National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-01
OFFICIAL AND COMMERCIAL
HONOR

few remarks upon the pernicious and I'M
authorized custom Of Representatives in
Congress assuming to dictate the Execu-
tive appointments pertaining to their own
districts. There are other customs con-
nected with the business of the Executive
Departments which are equally objection
able. Among them is that of transacting
Department business through Representa-
tives. The Representative in Congress
should have neither influence nor power to
hasten or delay the settlement of claim
or account, or the making of an appoint
ment by virtue of his membership of either
House of Congress. 1t follows that if he
wields such power or influence, there is
something radically wrong either in the
organization or administration of the Ex-
ecutive Departments, or else the Congress
man makes an Legitimate use of the power
and influence incident to his position. If
he menaces an executive officer with any
suppoSitious vote in the event of his re-
fusa' to accede TO certain demands, it is
disgraceful attempt 70 prostitp.s liris iign
Office iSor CORRUPTION, and shows that he is
inf. 20 hold il. On the contrary, when
such menace or other threat is successful
with the executive officer, and causes him
to swerve from the ordinary line of duty,
itismade patent that such officer fails to
comprehend properly the prcrogatives of
his Office, or lacks the purity, independ-
ence and force of character to assert them.
But we are well aware that this custom
as well as the one before alluded to has OBJ
tanned such a foothold that an humble pri-
vate citizen and his interests stand little
chance of recognition at the Departments
unless backed by Congressman until the
behests of such Congressman and their
favorites have had prior attention. We
contend that such should not be the case.
In the first place Congressman should not
interfere in executive matters. They are
no portion of their representative duties,
and upon examination it will almost Ger
tainly be found that their exertions are in
favor of a constituent and possibly client,
as in opposition to the Government. If
the case is just, the executive department
ought to be able so to determine and settle
accordingly. If it is unjust no Congress
man should possess the influence to press
it through.
Executive officers may have become lax
in their duties with regard to claims and
accounts not backed by Congressional in
fuence. They may have become impolite
and uncivil to those calling to see them on
business who do not appear to be Endorsed
by some great name or power. But if so,
there should be remedy for these short
comings in the opposite direction from Sc
curing such Endorsements.
This process of doing business direct
with parties interested, or their fully
authorized attorneys, to the exclusion of
oficious go-betweens, who traffic upon
assumed political influence, is progressing
favorably in several Departments, and it is
to be hoped that it will soon be fully estab-
lished in all. A salaried Government Off
Ger has nothing to make by cheating a
claimant. He has no profit or advantage
in delaying the settlement or payment Of
an honest claim. Consequently, if De-
partment officers do their duties promptly
and efficiently, such claims should be
settled in their regular order. But when
an army Of agents are employed, and
lawyers are feed, and a Representative or
two in Congress IS brought to the front to
obtain the settlement of an account, sus-
picion is naturally and justly attracted to
it, and its merits are more closely scanned
than any other.
1t is just now the fashion for those i'm
porting merchants, who, through their
agents or attorneys, are claiming refund of
duties, to abuse Representatives in Con-
gress for bad legislation and executive off,
GERS for maladministration of our customs
laws. They are moving heaven and earth,
and Fernando Wood even, to come to their
assistance. This is all very foolish. Judge
Poland, General Butler and Senator Conk-
ling had nothing to make by their interpre-
tation and construction Of the customs laws
adopted in the revision. They had neither
personal, sectional nor class interests to be
benefited by their Interpretation. Neither
had they any personal spite to crafty by
the construction which they adopted. And
it may be added that the same thing ap-
plies to the conduct of those executive Off
GERS who are administering the laws in
accordance with their revision. The money
and its corrupting influences are all on the
other side. five may do so without being
considered impertinent, we would mildly
suggest to those Department officials who
are just now SO noisily advocating the jus
tice of the claims of those making appeals,
that their conduct subjects them to the sus-
picion of not being entirely disinterested in
their course. Their positions would indi-
cate that they should naturally be found on