The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-13

We learn from several sources-whig as well as demo-
cratictha little dissatisfaction exists, and complaints
are made by gentlemen OF all parties account oil the
delays and in consequence of the neglect OF duty and
neficiency Of of the officers in the public depart
ments here which has been the within theast fve
months to greater degree than has existed before
The chief cause OF this is the dismissal OF gentlemen
having knowledge OF the mode of ransactng the bust
ness properly and the substitution of incompetent wing
partisans The public business in more than one depart
msnt il is stated is in great confusion. The War and
Treasury Departments especially are said to be not lit
tie deranged We learn is contemplated by more than
one department or bureau to seek from Congress an add
onal number OF clerks to get up the business now be-
hndhand and this too in addition to those some OF the
Secretaries now employ without authority Of law. That
the Secretaries have not sufficient patronage to enable
them to crafty all the wing comorans daily seen hover
ing around the departments. do not doubt but we are
satisfied that no increase of clerical force in this city can
be necessary If those now in Office do their duty.
Complaints are made Of the hardness OF the Attorney
General and Of the Secretary Of the Treasury. especially
in not dsposing defntvey Of business in which citizens
interested pending before them and OF the diculy
Of access to them by persons having business with them
This is also cause of complaint against Mr. Clayton.
We do not understand this. these gentlemen have
been reputed to be assduous in the practice Of their pro-
fession when at the bar.
Some Of the new chiefs Of bureaus are not eminently
calculated to expedite the business and to do it correctly
We might instance Mr.. John G. Clarke, who was recent
ly appointed to authorship. in which he gave little
satisfaction and who has been transferred to the
Office Of Solicitor Of the Treasury He has never we be-
lieve, sustained very high reputation lawyer, or
for ability or learning His chief claim to Office is that
he has been violent and INSCRIPTIONS wing partisan
and we do not hesitate say that he is greatly inferior to
his predecessor in capacity attainment, and other qua
cations for good officer.
So far from Congress granting augmentation OF cle-
cal force in this city, inclined to believe that il
will be more disposed abolish OF the departments
so grossly abused by Mr. Ewing, than to create new
Offices to be distributed to wing partsans. whose chief
claim for public employment is that they cannot get and
are fit fot nJne other.
General Taylor's sworn duty is, to that the iatrs
are faithfully executed General Jackson and Mr. Polk
occasionally made personal visits to the departments to
see their condition; and honest head OF department
or bureau or clerk cannot Justly complain OF such su
pervision.
Unfavorable comparisons between the present head Of
the War Department and his predecessor as to ability and
efficiency are made by all who know the two; and tbs
state of the public business now shows how great,
Governor Marcy is the superior OF Governor Crawford
The dilly-daly system and proneness to error OF ths
Secretary OF the Navy the topics Of ordinary CONVEX
sation among all parties We believe heads OF thes,
two departments were ever less favorites with thu
branches Of service Of which they have charge thai
these two Secretaries.