Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-05-07
senator Hunter-Omoial Reform.


"A Reporter" in communication to this
paper, quotes from late speech of Senator Hun
ter, Of Virginia, the following passage:
Once let it be understood that industry will
be rewarded and idleness punished, and you will
have a body Of clerks in the departments Of whom
any Secretary might justly be proud"
We unite in the opinion here expressed, and
look with earnest hope to the time when the
honors and emoluments of Office shall be the sure
reward of usefulness and integrity.
But our correspondent remarks that Mr.. Hun
ter puts his own theory into practice in a manner
which is justly worthy of imitation. Having a
desire to see Senator H., few days ago, he
called at his boarding house about half-past nine
o'clock in the forenoon, thinking that that would
be the best time to see him. but was informed
that he had gone to the Capitol "long ago" He
called the next morning little before nine, think
ing that the Senator would surely not breakfast
before eight o'clock, but was again informed that
Mr. Hunter had "gone to the Capitol" He re-
piled, "Why, he goes early" eyes, sir" was
the answer, che always breakfasts between seven
and eight and leaves for the Capitol at eight
o'clock"
"Who," the writer asks, "has better right
to speak about industry than he who exemplifes
it in his own life. Let every clerk who would
secure his position and rise in the estimation Of
the heads of bureaus or departments, say to him
self, go thou and do likewise.'''
Mr. Hunter has taken the lead in one of the
most necessary and important reforms required
by our government. The appointing power is
anh-republican, and should be dispensed with
whenever it is possible to do SO; but the power
to appoint elevate, degrade, or dismiss at plea
sure, is anomalous in the theory of this govern
ment, and exceedingly pernicious in practice
The instances, during the past twenty-four years,
in which appointments have been made in this
city with impartiality and q single regard for
the public welfare, have been but exceptions to
the general rule Favoritism, nepotism and the
most unworthy motives have almost constantly
characterized the exercise of the appointing
power and GRADES in position and compensation
appear to have been established almost exclu-
to the idle and inefficient. Plausible, cunning,
and unprincipled men are ever the parasites Of
power, while the honorable, intelligent, and in
dustrious, though oppressed with excessive Ia
bors, are little valued in their respective posi-
tions, and scarcely ever promoted.
There are somewhere about thousand men
in this city whose chances of Advancement may be
said to be almost wholly dependant upon success
full toadyism while every man among them may
at any moment be deprived Of his means Of liveli-
hood, without the shadow Of reason for it, at
the viii of a single superior officer.
We will go further, and though we record it
with reluctance and shame it shall be written.
Offices have been procured under the government in
this city by means the most base and degrading 10
whieh IL is possible TO resort. The necessity for q
salutary reform calls for the avowal of this truth ;
and should it call for the proof of it, it be ad
duced proof as clear as the uniform sequence
of effects from their causes.
If the people of the United States knew the
tendency Of the investment of the Executive de-
partment with the extent of discretionary power
it now possesses respecting the appointment and
tenure Of subaltern civil officers, they would at
once demand prompt and total change of the
system. But Congress has the power to remedy
many glaring errors and we earnestly hope the
work may be at once commenced