Mr. Gladstone, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, at once took up the scheme warmly,[206] and subsequently carried the measure through Parliament, the machinery for giving it effect being devised by Messrs. Scudamore and Chetwynd.
SALARIES.
I have already implied an opinion that, if any of the officers in the Department are underpaid, it is rather in the higher walks than the lower. For the lower offices fit men are to be found in abundance, while for the higher there is certainly no superfluity. Many of the higher officers are, indeed, paid more than their services deserve, but this is due to a previous bad mode of promotion. On the other hand the talent, zeal, energy and integrity, with which some of the higher duties are actually filled, obtain but scanty recompense, even when every allowance is made for certainty, early income, and claim to pension, in comparison with the emoluments obtained by equal qualifications in the commercial or manufacturing world, so that there is a danger, and something more than a danger, of good men being allured from the service by offers or prospects based on the powers and qualities they have therein demonstrated. With this feeling I induced the Postmaster-General to apply to the Treasury early in 1859 for a moderate increase of salary to the Assistant Secretaries, and some few others who had distinguished themselves by efficient discharge of their duties. Sir Stafford Northcote, then Secretary to the Treasury, after calling for more information, and considering the question at an interview appointed for the purpose, obtained the adoption of this recommendation, though not to its full extent.
VOLUNTEER CORPS.
In the same year, the Volunteer movement having begun, we thought it important that a corps should be raised in the Post Office, trusting that such a move might act as an example to the Civil Service generally. Accordingly, on May 4th, I wrote to the Postmaster-General, Lord Colchester, on the subject, and obtained his ready sanction. Upon my communicating with the heads of departments, I was told that there would be readiness enough to volunteer if only the expenses could be provided for, or reduced to a low rate; that the men would willingly give their time, but thought it somewhat unreasonable that there should be a demand for their money also. The difficulty was overcome by the same means, and I suppose to about the same extent, as in other corps; but from that day to this I have been unable to understand the policy or propriety of making men pay for liberty to serve their country, a practice which must, in the nature of things, debar large numbers from enrolment. The movement was not limited to the Chief Office, and was especially satisfactory at Edinburgh.
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I have now to mention some attempts at improvement which did not succeed at the time, and yet remain to be effected.
COMPULSORY PREPAYMENT.
In my original plan, as may be remembered, I counted upon universal prepayment as an important means towards the simplification of accounts, and consequent economy of time and expense; the expedient of double postage on post payment being regarded by me as a temporary mode of avoiding the difficulties naturally attending a transition state; and though hitherto postponing the measure to more pressing matters, I had always looked forward to a time suitable for taking the step necessary to the completion of my plan. Of course, the almost universal resort to prepayment had rendered accounts of postage very short and easy, but obviously universal practice alone could render them altogether unnecessary.