The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-02-12
wAsnIyoroy cornrsroSDENcE.

w.smxdroS. Feb. O, 1869.
Eprron UAox AND JouxsiL In the prs
ent letter fpropOse to present Few facts IN 10
gard 70 ,inecurcs. The present Congress, on
account Of certain limitations that Grant Is to
be the champion Of honesty and economy in the
administration Of public affairs, has undertaken
to look sharply into the appropriation bills
The ''eock eye Of Ben Butler detected, the
other day. an appropriation for the salary OF
guardian Of the Crypt, and proper inquiry lei
to ne fact that more than forty years ago a
vault was constructed in basement Of the Capt.
tOl for the remains OF Washington. A keeper
was appointed to guard il, and the relatives Of
the immortal deceased not giving up his ashes
for deposit there, he has held his position forty
years, and drawn salary for g,iariinsa vacant
tomb r.... ..
Discussion in the Senate ON the Consular anu
Diplomatic appropriation bill reveals the met
that under the treaty with Great Britain OF
April Z, 1862, for suppression OF the save
trade, mixed courts were organized, with three
Judges and three arbtratos; the salaries Of
Judges being $500, each, per annum, one Of
the arbitrator $1,000, and two. $1,000 each,
requiring an appropriation Of sl2,5Oo, per an
nun. Not one case has ever come before either
Of these courts. Truman Smith, the Judge
of the Court in New York draws $500 salary,
and $500 per annum for office rent, and his
only service has been to make out his account
at the end Of each quarter and draw his salary.
The other officers are part Of the time at homo,
and might as well be all the time, but never
fail to draw their salary. And 1 might here
add that sometimes even humble clerks in De-
partments here get sinecurc places. know q
young democrat not thousand miles from San
ford, who came here in April last, and Sec. Nc
Culloch gave him an appointment About the
middle Of June he obtained leave Of absence
Of fifteen days with pay, went home, and re-
turned here immediately after the New York
Convention. having spent a season at that d.
vine institution. lie remained here till the first
Of August and went home, Montgomery Blair,
as am told, having fixed it all right for him.
lie has not yet returned, but 1 learn from our
Disbursing Clerk that his salary has been sent
him (SlO0 per monthly up TO Dee, 81. and will
probably continue so till the 4th OF March. But
the most startling case have yet heard Of is in
connection with the Commission for the North
Western Boundary Survey. This Commission
was organized in 1867 under treaty with Great
Britain. and Archibald Campbell was appointed
Commissioner with salary Of $1,000 per an
mum and SS per day, Communication for personal
expenses. The commission made their survey
and returned to Washington in 1861. Since
that time the commission has remained in Wash
ington, consisting Of the Commissioner, with
salary Of 5000 and sS per day as above stated,
an Assistant Astronomer, with salary OF ST.
500 and 81 per day for personal expenses; a
clerk, at salary Of $1,000; and Is allowed a
messenger at s72O per annum; Office rent at
$1,000 fuel, stationary, &C., making an annu-
al expenditure Of from $4,000 to sl6OOo'
The expenditure for 1868, as ascertainc1 from
accounts in Treasury. amounts to SliOI2O3.
II is difficult to see what advantage this CON-
mission has been To the government since 1861,
though it has been nice thing for Mr.. Camp
bell. 1t is very plain to see that the blame
must rest on Congress, for continuing the ap-
preparation. The commission has cost the Gov
eminent s59i, 900, although only. 1857 900 has
been appropriated. Many articles which they
bought for a ft-out have been sold, aud the'pro-
eeeis used for other disbursements. Its days
however are about numbered. L. ID. Washburn
introduced resolution Of inquiry and de-
tailed statement of expenditures has been pre-
parcel by the Treasury Department, and the
matter will. no doubt, soon be rightcd. II is
well. sometimes, for the people to know how the
"mOney goes" A. A.