If necessary the superintending Agent for unserviceable stores, whose functions have already been explained, could take upon him the sole management of the disposal of the chips at the different Yards, by which a handsome sum might be obtained annually in aid of the resources of the State, perhaps more than would be sufficient to pay the additional wages of the Artificers, while no existing arrangement in the Yards would be disturbed, nor any trouble given to the Officers, who at present fill the respective Departments in those Arsenals. VI. THE ABOLITION OF FEES AND PERQUISITES, AND AN INCREASE OF SALARIES. The total Abolition of Fees guarded by the severest penalties, is an important object in the preventive System: Until this is effected, it will be in vain to expect purity of conduct. Under this pretext, men of loose principles, in transactions with Government, seldom fail to seduce from the strict line of their duty, _avaricious, extravagant, or indigent Officers_, whose business it is to check and control the receipt and delivery of property, and to _arrange, settle, and adjust Accounts_, or _to form Public Documents_. The delusion and seduction of these Officers is not seldom effected by the supposed liberality of those whose business must pass through their hands; and they are not at all times perfectly aware of the injury that is done to the Public. It has already been observed, and it is a circumstance much to be lamented, that in too many instances, where individuals have pecuniary transactions with any of the Departments of Government, a dereliction of principle is apparent which does not extend to the general intercourse of society, and hence arises the necessity of _stronger guards_, where the Public interest is concerned; and nothing appears to be better calculated to counteract this baneful propensity in the human mind than _the total abolition of fees and perquisites_. It is said to be no uncommon thing to pay 300_l._ for a Clerk's situation in the Dock-yards, where the salary does not exceed 30_l._ or 40_l._ a year; and it is known that some who hold such situations live very expensively. It may be fairly asked, in what manner a person so situated is to reimburse himself? the conclusion is obvious, and the result has been already explained, which may perhaps be still farther elucidated by stating the following fact:-- An Officer of Justice having discovered some instances of pillage and peculation going forward in the course of the removal of old copper and other articles, from a dismantled ship of war, complained to the Store-keeper in the Dock-yard, whose province it was to have received those articles into his charge, which were conveyed elsewhere.--He replied thus: "D--n it, mind your own business.--Such things have always been done, and will continue in spite of you and me; it will, at any rate, last our time."