The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-07

compen ,ation allowed to the clerks in the CAPT
tol and that allowed to clerks of the same grade
IN the Departments. In inspecting the blue
unjust inequality established by law in the sala-
ries Of clerks from whom similar duties are re-
quired in the same Department. One cores
ponding clerk receives $1,000 per annum, an
other Sl400, and another only $1,000. One ac-
counting clerk enjoys salary OF Sl40o another
of $3.50, a third only $1,000. The pay of one
copying clerk is $1,000, of another $1,000, and of
a third $780, We find that the compensation
of a craftsman in one Office is $1,000, in another
$500, in another $1,000, and in fourth but
$1,000. Why this dscrepance in the compen-
sation Of men from whom the same degree Of
mind and knowledge, the same amount Of in
tellectual and physical labor are required An
attempt TO trace the origin of the present ira
tional graduation Of salaries would be useless,
even if successful issue Of the investigation
could be thought possible. The existence Of
the EVIL is palpable and il becomes the duty Of
the Legislature to correct it. The correction, it
is evident can be effected only by thorough
change Of the whole system.
Ignorant as we must necessarily be of the de-
tails Of business, it cannot be expected that we
can suggest scheme, approaching anything
like completeness as substitute for the present
imperfect and negotiable system We have
promised merely slight hints on the subject of
reform-and in the case Of the public offices, we
cannot pretend TO furnish more than dim out
line, which we leave to others possessing better
opportunities of acquiring information TO fill up.
On slight investigation, we are of opinion
that the clerks in the Departments may be d.
vded into three classes, according to the duties
they are required to perform. In the highest
class we place the corresponding clerks, and 10
them we would allow the highest salary. To
perform the duties of correspondence, men
should be selected, possessing both talent and
education, and capable ofclothing their thoughts
readily in neat and polished language. The
accounting practsed in the Departments being
such as requires only plain sense, knowledge
of the most elementary rules of arithmetic,
with proper share Of patience in vending
through long additions demands mind of an in
ferior order to that wanted for correspondence
To the accounting clerks, therefore, we would
assign the second place, with lower salary
Recording and copying being merely mocha
nical operation, and requiring only that the
clerk should know how TO spell his own Ian
guage and write a neat, legible hand-we have
placed in the lowest rank, and to this class of
clerks we would assign the lowest salary.
From the knowledge we have been able to
obtain of the nature of the business transacted
in the Departments, these three classes will COM
prehend all the clerks, and will form correct
scale by which their salaries may be graduated.
That law arranging these public officers ac-
cordlng to the system proposed would be more
equitable than the one at present in force, is at
once indsputable. That its provisions could be
of such character as to promote economy, we
could easily demonstrate. did we propose 10 de-
scend 10 details. That il will enforce the trans
action of the public business more correctly and
more promptly, we have no doubt For it will
do away what we understand to be in nearly all
cases sinecure, and in some instances an OBJ
structlon to busness-the chief clerkshp II |
would not have man at salary Of $4,000
year, with no other duty than TO convey orders
from the Head Of Department TO his subordi-
mates. The Secretary deriving his knowledge
Of any portion of the details of business directly
from the clerk whose duty it is to furnish it, in
stead Of transmission through the chief clerk,
will obtain il with more accuracy and prompt
ness. Being brought into immediate communi-
cation with all his inferior agents, he will be en-
abed TO become acquainted with the capacity
and value Of each one Ascertaining inlividu-
ally, from personal observation, the amount of
duty imposed on each one, he will be furnished
the means Of judging Of the necessity of en-
ploying extra clerks. We have heard the asser-
ton made, that extra clerks have been frequently
quired, but because cierkships were wanted
BY this salutary change we have proposed in
the mode of intercourse between the Head Of a
Department and his clerks, the undercurrent
Of sycophantic influence will be stopped and the
nepotsm, which is sometimes hurtful TO the pub
lie departments, may be banishcd.
We do not indeed presume TO aver that these
evils will positively be cured; but at all events
the Heads of Departments will be held respon-
sble for their own acts only, and not be suspect
ed Of tolerating and connvihg at proceedings
Of which, most probably, they are kept in utter
ignorance.
Columbia Rire.- The Bangor Wing publishes
the following extract from letter received by friend
dated Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, May 6, lS4l
"Our latest dates from the u s are May ~, 1871,
giving account Of the death of Gen Harrson.-
We have also received Tyler's address. Our dates
from China up to the ooh MAY. AL The L. S.