Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-24
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS-
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.
SENATE.
The bill to reimburse States for interest.
| ETC., on their war loans was referred to the
| Committee.
| Mr.. Trumbulls bill to relieve Congress
men from importantly, and preserve the indie
pendence of the departments of the govern
ments, was taken up, and Mr.. Morton sub
mitted, aud had read, communication from
the heads of the departments, setting forth
that there is no excess of clerical force in any
of the departments; that in some instances
| there was an increased demand, and as a rule
the clerks were attentive and competent.
Mr.. Trumbull said instead of attacking the
heads of the departments, as enormously rep
resented by Mr.. Morton, he only objected to
the system which had compelled such a
state of things to exist. Under such system
he believed the heads of the departments
could not have done better than they had.
Mr.. Trumbull also alluded to the useless and
superiuous employees retained in the New
York Custom House through political in
fluence; and after quoting few remarks in
debate by Mr.. Sherman on May 8th, 1870, to
the effect that one half of the department
clerks could be cut off and yet enough be left
| to do the business. He called upon the Sem
tor from South Carolina (Robertson) to state
his knowledge of the subject.
| Mr.. Robertson stated that business fire.
quently called him to the departments. Those
with which he was most familiar were the
Treasury and Post Office Departments, and
that in the rooms he visited there were not on
an average, one-ffth of clerks present actu-
ally at work, but were generally engaged
either in conversation or in reading news
papers. In the Post Office Department one
| clerk was drawing pay regularly, without
having been at the department for twelve
months. Upon complaining of this to the
head of the department. Robertson said he
was informed that the man was kept in the
place by political influence, though that Off
cial admitted the thing to be wrong. To this
| Robertson's reply was, that if the clerk was
not put to work he would make an effort in
the Senate for an official enquiry, SO as to
apply ia remedy whereby worthy men, who
were willing to work, should not longer be
deprived OF Government employment by those
who do not give any equivalent for teeir COM
| pensation.
Mr.. Wilson in advocacy of the bill argued
| that BY preventing Senators from committing
themselves in advance to the nominees, it
twould secure a more intelligent and con-
sciencious feeling of the merits of executive
nominations. He attributed the responsible
ity of the present system upon the idea of
to the victors belong the spoils " of the
| democratic patty, by whom it had been inau-
gurated in 1929 He spoke of the necessity
of proper remedy for what had been called
the Presidents power of maxim appointments.
Instead of being exclusive, it had been prac-
tically monopolized by Senators and Rep
| resentatives. He said the force was suscept-
| able of slight reduction and it should be
made. By competitive examination system,
officers would be appointed for number of
years, and the practice OF throwing one man
| out of office to make way for another who
could help carry Congressional District
would be stopped. The grievance of the re-
publican party, in the main, he thought was
due to this practice. 1t was time the mis-
taken idea that government officials could
make or unmake majorities was abandoned,
and they taught to mind their own business
| and leave the government affairs to the peo-
| pie.
Mr.. Nye said the bill was founded upon the
| idea that Congressman were dishonest, and
| the idea had SO far received Congressional
countenance and support that to get sheet
| of paper, box Of matches, or penknife, a
members had to have a written order. He
| gave notice that after other Senators who de-
sired to speak had been heard on the bill, he
| would move to lay it on the table.
After further remarks on the bill by Mr..
| Cameron, the Senate without disposing of the
| subject, went into executive session, and soon
after adjourned
House.
| Mr.. Dawes, of Mass, introduced joint
resolution for the appointment of a Commits
| sioner of Fish and Fisheries of the coasts and
| lakes, which was passed-127 to 49,
motion to suspend the rules and pass the
bill to extend to all States lately in rebellion
the provisions of the act of July 4th, 1868,
| limiting the jurisdiction of the Court of
| Claims, failed-l25 to 67, and House then
adjourned
SUMMED MT. WASHINGTON.