The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1841-12-16
REFORM.

hEfO hN.
We have given the outlines of plan for the
reform which seems TO be required in the De
partments in this city, and have furnished all
the suggestions we deem proper TO make at pre-
sent at least in relation to them. Without leav-
ing Washington or even the Capitol, we have
reason to believe that but slight investigation
would supply us with materials Tor long series
OF articles, were exposition OF minute de-
tails in consonance with our design. Though
reform in the abuses moore Immediately
under the supervision of the members OF Con-
gress is with reason thought hopeless, we
venture to suggest lothem one change in their
power-and we suggest il with confidence, be-
cause the interest Of no one about the Capitol
will in any manner be affected by it. Having ad-
vocated reform in the mode of appointing and
paying the clerks in the Departments, tisnomore
than Just that we should advocate such change
in the legislation of Congress as will be favora
BILE TO their interests as well as beneficial TO eve
ry branch of the public service.
The prominent business of the National Lee
gislature except on some rare occaslons--is the
examination of the fnances-the investigation
of the probable receipts into the Treasury, and
the propriety Of the appropriations recommend
ed by the Executive The appropriations are
made from year to year-the fiscal year begin
ming at the same time with the civil year, on the
first Of January. Congress meets in the begin
ming Of December, but scarcely ever is the
smallest embryo Of business discernable until
~ Jla of lam So
ries are necessary 10 the passage Of bill. and
so much discussion is ordinarily expended on
each one Of them, that frequently July wit
nesses speech on the propriety OF appropria-
ting money, which was actually due the prece-
ding January There may be millions in the
Treasury, but cent cannot be paid because the
law authorizing the payment has not passed
We are now in the middle of December and
the committees have been just appointed, and
thirty DAYS are allowed the Committee of Ways
and Means to mature and report the appropra
ton bills Imagine what energy and unanimity
YOU please in the members of both Houses,
these bills cannot be discussed aud passed by
the first Of February; and yet, on that day,
months salary will be due TO each clerk in
Washington. But none of them will be paid
either that day or for several months 10 come,
because the law authorizing the payment will not
be passed We said that none will receive their
salaries on the 1st of February. Our assertion is
too sweeping. The clerks and other offcersin the
Capitol will be paid-because the members
of Congress among the first acts usually
proyide for themselves, and those in their imme
date service. But the clerks are not the only
sufferers The aged pensoner, who, wounded
in the cause of his country, has deserved the
gratitude of his country, cannot obtain the pit
.tance which Is probably all that stands between
him and utter observation-disclosures the appro-
priation has not passed The hardy seaman
lust returned from three years cruise cannot
20 to the bosom Of his family with the few dol
lars his long services have earned-because the
appropriation bill ha, not passed. The mem
bers of Congress and the officers Of the Capitol
alone can exut in plenty, because their appro-
priation bill has passed
According to the present system, il is impos-
sible that all these important bills can be enact
ed in time to meet the just demands of the va
rious claimants on the Government. Congress
assembling in December, cannot mature them
BY the first Of February. The remedy, howev-
err. for the evil is obvious and easy. Let the
commencement of the fiscal year be changed,
and the appropriations, instead OF being made
for the year beginning on the first OF January,
I be made for fiscal year commencing on the
first OF July This we believe is the practice
for the Post Office establishment, and should be
extended to every other branch of the Govern
ment BY merely making this simple change,
eyery inconvenience now existing will be
avoided and no new one incurred. Ii the present
Congress, besides providing for the first SIX
months Of the coming year, shall appropriate
for the expenses of the Government for the II
months beginning the first Of next July, the plan
will be originated, and can be carried out here
after, without difficulty We are not tenacious
about the particular day of commencing the s-
cal ear but we have fixed on the one mention
ed, because experience shows that the passage
of the appropriation bills has often been delayed
until July; and if the beginning of the fiscal year
be placed at an earlier period, the same nconve-
niences will be felt though not to the same ex-
tent as at present. Regarding the interests of
the pensioners alone, we think the reform wor-.
thy the attention Of Congress.
We have received No. li0, l4l and l42 of Harpers'
! Family Library. No l40 contains the 3" Llves OF
the Ancient Philosophers" from the French of Fcne.
lon, with notes, &c
! No l4i and l42 give complete history oithe tx
petition to Russia, undertaken by the Emperor Napo
leon in the year 1912, by General Count Philip de
Segur."
| Theae nro,nctinns need no encomiums from us