New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-14
Observation-Disclosures
THE TASK BEFORE THE COMMITTEE IN.
VESTIGATING EXECUTIVE DEP ARTNIENTS.
ABUSES WHICH HAVE ENLISTED SINCE TIE
FORMATION OF TIE GOVERNMENT
PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO RE
FORM THEM
fBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE

PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO RE
FORM THEN.
fBY TELEGRAPH TRnrXE.l
Washington Nov. 13.-The magnitude of the task
imposed upon the joint commission authorized by the
last Congress inquire into the status Of the laws
organizing the executive departments, the rules and
regulations in force and the methods of doing bust
ness therein. and to report the results of its in
yestigatons to Congress with view to such
changes as may be found necessary in order TO Sc
cure a simpler and more efficient. well as more
economical administration of the same hardly
be overestimated and the urgent necessity and
immense Importance of having the work well and
thoroughly done will be keenly realized and fully
appreciated not only by the heads of the several
executive departments and by all intelligent public
officials but by Senator's and Representatives and
the great number of private individuals who are
brought into business relations with the Govern
The necessity of reform in the business methods
Of these departments began to be felt within hve
years after the adoption of the Constitution and on
May % 1884, elaborate report on the subject was
submitted to the House of Representatives under a
resolution adopted by that body. Another report
of similar nature submitted on July .. 1885,
and third on January 2S. 1901. On April %. 1892
a fourth report submitted to the same body
in obedience to a resolution requiring a special COM
mittee TO investigate and report whether moneys
drawn from the Treasury have been faithfully APP
piled to the objects for which they were appropri-
counted for. and to report likewise whether any
further arrangements necessary to promote
economy. enforce adherence TO legislative restric-
tons and secure the accountability of persons in
trusted with the public money"
THE FIRST SENATE JUNKET'
This report was accompanied by a letter from
Albert Gailatin. Secretary of the Treasury. Among
the facts forth in that report that Mr.
Tracey member of the Senate had received
rowing commission from the head of an executive
department visit and inspect Indian agencies
trading posts and other Government establishments
on the Northwestern frontier and the Indian
frontier in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia, for
which service he received in addition to his salary
as Senator IS a day and his travelling expenses.
He was thus empoyed from June l6 TO November
l6 1902 and received sl.232 account of services
and s75S account of travelling expenses the lat
ter showing that his Investigations had been con-
fined TO The posts at Pittsburg Pressure Isle.
Niagara, Detroit and Michilimacinac" This appears
be the first record of Senatorial junket' at
the expense of the National Treasury and the COM
mittee remarked that the employment and pay
rnents were contrary to the Constitution
On February i5 1909. Mr.. Gallatn, who still re-
manned at the head of the Treasury Department.
made report TO the Committee on Ways and
Means In obedience to resolution of the House of
Representatives on 1.-The system and methods of
public accounts In 1871 in obedience TO a reso-
luton of the Senate, report was submitted on "A
plan to insure the annual settlement of public
accounts in which embodied the statements
of the Secretaries of State Treasury. War and
Navy in regard the systems and methods then
existing, together with suggestions and recommen-
dations for their Improvement. One of the results
of this report was the creation Of four additional
auditorshps in the Treasury Department Among
other things shown by report submitted to the
House of Representatives in 1873 the fact that
the accounts of Edmund Randolph. the second
Secretary Of State who held that office from De-
cember 1895. to March. 1871. showed heavy balance
in favor of the United States to recover which
suit had been brought, and that the accounts OF
his successor, Secretary Pickering, who held the
Office until May 3. 1890. still unsettled after
the lapse of twenty-eight years.
GREAT INCREASE IN DEPA RTMENT WORK.
In May. 1892 the Senate adopted resolution re-
auestng the President to cause to be prepared and
laid before the Senate at the beginning OF the next
session Of Congress "a plan for the reorganiza-
ton of the Treasury Department with view TO
simplifying the forms of settling End keeping ac-
counts, and of rendering them more inteiligioe
and abolishing some of the subordinate branches
and reducing the number of clerks in the executive
departments" Secretary Woodbury's reply 10 TINS
resolution which was dated May 5, 1854, COM
prehensive and elaborate document. when con-
tanned valuable suggestions ana reconmehla-
tons The total number of clerks, messengers
watchmen and other employees in the executive de-
partments in Washington at the date OF t1at re-
port was 3+4 and the total amour; paid In sa!aiie"
10 all officers and clerks and other employees IN the
executive departments Of the Government In WASH
ington from the President Of the United states
down in 1892 was only si49605. while the total IN
cidental expenditures amounted 10 only sllr'os In
MAY 1899. the total number of employees in the
executive departments and Offices in Washington
not including the officers and employees OF inc
District Government, about 1900 or ABOUT
forty-six times great as II was sixty years ago.
when Congress trying to reduce It,
That the report Of Secretary Woodbury. did not
lead to speedy or satisfactory results Is indicated
by the fact that in January, 1897 in obedience to
resolution of that body. another elaborate report
was submitted TO the House OF Representatives. on
s,nnlifv,ng the system of public accounts" Since
that time a number of other reports on the sub
feet have been made to Congress and many com
missions have been appointed by the heads OF the
respective departments, from time 10 time' 10 IN
ves,igate existing faulty. cumbrous and expensive
,,.,hodo NJ ,rsnsactng the public business. but
comparatively little good has been accomplished
Not enough in fact. to counterbalance new fau's
and abuses that have been constantly thrustihs
themselves into the departmental service why
,h,s roc h.on On Secretary Foster of the Treasury
Department clearly explained in his annual report
for 1892, when he said:
DIFFICULTY OF INsTITUTING REFORM
"In the nature OF things 1t is impossible for com
rn,t,ees Of Congress- with other duties and obi
cations as to committee and department. WORN
pressing upon its members TO give their eh'"e
time TO study of this great problem ana the Sa'''e
,s ,r,,a 40 IN a commission composed of officers
and clerks In the Treasury Department. 1hey nave
their own current work to perform. MOST Vi j"
,mnortant d,s members being selected on account
OF their ability and efficiency which cannot be
neglected postponed or transferred ana theh
trained and accustomed they are to existing
methods 1t Is but natural to suppose that 'hes
would be slow TO recommend radical changes
therein
Secretary Foster therefore strongly recommended
the appointment of non-partsan COMMISSION
limited in its existence to a period OF say
THREE years. organized exclusively Tor the pur-
nose OF examining into existing methods OF business
and ,vork in the several executive departments
more especially to the disbursement OF pubic
money and the examination, adjudication ana
ea,.,ar.rt ~ puhlic accounts. with the view OF