The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-12

10 be seen. We have taken some pains 10 enquire
into the cause OF the rumor that Mr.. Lawrence
either had resigned or would resign, and have as
certained the following facts
The law recently passed by Congress, (Thureday,
February 5h,) limiting the compensation Of Collec-
tor 20 the maximum of SIX thousand dollars, has
gone into effect Senator Dix remarked, on its pas
sage that the duties of the Collector Of the port Of
New York are exceedingly arduous and response
BILE" They are more-they are encountered at
much pecuniary risk. ANY false movement or erro-
neous decision, no matter how good may have been
the intention, subjects the Collector to lawsuits
which may go with him to the grave Yet the
above law allows him no extra compensation for
encountering these risks and hazards. In assuming
the office, the Collector is obliged to give security
IN $500 ,0O0-or more fully, thus -
Collectors salary $4,000 bonds 100000
Naval Omcsrsdo. 5000. -. ;. do. 10000
surveyors do. $500. do. 5000
The Collector not only guarantees his own nteg-
rty and correctness, but he is obliged to guar
anty, in heavy penalty, the integrity and cor
rectness Of numerous subordina.es, variously
concerned in receiving and in disbursing mo-
ney, and in the charge of merchandise on ship.
board, in transit, and in public stores. Howe
yer willing and anxious the Collector may be
to discharge his duty faithfully, it is not TO be
supposed that with nothing to gain, and every thing
to lose, he would authorize Inspectors to run any
unreasonable risks in making seizures, where an err
would subject the Collector alone to personal Pc
cuniary loss BY this law, it is that the salary
of the Collector only exceeds that OF the Naval OFF,
Ger $1,000, while the Naval Officers bonds but
one-twenteth the amount of the Collectors. The
Naval Officer is but check upon the Collector-nor
are we advised that he ncurs any pecuniary respon
sibilities, or risks of any kind, disconnected from
the ordinary duties Of his clerks and deputies. He
receives no moneys-disburses no moneys-handes
no moneys. On the other hand, the Collector is
liable in various ways and especially to be sued by
importers for excess OF duties exacted-and for
which he is held personally responsible, until, as
possible contingency, he may or may not be indem-
nlfied by the department. In making seizures,
prosecutions, &c, great pecuniary hazards are in
CURED, tor which, heretofore, share of the fines,
penalties, and forieitures, have constituted com
pensation. Now there is none.
But this snot all. The passage of Senator Dx's
warehouse bill will very greatly increase the duties,
cares, and responsibilities of the Collector Where
Is to be found the motive to incur them What
merchant, or business man, who can in Wall street
or in Pearl street, command a bona Jhde (not
. straw" bonds) credit of 5000, OOO-we say, where
is the man, in his sound senses, who will, under
600 penalty, take the risk not only of safely
collecting, and correctly dsbursng 500, 900 900 an
nualy but also Of safely warehousing merchan-
disc to ten times that amount-and all for the paltry
compensation OF Sc, OOO-al of which, in the course
of the year, would probably vanish, in the way of
official intercourse political assessments &C., &C.
You may find some asplrant who would accept and
take the chance OF creating an equivalent in pollt
cal capital-or who would accept equivalent contri
buttons as conditions from those whom he ap-
pointed But we venture to say, that no gentleman
of Mr.. Lawrence's character, capacity, and integ.
rity, is the man.
Under the administration Of Mr.. Lawrence, the
public at large may repose confidence, not only
that the chief revenue of the country will be safely
collected and correctly dsburse!, but that the Gus
tom House will not be administered as an en-
CINE for private and political purposes. And as
the Senate has delayed his confirmation for the ex
press purpose of diminishing his compensation,
it is to be hoped, when they come to act upon the
warehousng bill, they will the propriety Of add
ing to it clause which will give adequate compen-
saton to the officer who discharges the duties which
it shall create 1t Is to be hoped this city is not to
be again thrown into the excitement and political
disturbance consequent upon the resignation Of our
present Collector.
MARTIAL Law IN New YoRK.-Our readers will