The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-25
p u s Il 5 & II r Il.


Custom Hsass.
WAsHrxo row, Feb. q, 1872
In the Senate this morning. after the disposition OF
the morning business, Mr.. CLAy's resolutions to
abridge the power Of the Executive, were taken up
and Mr. WOODBURY. made an able and elaborate ar
gument in opposition. Mr.. CLAy stated some days
ago that he determined press these resolutions
to vote, but the impression now is that they will
be laid on the table. 1t is said that hardly dozen
Senators are in favor Of the proposition.
The principle and general features Of the admins
tration scheme Of faance are daily gaining favor
among the ra.k and file of both parties in the House
Of Representatives, and the Senate also The gene
raj sentiment Of the people. and their expectation
that the question viii be- settled at the present SEES
sion is beginning have its effect on Congress, and
the opinion is gazing ground that the power OF the
leaders on both sides will soon be insufficient to con-
troll majority of the Houses Many persons who
were expected to break ground against it, have ex-
pressed determination to give it support. In
spite Of al the opposition which was threatened on
the part of the ultra wings and locofoces, may yet
pass The sober second thought'' is not without
its influence. Indeed, it is insuHerabe that the
country should bekept in state ofinquetude, f not
Distress by the insanity Of few politicians whose
consequence is derived from their opposition to
every thing. ~
II is admitted on all hands that majority in both
branches of Congress anxious to settle the vexed
question Of the currency at the present time and it
can hardly be doubted that, if left to act indepen
denty and without regard to the Interior designs Of
the leaders on either side, the Cabinet proet, with
some insiderable modfca cations, would pass into a
law. But Mr.. CLAY, on the one hand, and the de-
mocratic presidential aspirans in the Senats on
the other, will resist it with al their might
These men all have common object in view
but they expect to accomplish it in different ways
They all desire to bring the administration into dis
repute, and to break down President Tyler. The
MACS, both in Congress and among the people, do
not sympathise with those ambitious men and it is
to become question Of supremacy between the
leaders in Congress. and the rank and file who have
hitherto acted under their guidance.
Mr. CLAY, who always mistakes public senti-
ment, and gathers his opinions of the popular will
from the specializing politicians by whom he is
rounded, will endeavor to thwart the patriotic in
teatlons OF the President, and the honest unamb
Stlous men in both Houses Of Congress, because he
thinks the difficulties and embarrassments of the
country will eventually become exasperated, if
there shall be no legislation on the subject that the
people will come to the conclusion that a National
Bank is indispensable He expects this state Of the
public mind to be produced in season for him to
mount his old hobby and ride into the Presidential
chair in 1874.
On the other hand, Mr.. Buchanan, Mr.. Calhoun,
Mr. Benton, and Mr.. Wright, who represent the
interest of Mr.. Van Buren,, all view the matter ina
totally different light from Mr. Clay. They have
no apprehension Of such state of things as he an
ticipates. They see that the tendency of the bank
couptions which daily disclosed and the distress
consequent upon them, the destruction ofthe whole
banking system--to utraism and to hard money
exclusively. But none Of them view the matter
either practically or philosophically. They all
mistake both the design and effect of the present
popular movement. They are not sufficiently i'm
pressed with the fact that the public uneasiness and
impotence springs from desire to see the question
settled-to see some regular, permanent system
adopted, to which the people can con-
form their business arrangements. Neither
Of the gentlemen named has the sagacity to
lead of in favor Of the exchequer others secure in
part the credit Of composing the currency question.
All fear the popularity Of the measure, but one Of
them dares 10 stop and assist in its passage for fear
the others will 60 on with the movement and take
the democratic party with them. ft
In this state Of thiags, the people owe it to them.
selves, speak to their representatives. in tones of
thunder and in language that cannot be misunder-
stood. If there is not Independence and manness
enough in Congress to s2urn the dictarion Of nte-
ssted party leaders, and act in conformity with the
popular will, then the people must instruct the repre-
entative body. There is reason to hope that the
power Of the leaders will be broken, and the exche
quer established despite their opposiiion but the re-
suit is yet doubtful. and decisive manifestation
would have the best possible effect.
go far No he pvo,;dant ~,
the defeat postponement OF the fiscal agent would
be the most fortunate thing that could happen to
him. If the measure rejected, it will be the result
Of faciious combination Of elements now hostile
to each other. uniting to embarrass the Admnistra-
ton. The consequence would be, the President
would 60 to the people on strong and popular is
sue and to the intrinsic merits of the question would
be superadded the indignation inspired by the un-
worthy and selfish opposition OF men who had OBJ.
jects Of their own to subserve.
Its said that the Custom-house commission is
now nearly ready 10 report. Governor Poindexter
labors from 10 to every day, and dictates to his
amanuenss with the precision of Sir Walter Scott
himself The public will be astonished at the de-.
velopments which will be made. The conduct OF
the late collector and his worthy adjuncts will sarlle
even the most apathetic, and Mr. Van Buren, him.
selfwnot escape the responsibility ofkeepine such
an officer in place. Ni'
Some developments in relation to the transactions
IN the lighthouse department, have recently Ibeen
made. 1t is said that an investigation has been made
and it is ascertained that thousands of dollars are an
nualy thrown away in the port Of New York II is
said that monstrous abuses have been discovered
ia the vicinity Of certain Illuminated points
that buildings have been put up to accommo-
date parties Of PLEASURE and the lights themselves
neglected, and that picnic parties have formerly
been in the habit Of going down the bay on Satur-
day to blow out Sunday at the expense Of the PEG.