Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1845-03-06
Induce mems 10 Office Scekine.

Induce mems to Office Seeking.
Remarkng, in our last paper on the causes which in
duce many # fellow citizens abandon the pur>
suits and avocaiions which they have been accustomed
for the purpose Of obtaining office under the general
government, incidentally referred to the abuses which
have gradually infused themselves into lis practical ad
mnisiraton, indicated by the increase in the
number Of these officers well in the exotbi,ant sd
lares paid Of them. The increase in the num-
Der Of officers the New York custom house. from %
in 1928 10 40S in S42. and the augmentation Of their
aggregate salaries, which amts,nted To 1874 900 at the
first named period and $500 600 at the last. although
the amour, Of collected at tia, port remained
stationary. is but one, alihoug striking evidence OF
this growing abuse Blu, this is fat from heng an isu-
lated case. From statement presented 10 the House
Of Representatives a few days ago. while the general
Appropriation Bill under discussinn the startling
fact appears that there upwards T seventy collection
Districts which the Of salaries paid to officers
exceeds The whole amount of revenue collected BY up
wards of half million of dollars per annun! "ln many
Of these districts I'VE informed by The Washington
correspoDsn of the New York Tribune the Collectors
receive salaries tan.og from $1,000 $500. willis,
their subHdnsrs, receive from 500 to $1,000 per an.
II is also well known that some of the districts
AiitcuTeS,
dollars are drawn froM the treasury in compensation for
me'e nominal services Indeed, maj ry Of the officers
seem ia c nsidef II their chief duey 10 niansge political
affairs and snrr@ live ,as'y n. power. by the use Of
Their 'li ia influence and emoiumenis," Why, it may
b. asked. have ma these abuses, s~nre Il whch have
heen long ago exposed. been CORRECTED! At this ye,y
sfssion an eAott ~as made by Mr.. Hunt, Wing mem
bet VI the Ill. Of II. from New York, to effect partial
reeli atm, oi the evhut in vain lie aGefes. an a.
mendmen To The Appropriation bill, "reducing the saa
rss Of COLLECTORS to 500 in districts wsfe they collect
less than SJ000 aud 600 where they clIect legs
than $40 600 OF duties, and also reducing the salaries of
the subordinate officers. Blu, this amendment, so ob
sosy just, principles Of public virtue and economy
and by which the cmntry would more than $50
QUO per annum, rejected by this Locofco Congress-
II indeed Gas the letter to the Tribune says) pres
nant commentary upon the camorous professions Of e.
conony, re'rencment and reform, in which the MAORI
y OF the House so os'eniatiousy indulge. but which
hey always refuse TO practise. when the public veal
comes IN conflict nth the patronage and machinery OF
III, pnrty'
The Consulate system Of the United States is like
wise exceedingly defective in this particular. What
wonder is that the Consushp certain ports should
give Else TO such anxious and competitions when
'"e Consulate at Liverpool is worth from 10 to 900
tsr a"nam-tha at Havana about $40 OOO-and that at
'a're from TO $40 OOOl II the abors of these fiji
were oppessvey arduous, The responsibilities Of
'he stations were at all delicate onerous, there might
oe some reason in these salaries and perqu-
s'es-but such is not the case and therefore, if il is not
The purpose although such would seem to be the case to
create offices in order that certain favored individuals
may eeaP fortunes from them, the Consulate system
should be az once revised with view the refoma
lion OF this monslrous abuse--Al useless Offices should
De at once aboshed-ana in sach as are retained the
salaries and perqusies should be reduced an econom
cal and just Standard 10 be ascersaed By the extent
'e duties aud the weight Of responsibility attached to
ihem This refcrm effected mere Adventures would be
Tar less likely to seek these appointments. SMILE there
never would be any difficulty, the other haad in pro-
curing the services Of efficient add competent agents. We
esr. however tia, these sautary reforms will never be
eeces. sais se people shall be folly awakened to the
ehormy of the abuse aud shall deem e,eap aud pure
government Of more advantage to them than The triumph
OF party.