The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-20


The Trsasury Departments.
We scarcely believe that any one expected wher
Mr. Meredith took charge OF the Treasury Department
that be would compare iavoraby with his predecessor
YET the expectation was somewhat general that he would
bring into the public service fair and candid mind, slim
uated by earnest desire 10 establish for himself
honest fame His standing az the bar and the high repu-
aton which he had won lawyer, coupled with the
act that he had been prominent actor in the po
ca and therefore devoid of the low instincts
and passions OF partisan, gave founda-
ion for the general expecationan expectation which
We perhaps would have shared in had not we seen Mr.
Meredith willing to repudiate and renounce at the bidding
d party, the commercial creed which he had long enter
aned and with precocious suppeness assang the prnci
pies OF free trade which he had long defended for the bare
possibility Of winning political pefement His unsiaies-
manke letter 10 the meeting at Pottsvlle, which he
endeavored the passions Of the Pennsylvania
monopolsts by denouncing the bill OF 1916
ian insult 10 Pennsylvania" made us disnustful OF him,
and went far to convince us that be would show the
features Of partisan ofiener than he exhibited the
comprehensive mind Of statesman manifested those
feelings OF moderation and forbearance which many
were led 10 expect from him. The result has fully vim
BUSINESS
Secretary OF the Treasury has been such to merit the
severest condemnation, by its mingled weakness, inef-
clency and shutting evasion without any Of those marks
Of bodness which half redeem error by indicating an
upright purpose
We have neither the leisure nor the inclination to
examine the system OF commercial policy which Mr..
Meredith recommends We have, upon former and more
suitable occasions, discharged that task and there no
necessity for repeating what have said upon that topic
And besides is not present purpose TO examine Mr.
Meredihs claim 10 any OF the attributes OF statesman
for will be time enough to do that when OF his
friends partial than discreet. shall bring him for
ward as candidate for the honors Of craftsmanship
Nor do think il necessary TO point out the difference
between his professions and his PRACTICES expose his
efforts obtain character Tor moderation while he
engaged as ruhessly as Messrs Ewing and Colamer in
dismssing by the score, officers portions of the
Union. and eecng from employment not only tde-waiers
but The obscure keepers Of the light houses on our
coast, because they not supple he was when
be had, thought he had, chance 10 represent Penn
slvana in the Senate Of the United States Under the
dynasty OF the Second Washington, such conduct is moi
10 be wondered al in the head of department and it
exposure would attract but little attention in the face
the violated pledges and repudated promises Of the Che
Magistrate and Of the party which elevated Gen Taylor
to the high post which be nominally fills. There are
other acts OF Mr. Meredith Of which we purpose to
speak. 80 that the people may know something of the
Secretary of the Treasury Department
II is known 10 all who are familiar with the political
history of the last two years. that the wing party did not
dare to assa in the presence Of the people. the
oia and financial system OF the last administration The
wing party knew that the independent treasury and the
revenue bill of 1886 had been emnenily successful and
that they had warded off many evils and shed many
blessings upon the country. Mr. Meredith knew this as
well any other man in the country. Yet no sooner
be installed The head of the Treasury Department
than he commenced the task of breaking down, by ndi.
ncon and BY fahless execution. the present revenue
system. In order 10 accomplish that task, he filled the
houses every prominent point with INSCRIPTIONS
artsans, 50 that they might impose vexatons upon our
merchants and, by alleging that such vexaons made
necessary by the laws induce the public 10 demand, or
least 10 sanction. change OF the system From end Of
sescoasi 10 the other, ignorant. incompetent and
in many instances, corrupt parsans, bound together BY
their common adherence to the principle OF the monopo-
lists were placed in the custom houses and under their
auspices merchants subjected TO every species
Of vexation and annoyance. Goods which ought 70
have been permitted 10 the importers were sent to the
public warehouses; and goods which should have been
sent 10 the public warehouses permitted TO mer-
chants. producing confusion, delay, and loss So fal
this system pursued at tee port Of New York, thai
prominent merchants, who had imported 10 The Of
millions. seriously considered the project Of making their
inporatons through othef ports, in order 10 escape
the insults and vexaiions which were heaped upon
them BY Mr. Merediths employees, under the direction
Of contemplate and corrupt political clique II is in
vain for the Secretary OF the Treasury say that he did
not authorize those acts for be knew OF them and he
permitted them and he is much responsible for them
he had directed them by specific and positive crcu-
lar instructions
This is one Of the schemes Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury having for its object the destruction OF the
revenue bill of 1876 and the free-raae principles which
that bill contains But it was not the only scheme
which be has devised, having the object During
the discussion oil the limitation act in the House Of Rep
resenatives Mr. Winthrop one OF the champions of th,
administration, estimated. II mistake not the revenue
from customs at about sao,ooo0oo-a sum which ex
ceeds Mr. Merediths estimates about $e,ooo0oo. Wbef
the report Of the Secretary Of the Treasury wa
first published, we felt convinced that he had under
estimated the avails from the customs, thus creating
The impression that the present revenue laws were
moi adequate 10 the wants Of the government; and
now our conviction is strengthened and confirmed By
The estimate OF Mr. Winthrop. the spokesman of Mr.
Meredith in The House of Representatives But while