The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-26


The RECENT FEDERAL APPOINTMENTS In THIS
ClrY.-DuriDg the astfew months there have been
an intense excitement and keen investigation going
on among the political, and even the commercial
circles IN this city, IN relation to appointments to
office, and removals made by the general govern
ment In this region, We remember the intense
anxiety which pervaded the community, and
the dsgracefnl squabbles of the politicians and
office.seekers, before the appointment was made of
the present collector, Mr.. Maxwell. What re-
lief his appointment afforded to the public mind
In the appointment We the hand of the Presi-.
dent himself, who, outraged by the quarrels and
chickering's of the rival factions, took the matter
out of the control OF the ciques and the cabinet.
and made the appointment on his own RESPONSE
bllity, and his own knowledge of the character and
reputation of Mr.. Maxwell. We expected NO
great things Of MIR. Maxwell and, in some re-
spects, he has fulfilled antcipations; while, in
others, he has certainly disappointed all hope and
even created astonishment in many quarters.
We have DOUBT that Mr.. Maxwell is man of
high moral character, and great integrity His
character, and qualifications, and principles, are
well known to us, as they are, indeed, TO the whole
community. But he has been imposed upon in a
number OF instances, much in the same way that
the President himself has been subjected to impo-
sltion and deception; and, during the. last
five months, what do we behold Nearly two
thirds of the employees of the Custom House
have been removed, and new appointments been
made In making these removals, some acts
OF gross injustice have been perpetrated upon
worth and integrity, while nothing but inefciency
ana improperly appear to have been the recon-
mendations to favor in other instances. We are
keeping perfect and accurate table of the facts.
in connexlon with this matter, which we think Is
due to Mr.. Maxwell, the high position and charac~
ter of the President, and the public interest and
public feeling. 1t will be ready at the opening Of
| the u. s. Senate, next session.
| Before this document, however, sees the light
it is necessary to state conviction, that while
some Of the appointments made by Mr.. Maxwell
and some Of the removals also, were just and pro.
per, yet he has made others unjust and improper
| Who, for instance, can look upon that enormou.
mistake, by which Mr.. Maxwell, himself 80 long
one OF the chef criminal officers Of this city, and
possessed of SO honorable character was led
into the appointment of thief-a common thief.
to a responsible Office in the Custom House OF
New York, without indignant surprise and regret
| This very individual was actually indicted, only
short time after he received his appointment
| Again, we find that one of the miserable nstipa
tors of the series of disastrous measures, which
grew cut OF the contemplate quarrel between
Macready aud Forrest-resuting in the deplo
rable murder of twenty-five citizens and tn,
wounding of fifty others-has been also appoint
ed to responsible place in the Custom House
What could Mr.. Maxwell see, in person Of tina
description, utterly incompetent in every point o
view. by previous habits, position and character
to induce the collector to invest him with an i'm
portant Office Then, it seems, he has appointe,
pensioner from almost every newspaper Office il
the city. Such policy is, at least, questionable
and cannot be sustained on any correct principle
OF morality or justice. Several of the holders
sinecures, who had been temporarily renewed
have been, we understand, re-appointed, merel
because they happened to have some connexio
with the degraded, demoralized, pot-house porto
of the Sunday press of the city.
We mention these facts and these views to-da,
briefly and generally; but we shall enter into fu
historical, and critical examination of all thes
matters, and point out to Mr. Maxwell, who is
man Of heightened morality and strict integrity, IN
manner in which he has been imposed upoa, in th
discharge Of some Of the duties of his Office Beior
we dismiss the subject far the present, we ma
notice the glazing neeect Of public duty exhiblte
by an editor Of a newspaper, who has been al
pointed 10 the Office Of Naval S,orekeeper, q
Brooklyn. That individual is charged with III
care Of several millions of public property, and We
instead Of attending to the duties Of his Office, b
continues TO indulge In all those feelings of jet
lousy, meanness and spite, which have unlfcrma
marked his contemplate journal, for the las, two
three years.