Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-03-11
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

Inc 6Toposoo heSuIon VI tu0 l8flu mas at
length commenced to attract the attention of
statesmen in legislative public life at this point
TO which it is justly entitled. We have reason
to believe that the great and rapidly in
creasing demand for custom house agents Of all
sorts, occasioned by the enormous increase in
the number of importers among us, which has
taken place Of late years, and the other diff.
culties and embarrassments superinducing the
current complication of the administration Of
our customs collecting department, growing
out of this ut-of-proportionate increase in the
number of importers, have done their share in
generating disposition to simplify our system
Of duties in accordance with Secretary Guth-
rie's Recommendation.
Thirty years ago. ships came from foreign
PORTS consigned for the most part, each to
single house. While the number of ships so
arriving have increased in ratio with the in
crease in our population, and in the develop,
ment Of our resources, the number of con-
signees for each ship has increased, perhaps
one hundred fold. Thus, in former times but
one manifest was necessary to be overhauled
Cat the custom house, in connection with the
arrival and discharge of each vessel; whereas
at this time perhaps one hundred are to be so
disposed of. 1t will be recollected that, then,
the business of an importing merchant was an
isolated pursuit followed only by a few rich
man, as it were. Now in the large cities, even
! retail dealers in every branch of business, do
their own importing. We presume that even
in Washington there arc one hundred business
houses who import direct from Europe, through
agents in shipping cities. We state these facts
| 70 enable our readers to understand the i'm
mense accumulation of demands on American
custom house officers, which has taken place
Of late. Now, the consequence is, that Con-
sress must either simplify our system of duties
and the current rules governing the transae-
ion of business at AMERICAN custom houses, or
go on doubling the number of custom house
employees everywhere about once in FIVE years.
The English Government are well aware of
the changes made necessary in their customs
administration department, by the change in
the system Of importation referred to above,
| which has been as marked on the other side of
| the Atlantic, as in the United States. They
are now vigorously striving to effect this pur-
pose of simplifcation at which Secretary Cru,
| thrie is understood to aim so earnestly in his
recommendation in this connection
The Disabilities Of the Navy.-''One inter
| ested In the we'll being of the service writes
| US, pointing out, in strong language, the fact,
4 hot for fho offio Of =,
concerned, it is suffering quite as much from
the connection of the ''coast survey with it.
as from its quasi Identification with the s'ocean
| mail steamer business. He complains that
| when officers are once ordered to duty in con-
| nection with the coast survey, that's usually
about the last the Navy has of them, practi.
cally-the short cruises and full pay which
| they enjoy in the coast survey, setting them
| violently against doing their legitimate share
of sea duty in the regular naval service of the
United States. He mentions many officers,
| who, having been thus employed, have been
ordered to regular naval duties without avail;
as they have heretofore found excuses, OF
means sufficiently effective to escape their
share, thereafter, of what are considered the
hardships of Navy officers life. The writer
| ly has nothing in the world to do with the
''coast survey and that all connection be-
tween them should cease as soon as possible
He says further that for some years past, nc
Secretary Of the Navy has proved able to force
obedience to his orders to Navy Officers once
hoI IN 30 ~, l.
Ultimate duties We have seen enough oursell
to satisfy us that there is much truth in what
he writes ON tae subject.
The case Of tho Black Warrior in Wash.
| ington.-If we can believe our cars, there is
no little probability that, On receiving official
| information from the President, announcing
the facts in the steamer Black Warriors case
| to be as alleged in the newspapers Congress
will promptly authorize the Chief Magistrate
of the United States to suspend our neutrality
laws with reference to Spain by proclama.
ton, if the steamer and her cargo be not
released by the Spanish auth critics in Havana
in few hours after news of that action OF
Congress, may reach Cuba. For the time
being the anti-Spanish fever RACES with great
violence. Even among members regarded
as Freesolers, We hear appeals for letting
the Fillibusters work their will on Spain
power in Cuba, at the first summons from
the Creoles of the Island. We know that
some of the knowing ones have actually
wagered that in sixty days, our neutrali'" Nv,
! Ill ba thus sre--r1ed
The Captain General, by his high handed
outrage, has struck a chord which promises to
viorate anything but agreeable music in his
ears-that's certain. In one month after the
President may be compelled to issue such a
proclamation, one hundred thousand armed
Americans might easily be landed from various
points on our coasts, on the Island of Cuba
AT present, France and England have their
hands quite full at home, leaving the Island
practically at the mercy of American adyen.
.urers, should Congress say the word. Under
the existing state of evaporation, heightened
UNNECESSARILY by the too favorable opportu-
mites for the cheap acquisition of the prize,
Spain may look out for squalls The fact
that not vote was cast yesterday against the
resolution Of inquiry proposed by Mr. Phillips
shows that the House are by no means indis
posed to proceed at once to the subject matter
in a practical way.
The Pacific Railroad.-We have reason to
believe that in another week the House select