The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-23
REORGANIZATION OF THE STATE DE
PARTMENT

There is a House bill now lying in Committee OF
the Whole on the state of the Union, and which
was reported unanimously, as we have understood,
many weeks since from the Judiciary Committee,
which we regard as probably one of the most impor-
ant measures not yet acted upon by the House. 1t is
entitled "bill creating the Office of Assistant Sec
rotary of State, and for other purposes" 1t pro-
poses to reorganize the Department of State.
The report (No. 552) by the Judiciary Commit
tee, and accompanying the bill, contains q letter
from the present Secretary of State, which should
be read by every member of Congress who desires
to see efficiently administered that important branch
of government, to which are committed our foreign
relations with the rest of the civilized world. 1t
presents case so strong to demand the imme-
date interpretation of Congress.
A single fact might almost suffice in proof of this
assertion. In 1918 our missions abroad were screen,
and our consulates sirty-stren; to-day we have
t,centy-tree missions and one hundred and serenity
consuates; an increase in the number of officers Ito
say nothing of the increased business of each) of
nearly three-fold. And yet TO correspond with
these there is, besides the Secretary himself but
one chief clerk, as there was then, and four add
in 1918, and but fifteen now.
Inasmuch as there is required clerk as disburs-
ing agent translator, clerk of pardons and pass
ports, and others not Immediately connected with
foreign relations the result is as the report in
forms US, that Independently of the chief clerk,
there but fire clerks employed in conducting our
diplomatic correspondence rith the phoe ,corld' The
wonder is, not that a thousand important matters
are neglected, as the secretary admits that they are
nd must be, but that, with force so utterly made
quate, the machine continues to work at all.
Yet perhaps, even this is not the worst evil. In
the whole department not an individual, except the
secretary himself, has power to sign single paper
or decide upon any question, how trivial soever
What is the consequence Mr. Buchanan frankly
states it:
1.-The consequence Of this accumulation of bust
ness upon the head of the department must be man.
fest to every one. He must either neglect great
national interests, the subordinate but pressing
business involving the rights of individuals Almost
every day brings with it struggle between the con-
cring claims Of subjects, all of which entitled
to attention, whilst it is impossible that all should
receive it."
But again 1t is duty which nothing but imperi-
Gus necessity should prevent, that the Secretary Of
State should make himself acquainted with the ex-
sting relations of all foreign nations with the United
States and with each other so far as these latter re-
lations bear upon this country. Now no one, we
believe, doubts the industry and ability of the pres
ent secretary; yet, in his letter, he says:
"Sincs the present secretary came into the de-
partment, he has not found time even for careful
perusal Of the leading foreign Journals much less
for that Of those other publications with which his
duties require that he should become acquainted
All this shows the absolute necessity, if we would
not absolutely tie the hands Of one of the most i'm
portant of our public functionares upon whose ac-
ton may depend even peace or war throughout the
civilized world, that he should have assistant
Such an one the bill in question provides; and to
him is to be conhded so much of the less import.
ant business of the department the President may
assign to him; subject, however, to the direction of
the secretary.
We think there will hardly be two opinions in
Congress about the merits Of this BILL but the very
best measures at this late stage may be lost merely
by delay.
p. s. Since writing the above, we learn that in
the debate of to-day, the bill in question wa. sew
srsl times alluded to, and received opposition from
some quarters, as viii be seen by reference to the
debate We still adhere to the opinion, that il
fairly explained to the House it will be carried by
very large majority.