Polynesian., 1861-10-12
No. "a.


government lab0rs and interests. The principle
is, full but reduced pay, and full work, or where
full labor cannot be given, (as there may be some
such cases from peculiar lOeation,) then paw pro-
pOrtioned to the labor. If it be said that suit
able officers cannot be obtained on such a basis,
reply, try it and see present officers who love the
national prosperity we'll they do their Offices,
will continue to hold Office except so far as INSULT
cient work may render their discharge necessary.
If Others choose to resign equally faithful and eff
cient can be found to FIJI the vacancies on the
retrenching basis.
3d-The military should be reduced, and more
in its paid officers than in the rank and fle This
1 beiiere to be the view of very large majority
OF intelligent foreigners and true friends of the
government here and elsewhere. Something is
conceded to the dignity of the state, but as an
arm of national defense against foreign aggres-
sion, it is powerless. The pay of officers and
men which remain should be reduced. An eff
cient police should be maintained as far as posi-
Bile; and this, think it will be conceded by every
impartial person, ought to be done for the pro-
lection of that portion Of the community which
contributes so largely to the revenues of the gov
ernment, and it would seem that this department
of the public service should not be dispensed with
except as a last resort. Salaries should be re-
duced, and less essential branches of the public
service should first be cut off, before the protee-
tiOn of the property, which forms almost the sole
basis of the governments existence, should be
withdrawn.
4th-The government printing should beaward-
ed to the lOI 81 responsible bidder, and the nyi-
tatiOn for t. Aers should reserve the right of the
government jos reasonable space, say from one
to two columns in each issue, for its own defense
if attacked, or for other purposes of national
benefit, If il was desired and any editor not
accedng to this Just condition, should not be ad-
mitted as a competitor, but it appears to me that
neither Of our present liberal minded editors
would object to these conditions. In this case
should the Advertiser be the successful cOmpeti-
tor, and should its editor speak disparagingly of
public measures, as he often has DONE the review
through the same columns, by the friends of the
government, would offer an antidote Just as ,ride
spread as the eriI, and the same identical eommu-
nifty would pronounce more impartial verdict
of the Justice or injustice of the attack, or the
failure or success of the defense, than they can
now do In following this programme of re-
trenchment, my knowledge of details is Of course
imperfect, and it is not to be supposed that u
more perfect knowledge would not vary more or
less general plan, but more still, detait one.
Others, in common with myself, feel that the
present exigency demands prompt, vigorous and
UiSe action, and no doubt worthy and efficient
officers who have not sufficient work, must be dis
placed, but private interest must yield to public
good.
have treated of principles and not men, of
what public and not private interests in my
Judgment demand. and with the kindest personal
feelings to any and all who might be affected by
such a reform as | have imperfectly marked out,
I remain, Mr.. Editor, the nations friend as well
as yours, truly, RETRENCHMENT.
P S.-I would not be understood as advocatings
prorata reduction of salaries II may be found that
some are not too large even under present circum-
stances but single glance at facts, IL seems 10 me,
shows concusvely that considerations Of policy pro-
priey justice. andy may add necessity, imperativey
call for reconstruction Of the system Of government
compensation, upon q more economical basis, and TO
extent Of government service for of the latter it
may appear that there labors which desirable
and useful when there is an overhowing treasury
which are not indispensable, under less favorable
circumstances. $500 to $500 is doubtless as am-
pie salary in 1861 as $4,000 was at the time when
the ministerial salaries raised to this from
$1,000. and the chief justiceship to 5000. Ii is
for the treasury TO pay than the larger sum
was then Ii is more for the tax payers. the govern
ment supporters, to raise than $4,000 was then.
1t is equally ample for all necessary expenses Of
living at this time to the $4,000 dollars then. Then
the treasury had a surplus of from $50, 900 to
100000 invested with good security it is
S2OO,O0O in debt. Then all merchandise, except
alcoholic drinks, paid ad valorem duty Of only
fire per cent, and there was no property tax
all such merchandise pays ten per cent. duty, and
there is also property tax. Then large profits
realized in commercial pursuits. and almost, if
not every branch of industry profits are small
and incomes diminished that doubtless some have
to draw in part for current expenses from funds
realized in the former prosperous years whilst
productive labor is largely in excess Of the demand
Then building materials, and labor, and rents, and
furniture, and articles for the wardrobe and the
table were high nOV they are low, being, Think.
81 khow
were. think $4,000 now would 90 as far in neces-
sary expenses $500 perhaps 5000 then.
single commission house, then doing business here,
as assured by its senior member, sold merchsn-
disc to the amount Of more than quarter of a mil
lion Of dollars in very brief period Of time and
from my own personal knowledge Of the prices, it
could not have been at less than IN average Of 20
per cent. above present retail prices. More details
might be given, but they are unnecessary.
During the years of decline in business and in
comes which succeeded those times and the increase
Of taxation, the salaries of the chief government
officers have remained the same, whilst the salaries
of subordinates and clerks have been gradually in
creased from $1,000 and $500 to $500 and on to
$1,000, according to the position Of the incumbent
The employees have likewise increased, whilst.
with the diminished business Of the country, the
labors at least in some cases. must have diminished;
for example, in the Interior Office three thou
sand Land Patents had to be made out with much in
cidental labor and interruption. This class Of labor
must now be greatly diminished and 50 Of other
classes of service in the various departments Of
government With burdened treasury, every en-
poyee should have full labor and compensation.
based upon the principles stated in the first part Of
this letter. Officers and clerks Of corporations and
merchants do q large amount Of labor in pressing
times out of business hours so ought it be With
government officials and clerks. Their labor and
fare should correspond to that of their supporters,
according the various social position OF which the
respective parties form part But here there seems
to have been a mistake for whilst the income Of the
civa com immunity has been greatly diminished, and
their taxes than doubled, thus diminishing the
means even beyond the diminution Of prices, the
salaries Of the officials have not been correspondngly
reduced. but remained they were, or advanced
still higher. thus having the effect in the former case
Of an increased salary, just proportioned to the
diminished price Of the necessares Of life and in the
latter case Of salaries actually advanced making the
disproportion still greater. Thus II $4,000 ras s
support for Minister, but by reason Of diminished
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