The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-23

trade, with 900 mats Of Java 800 bags Domingo and
10" do Iaguayra rates given in another paoc Freghs
were without change Of moment 900 bushels Of wheat
IN bulk were engaged for Liverpool Al 3D. and 600 bales
Of cotton a. IS. a 3D. Cd. Der bale.
The United states Mail Servicc-POstnasaer
General Browns Western Ideas.
Although three months have not yet elapsed
since che Inauguration of Mr. Buchanan, and
very little has been done to test the quality of
the several members of the Cabinet, we may
still, with an exception or two, venture upon
something like q definite opinion upon their
respective inertia according to their acts.
In connection with the pending delicate. diff
cult and important Issues affecting our foreign
relations we think that thus far Gen. Cass has
proved himself eminently qualified to meet the
great responsibilities of his post and the high ex
pectations of the country; and we are confident,
too, from the sound judgment and wise discretion
which he has exhibited upon the Central
American, Chinese and Mexican questions, that,
as the guardian of the honor and dignity of the
countsy, without any apprehensions concerning
the external peace of the country, he may be
safely trusted for the future. Of Mr.. Cobb, the
said that he has already shown himself faithful
agent of the lava careful dsciplinaran-
Jealous for the good conduct and good order of
his department and for good report of his
stewardship, as the accounting officer of the
people money.
Of Mr. Toucey we have had 10 complain that
he has, in a recent transaction, exhibited little
too much of the conceted martinez for this day of
progress and common sense; but we still believe
him capable of doing much to restore harmony,
order and efficiency in the present dscordant and
demorallzed United States Navy. Mr.. Black, the
Attorney General, in q recent opinion or two, has
perhaps permitted his zeal to ourun his dscre-
ton; but as he is an approved expounder OF the
law, and has been only jealous in behalf of the
public interests we may pronounce him a safe
bargain in exchange for bis ''illustriOus prede-
ceeeor."
We fear, however, that Mr.. Brown, OF Teunes-
see, the Postmaster General, Notwithstanding his
extensive reputation as statesman of great ia
lents, much experience and matured wisdom has
entered upon the duties of bis Office rather as
Western than as national Imam. Retrenchment, we
know, was the Alpha and Omega of that vigilant
old watch dog of the public money, the Hon.
Cave johnson; but retrenchment is not always
economy. If in his anxiety for the sixpence at
bis feet the man loses the golden eagle that lies
a few yards farther on he has not made much by |
the operation This brings US to our specifca-
iions against Mr.. Brown
The Postmaster General has the discretion Of
for the term of one year for the
Of the mails by certain lines of Az
antic steamers. In pursuance Of this authority
Mr.. Brown has recently made the following con-
tracts, to wit
For tie transportation Of the mails by the New
York aud Bremen line Osnberbilt's) the com
pensston of the possees amounting 10 about 900
Late contract Of old line, cash. 100000
Reduction sss, 900
York and Hsvre line the postages equal 10
ABOUT S9s,VU
LAC ConuaCl CASH.
Reduction. SCI, coo
Now Mr. Brown may plume himself upon the idea |
hat here arc the savings Of $4,000 upon the |
expensive ocean mail transportation of the East
which may be wisely devoted to the extension of
the mail facilities Of the West. BM this Is Of
that sort of economy which the old wo
men call penny wise aud pound fool
ISL" We had hoped to find in Mr.. Brown,
and hope yet to find in him, statesman above
the narrow and contracted ideas Of your mere
Western politician, stumping it for guncombe and
for Congress The West owes everything to the
portant mail facilities which any country could
possess, have been mostly built by Eastern and
European capital or from land grants occurred by
Eastern votes In Congress. Thus the Illinois
Central Railroad secured grant of lands worth
at this day thirty millions Of dollars, and Eve
years hence it will be worth fifty millions. Taking
all the land grants to oil the Western railroads
together the sum win probably reach the magni
ficerk figure Of sl500oo,OOs In comparison
with such mail facilities as these how ALL the
allowances 10 our Atlantic ocean steamers, aud
how beggarly appears that small economy which
thus seeks TO /" save at the spigot while pouring
out at the bung hole"
wecall the electromagnetic Of the Postmas-
ter General to this striking view Of Eastern and
Western mail facilities afforded by the government
and 10 the very important fact that the more ex-
tended and liberal our intercourse with Europe
the more will the East I've enabled to contribute
TO the mail facilities the population and the wealth
Of the Wet Look into the subject. Mr.. Brown,
and extend your vision from the boundaries of
Tennessee to the interests Of the whole country,
and it, mail facilities with the four quarters of
the globe.
The ExTnAvAGANCE or THE AGE.-Prices
have risen from twenty-five to thirty per cent
within the past two or three years, and from all
appearances IL seems that there is no prospect of