Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-12-15
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Dec 10, 1870.
REFORMS DEMANDED.

OF the present Congress, certain reforms
will be made and certain abuses corrected.
The calls for these are loud and impera-
tive, because their importance are being
recognized by the people; and however
much individual Lawmakers may seem to
be the leaders, and actually manipulate
in trivial matters, it is significant fact
that the populace, while they seem to fol-
low, are in reality the leaders in all great
questions.
! Certain men OF eminence, years ago,
saw the cloud like mans, hand, and
heard the distant mutterings of political
thunder coming up from the commonality.
With commendablc skill they have
thrown their canvass to the breeze, and
heading to leeward have scud before the
storm, seeming to lead it, in reality driven
by it. Illustrating the difference between
the man who foresees and one who hind
sees, they stand before the country as
leaders-fgure-heads great and living
principles, of great abuses, or great re-
|
reforms, and most prominent is the
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
This question has already shaken the
administration to recognition of its de.
mands, and is becoming daily more promi-
nent before the country.
Not hardly Secretary or Bureau Off,
GERS report has been submitted that does
not strongly recommend reform in this
respect. The people demand it, and the
opposition promise great things in this
line; and the time has now come when
Congress should take some action. While
political faith is the test for fitness, there
will be naturally more attention given to
political matters than to official duties
While members of Congress have the dis
tribution of patronage, they can,
and do often, demand the removal
of competent and faithful officials
to make room for their friends
Often the question of relationship, rang
ing anywhere from brother to wife's four
teenth cousin, determines the dismissal OF
competent man from an important posi-
ton, to make room for one, at least mex
perienced. OF course such a system de-
stroys efficiency of service. Thus we find
upon questioning our heads of depart
ments, that with all of our boosted ad-
vancement, other nations have more
efficient system of service and attain more
desirable ends
Prussia outranks US in this, and even
Italy shows a more complete system.
Mr.. Young, the Chief of our Bureau of
Statistics, who has done much toward cor
recting the laxness within his sphere of
duties, finds serious embarrassment in
gathering statistics, owing indirectly to
the faultiness of the service system. He
confesses himself unable to compete with
Prussia and other nations in this respect
and yet the fault is not his, no more COM
petent and certainly none more devoted
than he need be required for the position.
The fault is in those upon whom he must
rely for data, all over the country. These
men cannot rely upon holding their posi-
tons long, and if they are conscientious
in the discharge of duties or not, are IL
able to be removed before they can be-
come proficient. As an instance of ineffi-
cheney Vermonters are aware of the extent
of immigration from Europe through
Canada into our State. Thousands in a
single day sometimes cross our border,
and yet this has never until the past year
been noticed in our reports of Immigration,
and at best Mr.. Young could only give
approximate statistics owing to the want
of proper registry system. But this is
receiving the attention of the Bureau.
CONGRESS
never make shaste the first week, but |
always atone for it during the last. Now
it is cool and life can be enjoyed in other
ways,!then, especially if it be in July, it
is so dreadfully warm that nobody can
enjoy anything, not even sleep, so they
wsrk day and night. Perhaps the work
is not always done as we'll as it should be.
THE SENATE
has received long lists of appointees for
confirmation, and have spent considerable
time in acting upon them. The confirma-
ton Of Secretary Delano was the work of
a moment Most of the others were I'M
important.
Something of a breeze occurred in eau
cuss in attempting to leave Senator Pat
terson off from Committee on Foreign Re-
lations. The change must have been
very important one, and other than social
reasons must have aotusted Mr.. Sum-
ner in his vigorous defense of Mr.. Pat
terson, and his right to remain upon the
committee. Doubtless they two agree
better upon foreign policy than they do
socially.
Despite protestations to the contrary,
is evident that Senators who have COM
mitted themselves to oarelessly to Rev
enue Reform, feel, or suffer some political
ostracism. Senator Schurz has fell from
grace to the tune of being dropped from
three committees. Senator Hamlin is |
excused from all committee work in view
of his own request, and his past labors in
public life. Though but little has yet
been done, still some resolutions have
been introduced indicating that warm
work may follow. One by MIR. Sumner
bearing upon the San Domingo question,
and one by Mr.. Casserly requesting the
President to inform the Senate of the ex-
pense incurred by using United States
troops in maintaining the franchise laws
in various States. Yerteraay, by reso-
luton, the old Senate carpets were do
mated to the Orphan Asylum in this city.
IN THE HOUSE
the codification .of the postal laws has
been the main feature of legislation. By
close vote the entire chapter, relating to
the ranking privilege was struck out,