The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-24
State Dept in
 Washington's Day
Growth of Government
 Given Clear Revelation

Nothing illustrates more clearly the great growth of the United States since George Washington's day than the enormously increased activities of our government. As one evidence of this, the Division of Information and Publication of the United States George Wash ington Bicentennial Commission points 10 the expansion in the United States Department of State since it's beginnings as a committee on Foreign Affairs of the Continen- tai Congress.
 The first secretary of that com mittee, which might be called our first foreign secretary was the fam ous Thomas Paine who wrote the lines, "These are the times that try mems souls" The state of Colonial finances at the time is reflected in the fact that congress was able to offer him the modest salary of sev- enty dollars q month.
 This was in 1777, and Paine held the position for two years. At the end of that period congress drop ped him for publishing a state pa per which 1t thought he should have kept confidential. After that the Continental Congress decided to manage its own foreign affairs. It soon found itself in confusion and chaos, however, as a result of clumsy committee handling of a rapid expansion in its dealings with other countries. Accordingly, in 1781, Robert Livingston or New York was made secretary of the Congressional Committee on For eign Affairs. He received the re- spectacle salary of $4,000 a year., and was given powers closely ap- preaching those of 6 present day secretary of state.
 To Livingston goes much of the credit for skilful management of our diplomacy during the later per- iod of the revolution, but in two years time Livingston complained to congress that his living expenses were $3,000 more than his yearly diary. Besides, he was honored with election as chancellor of New York, and under pressure of this lure to another field. he resigned. Another period of chaos in our for eign relations ensued, until John Jay assumed the duties of foreign secretary, with still larger powers. WnlCn ulCiuucu duehOiity No ohiO treaties with other nations.
 Finally, in 17S9, the constitution having been adopted and the new United States having been formally esta blished, congress passed the act creating the department of state as we know 1t to-day. President Washington appointed Thomas Jefferson the first secretary of state, but as Jefferson was away at the time, 1t was six months before he assumed the duties of his office.
 To-day the department of state receives from congress an appro- priation of more than $17.000,000 whereas the first annual budget submitted by Secretary of State Jefferson called for an outlay of $8,O08.50. At this almost amusing ly moderate cost to the country. the department of state under Jeffer- son ran almost everything. In Jeff ferson's own words, the department lem braced the whole domestic ad- ministration. war and finance ex- cepted."
 The secretary of state then trans mitted all commissions to federal officers appointed by the president. except military commands. He kept the great seal of the United States, and promulgated all the laws pass- ed by congress. He even ran the