The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-04
The Tscublss OF che New York Custpm

The Tscubiss OF che New York CustDm
The excited speculation prevailing just now
in certain democratic circles with respect to
tie results likely to grow out of the i'll dis
guised political sntagonism between Collector
Sche.l and tee Secretary OF the Treasury bids
fair, for all we see, to increase before i. di
minishes. When the first act of the New York
Custom House patronage drama closed with Mr..
Schell's confirmation by the United States Senate
every democratic member Of that body having
voted for him), it was asserted that hostilities
between the two gentlemen had ceased. and that
the Ratchet was to remain buried for ever.
Their subsequent pleasure cruise together, in
the Harriet Lane, afforded abundant OppOrtuni
ties for confirming the freshly negotiated treaty
of peace and II wac imagined that all difficult.
ties in connection with the Custom HOUSE were
at an end. II appears however. that the very
list of appointments to the number OF about
seventy, which Mr.. Schell carried with him at
that time to Washington, has remained In Mr..
Cobbs breeches pocket ever since. 1t is likely,
too, to wear out there unless he becomes con-
WINGED that the welfare Of the country. as I'M
desstood by himself, with reference to
the Charleston National Democratic Con-
tention In 1860, viii be promoted by
it. So the war is renewed, and will
doubtless continue to be waged. in some
shape or other, until the President puts an end
to the strife by impartially requesting his very
good friend Mr.. Howell Cobb, and his equally
good friend Mr.. Augustus Scheil, both Of them,
to-march. 1t won't be Mr.. Bronson that will
90 alone this time-that is certain.
Anterior to the administration of poor Pierce,
it was always supposed that a collector, per
sonally responsible, under heavy bonds for the
correct transfer to the national treasury by the
hands of his employees of from two to three mil
lions of dollars q month ought to have some
thing to say with regard to their selection. 1t
| is only as consequence of the perpetual fights
among themselves of our democratic politicians
that outside irresponsible parties have ever
been called in as umpires, and allowed to eat
the oyster and divide the shells. Judge Bron-
| son would not submit to this; and we have good
authority for saying that it is not in accordance
with any desire of President Buchanan that
collectors appointed by him shall do 30. He
used exactly the following words, some little
| while ago 81 could not, with justice, hold
collectors responsible for the faithful discharge
of their duties if were to interfere in the
choice of their subordinate For this reason
| have refrained In all such cases." This wise
and sagacious rule of action does not seem
| to meet with the approval of Mr.. Cobb or Of
Mr.. Schell either; else why does not the latter
make his removals and appointments hat-footed,
simply reporting them, as the law directs, to
| the Treasury Department, but without waiting
for their confirmation? AS q principal, liable
for the acts of his agents, he is bound to fall
back upon that individual responsibility for the
faithful discharge of bis duties which Mr.
| Buchanan recognizes II he fails to do so, he
must expect that the President will, one Of these
days, give his place to somebody else. On the
other hand, If Mr.. Cobb does not, Gin all sucf
cases." refrain from interfering in the choice
of the Collectors subordinates," the Presiden
will have to get another Secretary OF tn
Treasury. As things look now, it wouldn'
surprise us If, before long, both Of them had Il
go by the board.
1t is currently reported that the Naval Officer
of the Port, Mr.. Blrdsall, has persistently acted
in accordance with that Interpretation of thu
statute which was always received prior to thu
removal of Collector Bronson. The requisite
changes and appointments in his department
have been made absolutely, without waiting fol-
confirmation by the Secretary Of the Treasury
although they have been reported, as required
by law, to the Treasury Department. Mr.. Cobb
as we learn, has issued orders that the salarie
Of none of these unconfrmed appointces shal
be paid but Mr.. Birdsall has taken 1t upol
himself to disregard this Injunction, and pait
the full amount due To each clerk up to the frs
instant. This is firm, bold position, in which
we think the Naval Officer will be sustained b,
the President beyond the shadow of doubt
We do not believe that Collector Schell would
have incurred the slightest risk in pursuing
similar decided course Mr.. Buchanan canno
sanction an interference by the Secretary Of tn
Treasury, which he has declared ''could no
with Justice" be exercised by himself. From
the wranglings, however, which are the presen
order of the day. we can surmise but one result
yiz;-the removal Of the Collector unless h
assumes the responsibility attached to his Office
and of Secretary Cobb for meddling with
kettle of fish which does not concern him.
one goes, both will go we feel assured.
THE BERLIN FREE LovERs.-Tbe people 9
Berlin, Ohio, believing that the free love sci