New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-05


are paid co, of funds belonging in common 50
all our people; if you increase the offce-hoders
salary you virtually diminish the mechanics aud
Iaborr's wages. With what justice, then, for
what reason, shall Congress diminish the net in
come Of tho-e Who earn $40 per week, ia order t.
give large Increase to those already paid S2l
per week.
The corruption Of cur politics, the mercen,v
selffeebirg which pervades them, is a theme of
general and just complaint. All men do know that
the number seeking Ofice is DOW relatively far
greater than it was twenty thirty, forty years ago
And the reason is very simple; office pays better
II an anything else. TIE work is lighter, the pay
surer, the wages higher. in Office than in the field
or the shop Tie honor is Of small account; but
most mtn like to work little and receive much So
the partisan wre-w0rker whispers in the ear OF this
smart, infue ntis young carpenter or mason,
drop your work and goaround among your fellow
craftsueu or acquaintance aud get as many votes
as possible for me as Mayor or Congressman with
our parbs cal ddate for President, and l will get
you berth in the Customs. The young aspl-
rant listens to the syren song and is charmed by it.
Farewell trade henc4iOrth to the Election. he
attends tie Conventions and mass meetings of his
party, spOuts little at ward and township meet
ipgs if he can; helps distribute documents and or
ganize sticks bills and makes himself generally
useful. He is no longer an impartial citizen. hear
inc what may be sad ON both sides and judging
honestly if not impartialy between them; ne is
LonI- ehn and mi
Office. If his party is beaten, of course his cake
is dough; if it winf, he holds up bis por-
ringer along with some thousands as fierce
for pap rs he: few Only-and these not tho
most candd and scrupulous-can win. He who
gets in must submit to be assessed and reassessed,
to carry THU, then that, election-to get up re-
cfption for this magna.e or buy gold watch tor
that thresdbare spOuter or dexter0us pipelayer.
At four years end, possibly sooner. perhaps later
the reluctant patriot is turned out with his party,
in whose service he has drank so much bad liquor
and eaten so many hot suppers that his funds are
low and his capacity for getting living BY honest
productive industry depOrably reduced Hence
forth be is apt to be poor concern, signing Ike
ruired gambler for The delights that are no more,
hoping against hope that another turn of tho wheel
may rettore him to bis seat by the fieshpots, and
maintaining desperate and doubtful struggle to
keep soul and body together.
Oar plan would be just the opposite OF that re-
ported to the House. We would
/. Cut down the pay of Inspectors to SIS per
week or SEQ per annum.
g Make them irremovabe during good behavior,
and never without direct proof of incapacity. dis
honesty or neglect Of duty
3. Make it a misdemeanor to solici. subscrip-
ton from any one Of them for any Political put
pcse and require the President to remove i"s'a"tr
any collector or other superior who should coanive
at any levy or requistion upon them for political
purposes.
a. Stipulate that two thirds of the Weigher,
Measurers Deputy Collectors. &C. shall hereaf-
ter be appointed from among the IasPectors-
Theee changes would snve at least 100000
year to the Treasury at this p'rt, and perhaps
$3.50. coo in the Union, while It would secure
better corps of Il, venue officers than We Gao have
under our preseut system. The system we pro-
pose would be better for the service, better for ZOE
Treasury, and decidedly better for the officers than
that we bow have.