Washington telegraph., 1850-02-27
From the Republic.
STOPPING THE SUPPLIES


We are informed by the late Secretary
OF the Treasury that. as long ago as 1S47,
he had discharged every officer or agent
not absolutely required for the public SER
vice in the collection of the revenue. We
now learn from the newspapers that the
collectors of New York, Boston, Balti.
more, and other ports, are dismissing
scores of employees because Congress
withholds the necessary appropriations
for their payment. The pretence is econ
omy. The result is inevitable loss to the
Treasury, independently of great injury
and inconvenience to the public, and
great suffering among the families of the
individuals who are dismissed or who
are left unpaid. There is such thing,
i'll vulgar palance, as saving at the spigot
to lose at the bung-hole. We apprehend
that this is precisely what the Bitter-end
economists are doing. They save few
thousands in salaries. The work Of the
public is ill-tone or not done at all Mis-
takes of all kinds occur, and, in the end,
the treasury loses a thousand dollars
where it saves one.
And what's the economical reason Civ
en- by General Bayly in behalf of the Bit
ter-Enders, for this unprecedented curtail-
ment of the public service? He thinks
that the collector of New York has too
large salary, and that So 600 collector
would be better for the public than one
who costs $6,40O. But the collector
salary is fixed by law. So with other
salaries. General Bayly thinks they are
too high. They are all fixed by law.
The Secretary of the Treasury can dismiss
one-fomth of his force in the various GUS
tom houses, but he cannot deduct 25 per
cent from salaries that are fixed by law
But how can he dismiss quarter Of his
official force, when there is not an officer
in the customs not "absolutely required by
the public service?" In other words,
with what propriety can the Bitter-Enders
compel Mr.. Meredith to dismiss one
quarter Of the source indispensable to the
collection of the revenue, and look to
him for the faithful collecti on of the rev.
enue?
How can MIR. Maxwell collect the
revenue at the port of New York, when
he is compelled at single swoop to dis
miss one hundred and seventy weighers.
measurers, gaugers, inspectors, examiners
clerks, watchmen, and other officers?-
Mr. Maxwell occupies place OF the
highest responsibility, and gives very
heavy bonds for the faithful performance
of his duties. He is not furnished with
the means of paying the force required
for the work he is TO perform. He has
already we understand, been compelled
to advance largely from his private means
course of his public duty. Never before
in the history of our Government has
such state of things occurred. Never
has there been found an opposition so
virulent and SO bent upon mischief as that
which is now arrayed against President
Taylor Never before have the means
indispensable to the collection of the rev.
enue been denied to the Administration.
The evil of this kind Of opposition is
very inconsiderable, as far as President
Taylor is concerned. He is of coulse
anxious and solicitous, for the public SER
vice. He, no doubt, in common with all
good men, laments the individual distress
occasioned by this policy. But the Pres
ident has done his whole duty, He has
called the attention of Congress to the
subject by special message. MIR. Mer-
edith has presented to Congress his esti-
mate of the sum Indispensable to the
faithful collection of the revenue. Here
the responsibility of the Administration
ends Congress withholds the indispen-
sable moneys. Mr.. Meredith is compell-
ed to dismiss officers absolutely required
for the public service, and of course could
no longer be held responsible for the
prompt and faithful collection of the reve-
nue.. No man can be held bound TO do
impossibilities. The country will lose
millions on millions if the system is per-
severed in, and the country will place
the responsibility where it belongs-npon
the Bi.ter-end opposition to President
Taylor.
MORALS OF THE BoNAPARTisTs.- Napo-
leon put away Josephine. for the sake OF
opo Of h. ooetloS and was fathPr OF