The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-04
REFORM.


said that we have detected abuses in practice,
and intended to expose them; our purpose is
merely to attract attention to laws, which are
plainly unjust, because unequal in their opera
ton, or which must almost inevitably lead to
abuses. Nor can we promise to dissect all such
laws, and expose their deficiencies. We shall
endeavor to hold up to view the defects of some
few of them, with the hope, however faint, that
when the work Of thorough reform is once be-
gun, the zeal and energy of the Legislature,
with the opportunities Of acquiring knowledge
possessed by it, may perfect the work.
We did not intend at first to devote line to
the Departments in Washington. But as the
abuses said to exist in them have been the stand
ing object of Congressional reform and the ne
ver-failing topic of Congressional oratory-we
have, on subsequent reflection, resolved to sug-
gest the plan Of reformation in them, which we
think necessary What we deem the erroneous
course pursued in all the attempts at reform, ha-
wing been exhibited in relation to these Depart
ments, we think that what, in our opinion, is
the right method, will be more clearly compre-
hended by its application to the same objects
We shall include, however, the Capitol in ex-
animation, and show, as we promised, that the
members of the Legislature can find as much
room for salutary change within the enclosure
of their own halls, as in the buildings more in
mediately under the supervision of the Execu-
tive officers. ar@.# b..
Some years since, an honorable gentleman
appended to the bill for the reorganization ofthe
Land Office, section requiring-by its intent,
at least, if not by its words-the clerks in the
Departments to work ten hours, one half of the
year, and eight hours the other half, and allow
ing them two holydays in the year, Christmas
and the 18th of July. We shall say nothing of
the motives which, In all probability, gave birth
to this enactment: we shall say nothing of its
folly or the impossibility of its execution. We
shall not ask, why some similar provision was
not framed for the special purpose of compelling
members Of Congress to attend to their duties.
We only ask, why it did not include the clerks,
at the Capitol, as well as the clerks in the De-
partments2 They all hold position somewhat
analogous; and it was manifestly unjust to
comprehend one class of clerks in its provisions
and exclude another. Or Is it pretended that a
difference exists in the characters of clerks at
the Capitol and clerks in the Departments !?
and that the members Of Congress are overcharg-
ed with an electric purity Of worth, which is
communicated to all, who are blessed with the
privilege of coming in contact with ,hem-and
therefore more reliance is to be placed on a man
who holds an Office in the Capitol, than on one
who is an humble drudge in the Executive
offices2 We have perhaps expended too many
words on this preposterous law, and we bid it
farewell. ,....
As preliminary to the suggestions we intend
to make on reform among the public officers at
Washington, and to demonstrate that the inves-
legations should begin in the Capitol and only
terminate in the Depa,tments-we ask how it
has happened, that amid all the fury of reform,
the Door-keeper to the House of Representa-
tives-besides what is technically, we believe,
called the chances-receives 81 500 per annum
salary, while the Messengers in the Depart
ments, who hold similar situation, and from
whom, in fact, more mind and intelligence are
required, receive but six or seven hundred, with
out any of the chances aohatever. Upon what
principle Of equity IS the law framed, which
gives not only to this officer of Congress, and
to the Postmaster of the House, and to all its
copying Clerks, the same compensation OF
81 500 year, while the Messengers, and the
copying Clerks of the Departments are, in ge-
neral, considered by the members of Congress
as too amply remunerated by the paltry sum Of
six and eight hundred dollars--and are almost
condemned by them as peculators on the public
Treasury if they enjoy for their labors an in
come of a thousand. BY what rule of justice
do the copying Clerks of tie Capitol receive
81 500 year, while men in the Departments,
who, employed in duties requiring both intellect
and knowledge, are thought to be too highly re.
munerated by a salary of twelve or fourteen hun
dred. But few of the principal Clerks get
81 ,6oo-while the pay OF the rest ranges from
$1,000 to 81, 400. In the Capitol, however, no
matter, it seems, what may be the amount of
mind to be exerted-whether little or great
even if but puerile manual skill is required,
the Clerk in the immediate employ Of the men,
bers of Congress is enriched with $1,000 per
annum. ...
We do not pretend to suggest any scale OF
remuneration--we do not assert, that the gentle
men in the Capitol are extravagantly compen-
sated--of what ought to be paid to the public
officers we do not presume to judge-but we
say, that if fifteen hundred dollars are not too
much for Messenger in the Capitol, it cannot
be an extravagant salary for Messenger in the
Departments. We also say, that if fifteen hun
dred dollars be not an extravagant compensation
for copying Clerk in the Capitol, it cannot be
an enormous remuneration for copying Clerk
in the Departments-nor is such salary half Of
what is due to the intelligence and labors of \
Clerk,-no matter where employed--from whom
talent Of higher order is required.
/ We think that we have in the few preceding