New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-18

OF Representatives LOT IniOIfnhtion VII '"''
subject, specifies thirty-five hundred cases oil
arlegedifrau on the Customs compromised or
otherwise settled IN the City of Ncw-fork
within a period of less than four years. ii
we remember now that these charges OF irauo
were for the most part against iiims ana not
against individuals, and that each case, there-
fore, compromised or involved from three 10
FIVE persons, and furthermore that IN the
Treasury list cases entered upon but abah-
doned, and cases commenced but not YET
settled, are not included. 1t IA probably no
exaggeration to say that full fifteen thousand
of the leading merchants of New fork-inen
foremost in every great commercial and fnancia'
enterprise, and in every good work OF charity
education, morality, and religiOn-haye been
proceeded against by the Government on slis-
picion. to say the least, of conspiracy to de-
fraud. which conspiracy, in plain language,
necessarily involves the commission or intent
of perjury and robbery. But no such charge
as this can justly be preferred against tho
leading citizens of this or any other American
community; and il it is not true, then we
must be- forced 10 the confession that we have
system of law 80 complicated, so obscure
and 80 wicked az TO render infractions OF
its provisions almost unavoidable, ana a
system of administration which takes
advantage of these attractions to pro-
mote the private fortunes oil host
Of spies, detectives, and infOrmants, rather
than the interests of the people and the
business of the country. Taxes we all know
are necessary, and plenty of revenue for the
State most desrable but freedom from hourly
provocations to fraud, freedom from vexatious
and unnecessary inquisitions, prosecutions,
seizures, fines, and penalties IL good deal
better. We had none of this business previous
to 1861 there is nothing like 1t in any other
part of the civilized world. We think the
American people are fast coming to the
opinion that the sooner it is done away with
hero tho better; and that if the present
Congress is inadequate to the work of reform
they will elect. at the Grst opportunity, one
/ that il.
When the citizens of New-YOI1. shortly
after the fall of Fort Sumter, assembled IN
mass meeting in Union-square to make de-
monstration of their patriotism, Fernando
| Wood appeared on one Of the platforms as
a speaker. AS the course of this gentleman
| for the few preceding months had been some
what doubtful, no little interest was felt by
the crowd in respect to his sentiments ; and
| this same crowd was by no means inclined to
tolerate even an appearance of disloyalty.
As Mr.. Wood advanced to the front OF
the platform, a ragged urchin, perchcd
| upon tree, shouted the following
piquant remark, "Take care, Fernandy! Take
"care what yer going to say! The people are
Watching yerw We apply the language OF
the tree-top philosopher of 1881 to such mem
bers of Congress, especially from New-York
and New England, as may feel inclined 10
block the way to Custom-house reform
take care the mercantile community are
watching yerw If the interests of Butler
Sanbon 81 Co. are to be promoted, the
present system of laws does not require
amendment TO the dotiing of an or the
crossing of a t. But if on the other hand in
terest of the country, its commerce, its
industry and its morality are to be promoted,
you will make haste to pass the Fenton bill
and several more of the same character.