Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-07-09
ADMINISTRATIVE LABORs.

X \
Walking with friend few days ago past the
Executive Departments, he remarked on the vastly
increased labors which the growth Of the Republic
now devolved on those Bureaus and their heads,
compared with what they in our csrly recol
lection, when one building (and that not very
large one) contained the two Houses of Congress
and its clerks, the Post Office, the Patent Office, and
Public Library, and when the Department OF State
was accommodated in twenty foot three-story
house Though the remark was less new than
true, it seemed to worthy Of being repeated to
our readers 49,
The vast expansion of the country, in territory,
population, new channels of trade and industry,
and every kind of development, within the last
quarter of century has added greatly to the duties
aud powers of the different Departments and to the
labors of those who administer and direct them and
these abors and duties are yearly becoming more
arduous and complicated The war with Mexico
and our possessions on the Pacific greatly enlarged
the duties of the Army and Navy. Our present ex-
tended relations abroad, even to the most distant
regions of the world, give to the Department OF
State augmented anxieties and responsibilities The
Treasury, with its receipts of fifty millions and its
chine to manage and regulate than it was in the
days of GALLATIN and CRAWFORD. The twenty
two thousand post Offices stand out in grand and
gratifying contrast with the same number of hum
dreds which existed in the days of the virtuous
MEIGs and his honest and faithful associates the
BRADLEYs-then almost confined to the I" Atlantic
SLOPE now carrying light and gladness to millions of
hearths over third of the circuit of the solid globe.
The Department of the Interior Though recon-
mended by the enlightened MADISON, but Of recent
creation) proves the wisdom of its conception, it
daily discloses great convenience in the Govern
mental machine and its adaptation to the wants Of
the people in all that regards the home interests Of
the Republic. All these branches of the public
service are administered, as far as our knowledge
has enabled us to Judge, by honest and capable
men. This it is due to them to say, though
differing from them in almost all essential points
of public policy and principle The same we would
as freely add Of the Chief who rules all and is con-
stitutionaly responsible for ALL did the occasion de-
mand such reference.
There is yet another Department which too has
gone on, and must 60 on, in labor and duty, CON-
mcpsurately with the growthA the country, CO,
upcrauug with; zud ~ times controlling y lStas
others; and that is the JUDICIARY, the sh-vranchor
Of our hopes, the @gis Of public liberty In the
silent action Of this great power of the State it does
not command that consideration with the public
which the political and patronagc-giving Depart
ments do. Regarding it ourselves as the most im-
porant Of ALL We have always looked at its compo-
sition with the deepest interest The depository OF
trust SO exalted and delicate, demanding the
highest intellectual cndowments with the purcst
moral ones, it was with pain and modification 1--WE
take the occasion to say) that we saw last winter
the Senate, under the influence, we must presume,
of mere party spirit cast away the opportunity OF
placing such man on the Bench as was presented
to them in the nomination Of Senator BADGER of
North Carolina, one SO trained jurist, so high
in intellect pure in life, the first ogican ct II
no disparagemcnt to any TO say iD in the elevated
body OF which he is light and an ornament. But
Of that important Department if for its high duties
none but the most fit fit at ALL less important
is it thathe representative of the public at its Bar
the Attorney General, should be among the fore
most Of the profession, and every way equal tc
the bench This office, though attracting little at
tention outside Of the forum, has been often filled
by men who adorned the post. Many bright name.
rise to memory as we pen the line, but TO namt
them would seem invidious II is due to the occa
sion to say, however, thai the importance and
dignity of the Office will nos suffer in the hands Of
the distinguished gentleman who now fills it; and
we have reason to believe that his department ha:
been systematized and its duties multiplied to.sr
exteat hardly ever before known.