The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-03-07


The RECENT CUSTOM HOUSE, FRAUD -Talman,
who committed the recen, frauds on the Custom
House, has escaped, hut he has left few facts
and certain flavor behind him, bearing very badly
on the management Of the Custom House under
its present regime. We have received several
articles discussing the mode in which these frauds
were committed, and they concur in the general
belief that they were principally effected through
the bad management Of business in that estab-
| lishment.
The truth is, the more we see, and the more
that is developed Of the management Of affairs in
| the Custom House, under the present Collector
| and his system, the more we are satisfied the
| government committed great error in assigning
to Mr.. Maxwell the management of that establish
| ment, which is unsuited to his experience, his
profession, or his previous life Mr.. Maxwell
should have been made District Attorney of the
United States, in place of Prescott Hall. In that
capacity he would be valuable legal officer
prompt and strict in his duty, according to the
u;most verge of the letter and spirit of the law.
In his present position of Collector, he not only
obstructs business, makes bad appointments, and
/
| gives the whole complexion and the sinuoslties
which are now suitable for District Attorney
conducting troublesome case in the Tombs, and
starting all sorts of legal points in the prosecution
| of criminals.
| The Custom House, under its present manage
ment, is conducted like huge Court OF Sessions,
where the merchants are considered criminals,
wanting to cheat the government every day, and
| IL ,latt d md
no questions asked, until they are owth The black
mail in their pockets. ATvopos, Mr.. Maxwell
also still continues In Office a number of snecu-
rists, who eating out the of the govern
ment, without performing any service, Has M.
M. Noah yet been removed, who has been enjoy
ing, for several years, snug salary, for doing
nothing, or little or nothing! ~
The LATEST INTELLIGENCE FROM CENTRAL
AMERIcA- Our readers will find in another column
some interesting news from Central America, con-
frming the surrender of Tigre Island by the Bri-
fish. Mr.. Chatfeld the British Charge, appears,
is est inrentus, and it supposed that either
he has been recalled by his government, or has
abdicated his post in consequence of his acts con-
nected with Tigre Island not having been counte-
nanced by the British Admiral in those seas 1t is
supposed, however, that he really had instructions
from home to make the SEIZURE. The insurrection
IN Guatemala, it appears, still continues.
The Opera Campaigns-nsretzek Compli-
mentary BeneAt Tonight.
An important and interesting event 10 to take place
to night, at the Aston Place Opera House. The COM
plimentary benefit Of Mr. Max Maretsek will bring to-
gether all the fashionable society Of the metropolis
review Of the past operatic campagnss full Of brilliant
points, flashes Of animation, lights and shadows, and
winds up with something like desirable realization Of
the ideal structure In which 20 many have been
gagged and in which several persons have VIGOROUSLY
and signally failed About four years ago, after the
frequent ntercommunication with the European world
had become NO longer . matter OF wondering sdnra-
tion the luxury ease and wealth Of New York began
to sigh for all the possible delights and enjoymsnts Of
fashionable life In the old countries Of the earth Act
Ing upon this general feeling not then ready to accept
short Of the Of enjoyment 10 be OBJ
tanned abroad several capitalists with the ssalous Mr.
Morgan at their head conceived the idsa OF preparing
the great headquarters Of beauty and fashion and
displayed to the public In the very heart Of the fash
iorahle section Of the city, the Aston Place Opera
Bouse MIR. Morgan had prohted by the downfall of
MIR. falmo. who had sspired to become busting Ne
poleen In the realms Of song He had the artist
col cook, ct expense Of eighty TO hundred thou
ssnd DOLLARS marsha HIS forcss out Of the curious end
motley materials TO be gathered from the Italian resi-
dents Of the metropolis, and had how utterly In
competent he TO the renred sud delicate
treats Of the great masters Of music. The worthy,
though misguided Pamo after few skirmishss In the
Geld wisely retired the Elba Of the Kitchen there TO
receive the homage which he had always sxsctsd In
that sphere from his numerous admirers. MIR Morgan
and his cosdutors to gain ground in vain, for
considerable period The whole thing series Of
Transitions Ill directed, confused, and uncertain. The
small managerial captains sanqurico and Patti, well
meaning and sniabe, were wholly united 10 cope
with the adverse tendency Of circumstsnces They
sdvsnced-wrre Iepulsed-rallied and advanced, and
we're again repulsed, TIL entire defeat overwhelmed
them, before their attempt at campaign was CON-
pleted.
In the next u ovement- Il Vas thought there would
be success beyond all question. The brother Of Mr..
Fry, eonposer Of considerable merit and talent was
brought forward, backed BY funds, and hopes were
centred uponl him a. general equal to oil emsr-
eenciss Miserable disappointment soon manifested
Itself In every quarter. MIR Fry had no well defined
purpose, rushed madly In eccentric course,
pu,hed his way into difficulties, instead Of and
around them quarrsled with the pres disagreed With
the public, kicked mp . row with his artists Loot
large Of money aid ingloriousy retired from the
field Of action Al this stage, the very singular se
ments Of fashionable society in unsettled state
ss to the future However the crisis ". % peculiar,
the occasion demanded much nerve, assistance aud
sympstby, that resolved TO throw as much Of our
influence % possible into the tide Of battle for the
purpose Ct deciding the question - to the possibility
Of victory. The nature Of that influence lie matter
Of history. We Joined with MIR. Morgan In his at
tepps to consolidate his pover fer some useful aud
practical end end the next campaign presented NOR
encouraging sspeet.
The Opera committee now saw the necessity Of
drawing OF their white Kids and Of putting their hands
.n.rs,,csy to work. while their heads ssre supplied
with vholesone counsels They looked about for some
one calculated to play the part Of Napoleon In earnest
ems one who could mould the various lotteries Of
fsshiorsbie life into something less anomalous than
those amusing divisions, reserved distinctions, and
HYDRA beaded excreeeepses which family designate the
vet rittsn and unpctursd phases OF society Such