The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-02-07
THE PRESIDENT-THE PEOPLE
THE RUPEAIrS =

THE BUREAUS. 50
We give place. in our editorial columns, TO the
following communication from "A Workingman,"
with pleasure and commend it., with much earn
estness. to the pernsa of our public functionares
IN Washington. He has spoken facts, and OK
hibited feelings, which are by no means uncon,-
mon in this region. He says that working men
cannot handle the pen with facility, but we fancy
his words will tell in the right quarter
We are aware that the President is believed.
throughout the country, to possess most extern.
sive power over the public works but it must be
recollected, that there is great sub-divisuri of
duties directed by law, and Notwithstanding he is
the chief executive officer, he is dependent Upon
his Cabinet and the Heads Of the Bureaus fc r all
the information he may obtain, TO enable hi "a to
carry on the Government properly and effecti vely
IT these subordinate officers not true, and
faithful to the people. the President may be de-
ceived or kept in darkness to the true condi-
tion of affairs. Even Cabinet officers them. elves
who have the immediate supervision of II, Blu
reaus. may be imposed upon. and we mo st IN
qualifedy believe. that it is owing to tn NAL
construction of the Bureaus in the Navy Depart
ment, that the evils complained of, a,ld from
which we are now suffering in this. quarter,
arise.
The gentlemen, at presen, occupying them, are
by habit. and association, disqualified for the dn-
ties imposed upon them, and some nr thrust in
contrary to the plain provisions of tn act Great
ing those Bureaus. We have repeo { .edly spoken
OF this and we now say again, that these separate
desks must be reconstructed, and Tut under the
charge of practical and scientific rnen, who are
not too old to seize upon the impr vements of the
age. We regret to be obliged To- saw any ,hino
against the gallant officers of The NAVY: and
when they occupy the position ,vhch they have
been educated for, the quarterd eek, we shall al
ways honor them as they desc We; but we will
not uphold them in seeking tn duties of the civ
llian. while they retain their rank in the NAVY.
If is, then, rm that sourc the evils spring. of
which our correspondent co,rnplains, and we are
firmly convinced that it is, we must look TO Con
gTess, mainly for relief in his matter, and not
80 particularly to the Presi dent Let the Work
ingmen throughout the cou n Try make known their
grievances in the shape IF earnest but respectful
Memorials to that branch of the Government, and
we believe relief will be granted
We have before us nc wv, the COPY of a Memo.
rial which is being ext ensvely circulated in The
Northern cities, which we have no doubt if gen.
orally signed, and sent on to the two Houses Of
Congress, would work iavorably TO all parties
concerned. We copy it for the benefit of our
readers:
" To The Honorable. The Congress of the Uni
ted States:
Your petitioners, CT tizens of the various states.
comprising this great on fedrracy, do respectfully
al tlz 4
fare of our beloved cou nty, direct and ask the at
tenlon of your honnra ,Ie bodies to the enactment
of such laws. as will tend TO preserve our Curious
liberty and instltnto MS And your petitioners
would to this end, bring to your more immediate
notice the necessity Of III e enactment of such laws
as will prevent the evil of uniting pIuralily Of
offices IN the hands of single person. We pro-
test against Navy oil ic ers holding commissions
under orr GoyeInme mt which are disconnected
and irrelevant 10 the nature of the commission
held by them. One o the greatest Of these evils.
as exists IN the laws of Congress of 1872 giving
power TO the powers that be-" of the appoint.
ment Of Navy Office rs TO those stations which
have been heretofore occupied by civilians We
are of the firm cOnviciiO that this official monon
oily is contrary to the Co institution of our Country,
which in its spirit if express letter is AGAINST
any one holding two of fees at the same time :.
And we The Citizens of the United States would
beg, that such laws AIS now exist contrary TO the
spirit OF this petition, sh all be repealed, and more
particularly do we de sire that The laws of l842
recognizing the Nav Department shall be so
amended, that il shall be nnlaw ful for either of
the Bureaus IN that apartment to be filled nv
shose holding commlss ons under the Government
This has been a vexi,tious evil, and we call ON
our Representatives to repeal all such laws and
confne the duties of ou Navy and Military Off
GERS, To those Of their accustomed sphere and va.
cation, and thereby do Justice to our en,erprsine
Citizens. And your petitioners as in duty bound
will ever pray"
We now direct the readers attention to III
communication of our correspondent
For the n CIV Era.
REFORE AMI T'IaD