The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-12


The New York COllectOrshIp.
We notice that The republican members Of
Congress from this State are busying them
selves and are holding caucuses at The Wash
ington residence Of Mr.. Raymond, trying to
hatch Out a Collector for this port. The impu-
dence Of these men is beyond all comparison.
The idea of a set Of mon placing themselves on
record against an administration, and then turn
ing around and attempting to dictate to the
chief Of that administration whom he shall APP
point to this or that Office is preposterous.
The President is able to make his own selec-
tons for the Offices to be filed withou. any
dictaton, especially from his enemies. Even
if he should desire advice in regard to the
proper man to be placed in the Custom House,
the members of Congress-, after their vote for
the Stevens resolution, are the very last men
who should give or even tender that advice.
Ii they present themselves at the White
House we trust that the President will
treat them as their conceited impudence
deserves. They should be kept out in
the cold until they exhibit by their deeds
ample repentance for their attack upon his
policy in reference to the reorganization Of
the South. Words and lip service will not
do. We had plenty of that from these very
during tho recent state canvass. rncir
repentance, TO be worth anything, should be
that of deeds. They are not to be trusted in
any other form.
If President Johnson is the man that we have
taken him to be. the republican congressman
from this State will have plenty Of time as
well as opportunity to officially show their re-
pentance for their folly on the first day of the
session before Collector is appointed. Since
the republicans have manifested disposition
to defeat his restoration policy. if possible, he
would be justified in holding the appointment
in allegiance until the question of reorganiza-
ton is settled. 1t will not be sufficient that
the republican members offer as an apology
for their course that they did not intend to OPP
pose the Presidents policy, or that they were
not aware that Mr.. Stevens contemplated any
thing of the kind in Offering the reso-
luton. The fact remains the same
that they did record themselves in OPP
position to his policy, and aided Stevens
in his efforts TO defeat it, and that is sufficient
for all practical purposes. If they were not
sharp enough to see the object OF Stevens,
when that gentleman has for six months pro-
claimed it, then they are such a set of min
MES that they are totally incapable Of judg-
ing who is and who is not qualified to fill the
Office Of Collector of this port. Let them take
either horn Of the dilemma, they are unworthy
OF the confidence Of the Executive on so impor-
tant a matter az this. Promises to do better
in the future are worth nothing, for they made
any amount Of pledges to the people Of this
State that they would sustain the President
when they took their seats in Congress. But
the very first thing that they did on being
sworn in was to repudiate all OF these promises,
and did 1t with such indecent haste as to make
IL ten times worse than any ordinary violation
Of plighted faith.
II Is reported that majority Of the republi.
can representatives from New York favor the
appointment Of Chauncey N. Depew, the pres
ent Secretary Of State Of New York. This gen.
tleman claims to support the policy Of the
President; but whether his professions in that
direction are Of the same character as those
Of the Congressman we are unable to say, he
never having been put to the test Of placing
himself on record. Probably one Of the
strongest points In his favor is the fact that
Raymond, the right bower Of Stevens in at
lacking tho President, opposes his appoint
ment Mr.. Depew is no doubta worthy, honest
and estimable gentlemen, and man Of con-
siderable talent in his way; but he is totally
ignorant Of the wants and necessities Of our
mercantile interests. His public career and
his private life have led him in an entirely
different direction, and he cannot possibly pos
sess the knowledge requisite to adjudicate I'M
derstandingly upon the numerous complicated
questions that are daily arising in the Custom
House at so important port as New York.
II needs man acquainted with mercantile
business to administer that Office as il should
be. Aside from this, Mr.. Depew's connection
with the recent census in this city shows that
he has no comprehension Of figures, and does
not understand the simplest rules applicable
to figures. IT. however, the President desires
to make an appointment Immediately, he cannot
do better than commission Mr.. Clinch, who is
now discharging the duties ofthat office satisiac-
torily TO our business men and everybody who
has anything to do with the Office. Mr. Clnch has
the benefit Of twenty-five years practical cx-
perience IL an old New Yorker, well and favor
ably known here, and is in every way the
RICH. nan for The place. We can SEC Nd reason