"Salaries are not really in proportion to the exigencies of the civil service." De la Briere.

"According to Monsieur Rabourdin, one hundred clerks with a salary of twelve thousand francs would do better and quicker work than a thousand clerks at twelve hundred." Clergeot.

"Perhaps he is right." The Minister.

"But what is to be done?
The machine is built in that way.
Must we take it to pieces and remake it?
No one would have the courage to attempt that in face of the Chamber, and the foolish outcries of the Opposition, and the fierce denunciations of the press.

It follows that there will happen, one of these days, some damaging 'solution of continuity' between the government and the administration." A deputy.