Senate Committee Report Highlights Disposition of Useless Executive Department Papers,govinfo.gov Congressional SerialSet


Senate Committee Report Highlights Disposition of Useless Executive Department Papers

Washington D.C. – A significant report, designated as S. Rept. 51-1083, was submitted to the Senate on May 20, 1890, by Mr. Cockrell, on behalf of a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives. This report addresses the crucial matter of authorizing and providing for the disposition of useless papers within the Executive Departments, as mandated by an act passed on February 16, 1889.

The committee’s findings and recommendations, as outlined in this historical document, underscore a concerted effort by Congress to streamline government operations and manage archival responsibilities effectively. The act of February 16, 1889, served as a foundational piece of legislation, recognizing the need for a systematic approach to identify and deal with documents that no longer held administrative or historical value.

The joint committee, comprised of members from both chambers of Congress, was tasked with developing a clear framework for this process. Their report would have detailed the criteria for deeming papers “useless,” the procedures for their review and approval for disposition, and the methods by which such disposition would be carried out. This likely involved considerations for preservation of historically significant materials while ensuring the efficient management of current governmental records.

The submission of this report signifies a proactive step by the legislative branch to address the growing volume of documents generated by the Executive Departments. By providing a clear mechanism for the disposition of surplus or outdated papers, Congress aimed to reduce storage costs, improve accessibility to active records, and enhance the overall efficiency of governmental administration.

While the specifics of the recommendations within S. Rept. 51-1083 are not fully detailed in the provided announcement, its existence points to a pivotal moment in the history of federal record management. The principles established by this report and the enabling legislation would have laid the groundwork for future policies and practices related to the lifecycle management of government documents, ensuring that valuable information is preserved while unnecessary clutter is responsibly cleared.

This development reflects a consistent commitment to good governance and the responsible stewardship of public resources, principles that continue to guide federal agencies today.


S. Rept. 51-1083 – In the Senate of the United States. May 20, 1890. — Ordered to be printed. Mr. Cockrell, from the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, appointed in pursuance of the act of February 16, 1889, entitled “An Act To Authorize and Provide for the Disposition of Useless Papers in the Executive Departments,” submitted the following report..


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govinfo.gov Congressional SerialSet published ‘S. Rept. 51-1083 – In the Senate of the United States. May 20, 1890. — Ordered to be printed. Mr. Cockrell, from the joint committee of the Senate and House of Represent atives, appointed in pursuance of the act of February 16, 1889, entitled “An Act To Authorize and Provide for the Disposition of Useless Papers in the Executive Departments,” submitted the following report..’ at 2025-08-01 15:41. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.

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