American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-15


THE DEPARTMENTS AT WASHINGTON.
NUMBER SEVEN.
We hive said that the nomination of clerks
should be made by the heads of bureaus and
chief clerks, and the heads of Departments
should exercise only confirming power This
would do more than any thing else could to Sc
cure the services of competent business men.
We have heretofore spoken of the immeasur
able distance between the Secretaries and their
clerks. By this reform this distance would be
almost entirely annihilated. Under the present
organization, the Secretaries make the appoint
ments without any knowledge Of the qualifca-
tons, and generally without any knowledge Of
the men even whom they appoint. They often
appoint very good clerks, it is true; but will
any one say that it is not rather by accident
than otherwise? But if the heads of bureaus
and chief clerks were not only held responsible
for the performance of the work, as now, but
also for the qualifications of the clerks them
selves, they would take much more pains than
the Secretaries usually do to inquire into the
fitness of applicants for appointment
We venture to assert that less number of
clerks than are now in the employ of the Govern
ment will suffice for ten years to come, if this
system of appointment shall be permitted to
supplant that which prevails. Competency and
efficiency will as naturally flow from it as effect
results from cause. The very principle of self
ishness in the bureau heads and chief clerks,
added to every conceivable motive which
could prompt them, would SO operate as to in
sure the highest standard of qualification, and
of course the greatest possible efficiency and
despatch in the public service Having them
selves passed through the ordeal, having just
arisen from the ranks of the clerks by reason
of their eminent attainments and practical
knowledge, it would be contrary to reason to
suppose that they would select for their CO.
laborers, in a subordinate capacity, men whom
they do not know to possess the requisite abil-
tiles. Being themselves required to perform
the active duties of their Office, and, conse-
quently, having business with each clerk in re-
gard to his special duties, they would discover
the incompetency and derelictions of clerks
and would of course suggest the application of
the proper corrective of the evil
These are facts and theories that challenge
investigation, and, if true, why should they
not be enforced? The honor of the Govern
ment, in view Of its national character, as well
rs the honor of those connected with the public
service in the several Departments, requires
their speedy adoption; but how much is affected
the honor of those having sole Jurisdiction of
the subject, and who alone can bring about the
reform, remains to be seen after the assembling
Of The next Congress.
Surely nothing can be more apparent than that
the present system is defective-demoralizin in
it's tendency, and anti-American in its features.
To prove this, we have only to refer TO the fact,
that it las ever been the boast Of distinguished
gentleman that ne held the breath of the nos
trils of eight hundred officers who dared not
exercise the American prerogative Of differing
with him on subjects of political economy. To
enforce still more strongly the same principle,
be spoke Of them as dependents" holding at
sufferance, to be retained or removed at his will
and pleasure. Is this compatible with correct
notions Of AmeTicanisml
In the face of this declaration, is it not time
that Congress should set bounds to preroga-
tive that threatens to convert American institu-
tons into despotism, and reduce the condition
of an honorable and meritorious class Of Amer
lean citizens to that of mere serfs and "depend-
ants ?" Such abuses of power render it the
duty of the press of the country to "cry aloud
and spare not" So :" lift up thy voice like n
trumpet, and show thy people their transgres-
sions, and the house of Jacob their SINS"