The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-05

stopping the Supplies.
We are informed by the late Secretary
Of the Treasury that, as long ago as l847,
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, Bal
timore, and other ports, are dismissing
scores of employees because Congress
withholds the necessary appropriations for
their payment The pretence is economy.
The result is inevitable loss to the treasu-
ry, independently of great injury and in
convenience to the public, and great suf-
fering among the families of the individu-
ais who are dismissed or who arc left un-
paid. There is such thing, in vulgar
parlance, as saving at the spigot to lose at
the bung-hole. We apprehend that this
is precisely what the Bitter-end econo-
mists are doing. They save few thou
sands in salaries. The work of the public
is ill-done or not done at all. Mistakes OF
all kinds occur, and, in the end, the trea-
sury loses thousand dollars where il
saves one.
And what is the economical reason
given by General BAYLY in behalf of the
Bitter-Enders, for this unprecedented cur
tailment of the public service! He thinks
that the collector of New York has too
large salary, and that $4,000 collector
would be better for the public than one
who costs $4,000. But the collector 5
salary is fixed by law. So with other sal
aries. General BAYLY thinks they are too
high. They are all fixed by law. The
Secretary of the Treasury can dismiss
one-fourth of his force in the various GUS
tom-houses, but he cannot deduct % 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 servicep In other words,
with what propriety can the Bitter-Enders
compel Mr.. MEREDITH to dismiss one
quarter of the force indispensable to the
collection Of the revenue, and look to him
for the faithful collection of the revenuel
How can Mr.. maxwell collect the
revenue at the port of New York, when he
is compelled at single swoop to dismiss
one hundred and seventy weighers, mea-
surers, 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
to defray the accruing expenses in the
course Of bis 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 indispensa-
bic to the collection Of the revenue 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 course
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 Pass
IDEsr has done his whole duty. He ha,
called the attention Of Congress TO the sub.
ject by special message. Mr.. MERE
DITH has presented TO Congress his est.
mate Of the sum indispensable TO the
faithful collection Of the revenue. Here the
responsibility Of the Administration ends.
Congress withholds the indispensable mon.
eys. Mr.. MEREDITH is compelled 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 revenue. No man car
be held bound TO do impossibiities. Th,
country will lose millions on millions ]
the system is persevered in and IN,
country will place the responsibility wher,
it belongs-upon the Bitter-end opposition
10 President TAYLOR.