cti-
zens OF Washington are volunteering night
watch TO protect the public buildings from being
burnt down prior 10 the 4th OF March next and
that the public records, and books OF Govern
ment, may come into the hands of the new add
ministration in the actual shape and condition
in which they have been kept by the present ad-
ministraiion. This may prove TO be necessary
and patriotic purpose.
We trust however, that when the new heads
of Departments shall first come in their places
under Harrison, they will prove themselves TO
be men of sufficient practical habits and indus
try, and system, 10 have regular account If
stock taken TO the utmost extent practicable
that they will have distinctly drawn lines of de-
marcaton made in every book of record, and in
the accounts of every officer of Government, to
show precisely hop and ,ohere commenced The
reforming administration of I'm. H. Harrl-
son--that they will begin new files of papers
throughout, with the distinguishing and admoni-
tory label Of MARCH 4, 1871, upon each so
that he who runs may read and understand, too,
what II means
For ourselves. we do not believe that there
were more than a. rery felo branches of the Go
vernment work committed TO the Executive
Departments at Washington that are done up
and executed in the appropriate, connected, sys-
tematc, and workman-like manner contemplated
by Congress and by the people, who award such
an enormous amount of salaries TO officers for
this work There Is show enough, but NOT sub
stantial labor and order, in the public offices at
Washington. There may be theory enough
but practice is wanting. There Is profession
enough, but no sincerity--form enough but not
application. Mark one instance in Illustration
Two three years since Congress saw there
necessity OF having more work done BY
the heads of bureaus and clerks of the several
Departments, and that thereby fewer number
would be requisite and less expense be incurred.
They accordingly enacted law requiring the
offices TO be kept open from the usual morning
hour until specified hour in the afternoon and
requiring the work of Government 10 be accord
ingly going on. Well the offices have been
kept open as directed, and yet it is notorious that
not an additional hour Of real labor has been
performed after the old hou of closing up the
day, which here in the North would be called
early in the afternoon, IN consequence of such
requirement. Nor has the service of single
clerk been dispensed with because of this pre-
scribed reform
Again-n illustration of the ridiculous show,
sury Solicitors Office may be referred TO- Let
one examine these, and he will see immense
volumes, extensively and tastefully bound and
designed as dockets for actions commenced and
reported by District Attorneys, &c. Open these
immense volumes, equal to six or ten superficial
square feet, and he will see costly printing aud
ruling Of the same into columns and squares
with space enough allotted to each action dock
eted TO copy ten times over the whole contents
OF the Bible relating to the origin and creation Of
the world and all things therein and for all the
uses OF which immense volumes practical and
really business man would scarcely require an
equal number of memoranda books such a. he
could store by the dozen in his coat,ail pocket.
We believe il is to the late Solicitor Gilpin. now
Attorney General, that the public are indebted
for this introduction OF shomy nothingness in
that department. But il is only in keeping with
much else that is TO be found in very many Of
the other Departments and bureaus Of the Gov
eminent al Washington.
What is wanted and what we hope to sec, is
RrFoRM-substantial REFORM carried into and
through all those now lounging holes Of Gov
eminent officers. And 10 ensure this, we want
TO see practical, experienced, business mcn--men
Of mercantile habits and capacities, in therlaces
where the duties Of accountants are involved
digent and systematic copyists, where the work
is mere matter oil recording and not deducng
sults-able and talented jurists in places where
the administration Of magisterial authority
devolved-that such blunders, oversights, and
culpable neglect Of duty and incapacity for dots,
as were discovered by the Investigating Com
m,tee of the last Congress may not again be
encountered, and the consequent losses OF public
money be incurred, in departments like that Of
the Secretary OF the Treasury, of Solicitor OF the
Treasury, lst Comptroller 1st Treasury Audt-
tor, &C, &c. Besides being waste of the pub
lie money, and a direct encouragement 10 dctal.
cations, such defective and feeble administration
Of official duties is disgtaceful to the country.
We pray ftrvently for searching Reform IN all
these particulars, and in all the ways that mrn
Of ability, vigilance and method, will devise
Eastern Argus-Rerircd