The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-08

Tas Duty ON PAPiR.-We SEQ that motion
has been introduced in the House Of Repressn-
tatives instructing tho Finance Committee to
inquire into the expediency Of repeating alto.
gsther the dsty on paper. This Ia avery pro-
per movement. and WILL we are satisfied, meet
with no resistance, except from those whom the
papermakers have contrlved to enlist In their
interest. The feeling created by this obnoxious
TAX 10 . very strong one, and 1t Is daily growing
In intensity. Already four Of the State Legis-
latures have passed resolutions condemning II,
and there Is very little doubt that the remain
der VIII follow their example. No impost
levied under the new law combines more of the
qualities which 60 to prove fiscal impolicy un.
productiveness and unpopularity The statement
recently submitted to Congress by the Secretary
OF the Treasury shows that the revenue from 1t
amounts to third Of the value Of the paper i'm
ported but this is SO small that 1t operates
almost as prohlbitive duty A change in the
present law, therefore, becomes imperative, and
Congress will do well to consider whether the
returns to DO derived from this source can ever
become Of so much Importance a. to counter
balance the benefits that would result to the
public from repeating the duty altogether.
It's reduction to the point demanded by the
press would certainly not diminish the amount
ofrevenue which II at present yields, whilst it
would help to bring the paper manufacturers to
their senses. The latter have determin ed to
profit to the utmost by the embarrassments un-
der which the country is laboring and nothing
short Of this or the total repeal Of the duty will
affect that determination. Before the suspen-
sion Of specie payments they would never have
ventured upon their present course. But when
the circulation Of the banks had increased to a
third more than their previous issues, in add.
ton to the legal tender notes, and prices gene
rally became inflated, they saw that the time
had como when they might put the screw upon
the public, and they took their measures ac-
cordingly. A we'll paid lobby aided their plans
in Congress, and they expected to reap q rich
harvest from the high amount of duty levied BY
the new tariff. The best devised schemes will
fail, however. and the indignation created by
the rapacity of the paper manufacturers pro-
misses to ruin theirs. Congress will be unable
to resist the pressure that is being brought to
bear on It from all quarters in favor Of the re-
duction or total repeal of the duty. When II
comes to consider which Of these alternatives it
would be the more advisable to adopt, we think,
for the reasons above stated, II will be brought
| to decide in favor Of the latter.
RUMoRED IMPENDING CABINET CHANoEs-GEvE-
RAJ BCrLER FOR THE WAR DsPARrMENr.-We
| are advised from Washington that an active
movement is on foot there looking to a partial
reconstruction Of the Cabinet, and comprehend
Ing the appointment of General Butler as the
head Of the War Department. This news may
| be too good to be true; but we are assured that
President Lincoln is seriously considering the
matter, and that probably within Q week we
may hear that General Butler has superseded
| Secretary Stanton.
We have no hesitation in saying that the
President could hardly do any act more accept
able to the people Of the loyal States than this
In his bold, energetic, vigilant, decisive and
enaoient military government established and
maintained over the turbulent elements Of New
Orleans, General Butler, by the future historian,
as by the public opinion of the present day,
will be regarded as enc Of the very ablest
executive officers which the stirring events Of
this war have brought forward into the public
service. He may have been occasionally too
harsh in his pains and penalties against the re-
fractory secsssionists with whom he had to deal
but his general administration of affairs at New
Orleans commands the largest appreciation Of
the loyal States. His appointment to the War
Office would, therefore, be accepted by the
country as an unmistakable assurance that the
war is to be prosecuted earnestly, theoretically,
and with that vigilant sagacity and promptitude
Of action which always command success We
care nothing for General Buffers recently de-
dared opinions on the negro question Put him
at the head Of the War Office, and he viii find
our armies in the field sufficient for his purposes
His superior executive abilities, his immense
industry, his invaluable experience at Baltimore,
Fortress Monroe and New Orleans mark him as
the very man for this crisis at the head OF the
War Department. Let him be put there without
hesitation; for our honest President may rest
assured that in this proceeding the country will
be encouraged a. with the news of q great
victory.
The Row ABOUT CALLICor.-Orator Fields.
Nincompoop Dean, Confidence Cassidy and
other notables are making tremendous fuss
over the corruption, bargain andssale Of CALI