The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-10


copper and zinc. n thoroughly free trade
tariff were propos ed, we should not demur to
i; but While the principle Of protection to home
industry iii operates, we caa hardly conciiiate
sse adniiss m of these metals free while iron is
to be projected at This moment vast sums Of
money are being invested in the opening of
copper and zinc mines; If any interests require
protection in their infancy it is these. Watches,
also, which must still be considered objects
Of luxury, can afford to pay daty. Wines,
which now produce nearly million year
Of revenue, are proposed 60 be admit
ted free. We think this is mistake.
First, because we should like to see the
culture Of the vine attempted in those portions
of the country to which it is congo NAL and,
secondly, because the iEaport Of wines, being
not only objects Of luxury but very question
able benefits i'll any shape, ought not to be en-
coura2ed by privileges. We take it for grant
ed that, as incompetence is exceedingly rare in
all wine growing countries, the culture of vines
here would not operate against the cause Of
temperance. Drunkenness feeds on foreign
liquors shut them out, either by a heavy spe-
cifc duty, or, as last resort, by an al raorese
duty of 100 per cent, and half the work of the
Maine law will be achieved. Some articles
which ought to have been included in the
free lst have been omitted by Mr.. Guthrie.
Foremost among these is sugar. The imports Of
sugar during the year ending 3Oth June, 1883
amounted to nearly fifteen millions OF dollars,
on which the State levied some tour and half
millions. Now if this tax amounting to some
eighteen cents per head on our population, were
abolished, the relief would be seDsIbly felt by
the poorer classes Sugar should be declared
free. Coal also, which constitutes an important
item in the expenditure of families in the North,
should likewise be included in the list.
It would require more space than we can
afford, TODD full justice to this important item
Of the report Let us pass on at present. to it's
other features. Mr.. Guthrie has discontinued
the secret inspectors Of the Custom House.
This is step in the right direction,
evincing manly courage on the part Of the
Secretary and an honest desire for reform.
1t has been long enough the practice
to appoint newspaper editors and other politi-
cal friends, styled, for FORMS sake, secret in
spectorships. Such men as Mr.. Briggs and others
have long enjoyed these comfortable pensions,
and we shouldn't wonder if Isaiah Rynders
turned out to be secret inspector Of the Post
Office. The abolition of this system of corrup-
ton speaks well for Mr.. Guthrie The same
remarks apply to his refusal to confirm the
recent appointments Of supernumerary officers
Of the revenue service.
Mr.. Guthrie's provisions for the safe-keeping
Of the public moneys are worthy of ah praise
A notable improvement in this branch, intro
ducee by him, is the rul, obliging all collectors,
dishursing agents, DC, to render their accounts
monthly instead Of quarterly and ordering
that these accounts shall be settled within the
month after they are rendered, instead Of
standing open for three. six and nine months.
as formerly. This system will save the coun-
try great deal of money. The reforms about
to be introduced into the system Of booLkeep.
ing and registry in the Treasury department
are also calculated to render this branch of
the public service more efficient. Credit is
likewise due to him for the improvements he
has established in the Auditors department.
especially in that ofce to which the War de-
partment's accounts are referred Finally for
We must necessarily be brief at present, it il
creditable to Mr. Guthrie that he has drawn the
attention Of Congress the necessity oftakiag
measures for the maintenance Of the public
faith towards the Texan iondholders.
On the whole, the report is emincntly salts
factory, and will do the Secretary and the
country credit. In thus attempting to do it
justice, we cannot refrain from inaairing how
the author of such document could possibly
be also the writer Of the letter to Judge Bron-
son; or. to come closer to the point. how can it
be that man having mind enough to draw up
such report as this, could have SO little nerve
as to be unable to prevent contemplate spols |
politician like Marcy leading him by the nose,
and holding him up for SO many weeks to the
Odium of the people?
ORGANIZATIONS TO ABOLISH ARIsroCRAcY AND
MONARCHY IN ENGLASD.-We learn that ex-
President Tyler and SIrs. Tyler are now in this
city, by which we are reminded of the letter of
hat lady in reply to the missive of the Duchess
Of Sutherland and the other notablites of the
eminine gender, who assembled at Stafford
House to hurl o firebrand into our midst
We well remember the effect Of Mrs Tyler's let
ter in England and all over Europe, for we were
there at the time. twas translated into half
dozen of languages, and it produced the most
powerful influence in favor of democracy and
democratic institutions, and against olgarchy
aud despotsm Of every kind But
this letter however good, is not enough. To
up by organizations not only Of men, but Of
aoies organizations to abolish monarchy
ard aristocracy in England, and to elevate the