American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper., 1845-05-01

REFo oRM OF ABUSES. From the following
circular, addressed by the President Of the u.
States to the Heads of Departments, it would
seem that reform is much needed in Washing
ton The President is right in requiring that
clerks and others shall personally discharge the
duties which they are paid to perorm-and we
are glad that he has also directed the absence
Of clerks to be noted and returned to him. SO
that he may Judge Of their diligence. We sCs-
pect that the hint which he has gwen on the
subject of debts, will produce greater punctu-
ality in their payment hereafter, and perhaps
have the further beneficial effect Of restricting
cxtravagance.
WAsnINGroN, April II, I845.
SIR: In executing the laws there is no duty
which appears to me more imperative than to
take care that officers vino receive the public
money shall promptly and fully perform the
duties for which the law approprlatcs their re-
spective salaries. Justice to the public, and a
proper regard for the clearly expressed will OF
Congress- require that this shall be DONE
Those who come to the seat of Government
on public business should not be unnecessarily
delayed by the negligence or inattention of
heads of bureaus or clerks connected with the
Executive Departments. ! therefore invite
your attention to the thirteenth section of the
act of Congress, approved on the 26th of Au-
gust, lSi2-"Au act legali2ng and making
appropriations for such necessary objects as
have been usually included in the general ap-
preparation bills without authority of law, and
to fix and provide for certain incidental ex-
penses of the departments and officers Of Gov
orl fnr ~ tbor nd e., tbn
twelfth section of the ''Act to reorganize the
General Land Office" approved on the 4th of
July 1886.
desire that you will cause the monthly re-
ports, required by the act of 1912, to be regu-
larly made, and that you will transmit them to
me.
The law contemplates that the distribution
of labor amongst the clerks shall bear fair
proportion to their compensation; and it is un-
Just that the meritOrious and faithful should
have to perform the duties Of snch as may be
found to be negligent, idle or incompetent
TO prevent this injustice, it is essential that
each clerk shall attend regularly in his Office
and discharge his own appropriate duties. 1t
is desired that each head ofa bureau shall cause
to be made a daily statement, showing the alb
sence of each clerk from his duty during Office
hours, the causes of such absence as far as he
may be able to ascertain them, and that this
statement accompany the monthly reports.
also desire that you will accompany the
monthly reports with statement of any COM
plants which may be made TO you Of any clerk
in your office who may have contracted debts
since his Appointment and does not pay them
agreeable to contract Disclaimng any right
to interfere with the private affairs of officers
of Government, am yet unwilling that they
shall be embarrassed in the performance of
their public duties by the just opportunities of
disappointed creditors, who trusted them on the
faith oftheir compensation from the Treasury.
Believing that the duties required of the Off
GERS and clerks employed in the several Execu-
tive departments are by no means unreasonable,
and impressed with the importance ofa prompt
and efficient despatch of the public business, |
desire that you will take measures for the due
execution of the laws to which have called
your attention. Respectfully yours,
JAMES X. POLK.