The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-13


The NEW YORK CUsToM HousE-PAuPERIsM,
PrKrY, AND PROTECTIVE TARFF.-We have been
no inattentive observers of the course OF events
under the new regime at our Custom House. 1t
has afforded no little amusement. The new
Collector is gentleman with whose character and
caliber we were not altogether unacquainted We
had opportunities of studying him some years ago.
His appearance on new field of action agreeably
excited our curiosity lie has already given quite
significant indications of the policy which he
means to adopt in this new vocation. Independent
OF the personal and philosophical interest thus ex
cited by the movements of the new Collector of this
port, little Importance attaches to his official
course, in political point of view. The collector
OF New York is quite an influential political per-
sonage He is sort of fugleman, or factotum, or
vicargerera of the dominant party in the State.
Mighty interests are consigned to his guardianship
and care. Hence the great Importance with which
all the acts of this officer OF the government are
invested and hence the propriety and necessity of
subjecting his policy to the wholesome test of a
rigid and impartial analysis.
Now, the new Collector, Mr.. Maxwell, has by
no means left us In the dark with regard to the
leading principles which to regulate him in the
administration OF his office He has entered on
the per Torrance of his work with great deal of
vigor He has made great number of removals.
In the pathetic language of Father Richie, he has
employed the "axe," the gulllotine," and all
the other awful instruments of political decaplta-
ton, with heroic determination which !has been
deaf to all entreaty. In the business of appoint
ments, he seems to have adopted several cardinal
and leading principles, which it is now our purpose
briefly to examine.
In the first place, Mr.. Maxwell has recognised
pauperlsm presenting one of the strongest possi-
bic claims to an appointment in the custom house.
The recognition of this great principle does honor
to his head and heart. lie thus discovers intel
ligent and accurate conception of the character
the great public institution with whose superln-
tendence and management he has been entrusted
for the next four years-always supposng that the
Senate of the United States have sufficient pari.
otism to confirm his appointment No one can be,
at this late day, ignorant OF the working of our
political system, as TO be uniformed with regard
the eleemosynary character of the custom houses
OF this land We are glad, then, that Mr.. Max
well has displayed a due appreciation of the
benevolent purposes to which those establish
ments can, and, of course, ought to be, devoted
With all that philanthropy which beams IN his
countenance, he has dispensed the good things of
the Custom House to the poor and needy. Not IN
VAIN have the hungry, and the ragged, and the
thirsty, and the shlvering, and the detected, and
the despairing, and the despsed and rejected of
hard-hearted wing relatives and wing friends
knocked at the door Of this compassionate almoner
of the public bounty. Pauperism, then, has very
probably been recognised by Mr.. Maxwell as fur
nishng just and legitimate ground OF appoint
mentto office
But there is another general qualification in can
didates for office in the Custom House, which has
met with special favor and that Is piety-Presby-
teran piety-piety Of the good old stamp-piety
dyed in the woel-piety which swallows the entire
Calvinistic creed without winking, and bolts the
whole Westminster Confession of Faith, as a
goumand bolts Shrewsbury in the tail end OF
the pleasant month Of September. This is decidedly
new phase in politics. Thus, sainted bankrupts
have obtained snug places in this terrestrial para
disc Thus personsges Of distinguished piety
have been retained-personages whose picty is
"known and read Of all men," in the pious regions
and places Of resort which surround the Custom
House. Thus, the profane and unbelieving have
been turned out, lest their communicating presence
might infect the pure atmosphere Of that plous
bui lding.
Last Of all, the grand element Of devotion to
protective tarifiha been adopted cardinal prin-
ciple Of action by our new Collector The new APP
praisers have been carefully selected with view to
their opinions the immortal principle of protec-
ton. Two Of them were appraisers under the ad-
mns,raton which came into power with Harrison;
and, after long and patient adherence to the ultra
faith Of that day, now find themselves in posses
sion Of their reward. Thus, them stand clearly re-
vealed the governing attributes of the new regime
Of the Custom House. AT present, the work Of de-
capitation has ceased. But IN few days-about
the fifteenth Of this nonih--another batch of re-
movals will be made. Candidates for office can
regulate themselves according to the official pro-
gramme. None but paupers, plous rascals, and
protective men need apply,