, 1874-03-21

Customs revenues. From their point of view there
must be good reason for such a proposal in a wear
like this, when those revenues will be most miserable.
thus bringing the undoubtedly disproportionate ex-
penses connected with the personnel of the Customs
Department into still more conspicuous relief. But
at the same time | acknowledge that it is the duty of the
officials of that Department to have the interest of the
Treasury at heart, | think it but just ~thatthey should,
as far as possible, seek to reduce the expenses Of
their Department by a reduction in the staff of off,
Gals employed in it. But it is just this constantly
expressed desire that meets with opposition on the
part of the superiors who assert that The "welfsre' of
the Department does not allow of any such reduction,
although in my opinion to say convenience would
suit better in this connection than "welfare." Don't
YOU often hear the interiors say that a smaller staff
would do? And is it not evident TO the public that
these latter are right? Do we not hear some Gus
tom House officials themselves complain that they
have nothing TO do This slate of things is not as i
ought to be-, and something might be done. | am
sure that it is just as disagreeabIe to these officials
to know that they draw salaries for which they do not
give an equivalent of work, as it is To the public to see
some of the officials Of the community so little
occupied.
/ believe the opinion becomes stronger and stronger,
that the community must pay its officials decent sala-
ries, but in return there must be a decent QUANTITY
of work for them to do. There should not be kent
a greater number than necessary. About the Gus
tom House officials it does not hold good what has
been said of other officials that their places can not
be supplied on the spot when vacancies occur, and
that, for this reason, a reserve must be kept up.
would here say, to strengthen nay Case, that in a place
like this, where so much complaint is made Of idle.
ness and its evil consequences, the Superior Authority
should take care not to have more officials than thew
can find work for. In this as in other respects, it is
not too much to exact that a good example be set.
In a little place like this, where every body knows
everybody's business, and where, consequently, it ia
pretty well known what so and so has to do, | believe.
al the same time, that | can support my assertion.
when l say, that those officials are appreciated who
work hard for the good of the community and some
times do even a little more than what is strictly their
duty. | shall not waste any time in pointing ot how
reduction can be made. 1t has been cone often enough.
1t is not plans which we want SO much as action. From
your silence on the subject, Mr.. Editor, | sun.
pose you have come to the same conclusion. In wind
ing up allow me to state my opinion gained by a ra.
Their long experience Unless the Government take the
Initiative i'll this and other matters, and say this chino
is to be so and that thing is to be so, nothing will be-
done. Ifthe Government thinks that enough is be-.
ing done by ASKING the Chiefs of Departments, the
Inspectors Of Customsf f. in, if they could not get along
say with one controller and do something more them.
selves, the answers will be no and no, and for
ever no
remain, dear Sir, yours truly,
A CITIZEN.