The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-29
Delay OF Business

We find in the last number of "The United States
Postal Guide many interesting articles, showing that
that journal is conducted with great ability, and deserves
the patronage of the public.
The following. accounting for the delays of business
he public Offices, may be quoted specimen OF the
alen, of the editors and commended 10 the notice OF
our readers.
DELAY OF BusINEss-Ac correspondent in the western
part OF the State OF Pennsy vana has written us COM
planning OF the delay of business in of the Offices,
failure TO answer letters the loss Of papers, &c. He
marks that at seems almost impossible 10 get any ing
done Washington" and is astonished that Congress
(nasmuch the members must be well aware OF the
condition Of the depar,ments) does not make provision to
remedy the evil.
We fear there is but too much ground for the complaint
of our correspondent, In some Of the offices the bus
indeed anentaby in arrear; but this fact is
less rePrehensble in Judgment than the manifest in
difference the part OF the officers OF The departments 10
the convenience the rights and the feelings OF the parties
concerned IL is not light matter, 10 put of
an individual for single day il bis business be des
patched To put him oil repeatedly; TO violate the
times appointed him 10 send him bootessy from office
office, from clerk TO clerk; to lntepose caplious
frivolous objecons TO exact supefuous adherence 10
mere forms and to demand unnecessary and unreasona
BILE proo.-are against the spirit OF our institutions, and
are grossly improper and censurable.
These practices do not prevail at this time all,
perhaps in the greater number of the offices nor, in
OF those in which they do prevail are they OF recent orr
gin, however much they may have recently been in
creased The officers who indulge in them from want Of
capacity the love Of ease the arrogance of power,
upon principle Of calculation in order to magnify the
difficulties OF their business and the importance OF their
positions, hardly sensible OF their improperly not
10 say enormiy The individuals who, from time time,
suffer from them find 1t hazardous, whilst Their business
in progress TO exasperate those who hold their rights
their hands, and when the business ended either at
dismiss their resentment want the knowledge or
saered the country the power 10 be derived oay
from combination, TO make their Teclamations heard.
From these other cause causes it is that the
nation at large remains passive and qn'escent upon The
subject Wrongs are daily perpetrated IN the depart
men,s which, as the injury of one is the injury OF
all, should provoke general Indignation; and yet,
although the people cannot be wholly ignoran, Of
them, tolerant have they become, that one might
almost be led to suppose they love TO have it ~
Members OF Congress far less likely to know or 10
appreciate abuses in the departments than cores.
pondent to suppose They do no, give much at
eniion as matter OF congressional duty. 10 the bust
and proceedings of the departments and whenever
they with them IN relation TO the individual
business OF their constituents sure 10 receive Tor II
the readest attention, and for themselves the ampest
compaisance In several OF the Offices rules OF prece
dence in the business of members OF Congress are rec
og and avowed instead OF the rule 10 despatch bust
Of every kind and OF every person. from day to day
arises at least the order without respect TO
| persons, in which it is presented.
Flaered by the graiuitous concession oil privilege
the geaemen OF Congress not apt TO reflect that the
sole and occasions OF any such preference mus
spring from improper and indeienshle procras'naton
OF the general business, nor in the Offices IN which they
are practi.ed how fair showing TO Congress may consis
with the grosses and neglect OF the bus
ness of others An office which has become habtuaec
TO these preferences in opinion, hopeless and ncu
rabe II can have but little respect Tor itself and no am
bon of honorable fame Ii orgels that II is the mere
agent OF the people, appointed to do that business io
them severally which collectively they cannot do fo
themselves II is not ashamed TO admit the failure o
the very object of ts existence, and is only socous
shield itself from danger by compances in favo
OF those who hold the rod OF correction in their hands
1t is indeed glorious feature in system OF govern
ment, that the law is respecer OF persons but th'
people, charmed with this distinction. may perhaps find
in their hearts TO allow little discrimination in the al
minsraon of IL, grateful for the devotion and ever
servlty they indirectly receive in the persons Of the
representatives may become patient in time under thu
arrogance and njusice dealt out directly TO themselves
This subject, although it has not received the public
attention which il well deserves, has not been who'll,
overlooked General jackson, in bis annual message a
the session OF Congress OF 1922, brought TO thu
| notice of that body, a. showed in our last mum
her Select committees raised in the House OF Rep
resentaves at two several sessions TO devise plan fol
| The reorp anzaion of the departments having in view
The more prompt despatch of business and bill wal
red and even printed for preliminary information
10 its being reported to the House for iha
purpose What remarkable IN respect TO this bill IA
thai what the select committee had failed to do. under
special order OF the House. one OF s standing COMMITTEES
did of it's own voluntary motion The bill OF the selec
committee which not reported tn The House, only 10
the reason that the chairman Judge Wayne wa. removed
to the bench OF the Supreme Court at The moment he wa
prepared to present it, fell under the notice OF the Com
mee OF Commerce, and was reported ny It at two SUB
sequent sessions Judge Wayne had bestowed gea
paIns unon ths sub,ect He had made INQUIRIES OF IN