Litchfield enquirer., 1839-03-14
From he National IateIligenrcr
TAXATION or OFFTCEsHOI,DERS

the investigating Committee of the House of |
Representatives, at New York, which affords |
indisputable evidence of "she patronage of
the Government" in that city, being hnbitu- I
ally and systematically brought ain conflict
with the freedom of elections" Are not these
abuses, and do they not require reform!
AREN'T s. De PEYsrER SWORN AS A WITNESS.
Examined By Mr.. Wise.
Question. While you were connected with |
the custom house, do you know whether or |
not the officers of the customs were called |
upon TO pay any part of their salaries, or any
assessment or tax thereon, for party or polit-
cal purposes? If yea, state whether you, !
have ever, and when you have made any such
payment, and state the motive upon which
payments were made
Ans,oer. The weighers were called OH to
pay $15 each for the support of the election,
and when declined, Mr.. Vanderpool. the
Deputy Surveyor, observed that ought to
consider whether my $500 per annum was
not worth paying $l5 for. Under the inn
preston that it was the price of my situation,
| paid it. The above occurred during the
last spring election for charter officers. Du-
ring my holding Office, for about five years,
I was occasionally called on, but always de-
clined until the last two years.
Question Is the Office of weigher, which
you held, regarded as one under the United
States, and the salary of which was paid out
of the Treasury of the United States?
Amsacer. Latterly paid out Of the Treasury;
formerly commission was allowed on the
amount of goods weighed. The Office is one
held from the United States.
Question. Do you know whether other sub
ordinate officers besides yourself in the Gus
pay such tax or assessment upon their sala-
ries, for the use of party and political pur-
poses?
Ans'Oer. Only by hearsay as it regards the
other officers, but saw many of the Weigh
ers pay the tax of $l5.
Question, Was the money thus collected
from you and others to be used for political
purposes? If yea, for which Of the then and
present political parties?
Ansacer. 1t was intended to be used to sup
port the election of persons attached to the
present Administration.
Question. Who collected the tax from the
Weighers +!
Answer Mr.. Vanderpool.
Question: What office does Mr.. Wander
pool hold in the custom house, and what is !
his salary?
Ams,oer. At that time he held the office of
Deputy Surveyor. / do not recollect the |
amount of his salary. Ibelieve he now holds
the office of Appraiser.
4UeSLGOTbs LOU uO q OOOh VI tlO udUlCS "a |
the officers from whom he collected, or had
he list of them!
Ansscer. A list.
Examined by Mr.. Harlan.
Question. Are you acquainted with VIM.
H. Price, late District Attorney of the United
States! If yea, please to state whether he
was regarded before and after his appoint
ment, as man worthy to be entrusted with
the collection of large sums of money.
Ans,cer. l am acquainted with VIM. H.
Price, late District Attorney, and answer the
question in the negative.
Question. Was the last payment of $15,
referred TO by you in your answer to the
third question, paid before or since the pres
ent Collector (Mr. Hoy) came into office!
Answer. Since the last Collector came into
Office.
Question. Were you removed from Office
by the present Collector! Kyea, state when,
and whether any reasons were assigned
therefor, and what they were.
Ansacer. was removed by Mr.. Hoyt (the
present Collector0 but never have conde-
scended to ask the reasons, and must, there
fore be under the necessity Of referring to the
Collector, who is now present.
The examination of Mr.. Lyons by Mr.. Wise.
Question. Whilst you were Deputy Collec-
tor at the port of New York, were you ever
called on as an officer OF the custom house
to contribute any sum or sums of money to
party or political objects; if so, what amount!
was such amount from you, called for in con-
sideration of your salary from Government
What portion did it bear to your salary
Did you pay it? If not why not? Who cal
led for such contributions Were other SUBJ
ordinates in the custom-ho to your knowl-
edge called on to contribute in like manner
For the support of what party were these
contributions called for? Was any menace,
directly or indirectly, of removal, held over
these officers or yourself for failures to grant !
such contributions.
Ans,cer. l have frequently been called onl
to contribute to political objects while was
deputy Collector, as an officer of the custom
house. The amount was from twenty dol
lars to one hundred dollars. The tax was
pro rata according to salary. 1t bore pro-
portion of from one to six per cent. l fire.
quently paid part of the amount; when it
was too high, and more than could afford, /
urged them to reduce it {; in one instance,
where I was assessed twenty dollars, Mr.
.Swartwout told the collector of the tax that
ten dollars was enough for me to pay. For
few years back have not paid any thing to
the General Committee, because could not
afford to pay the amount assessed, and be-
cause / could not 'conscientiously longer s,,s-
tain the party. The collectors of the Tam
many Hall General Committee. one of whom
was John Becker, called on me several times.
William Tyack once or twice called ON me
to collect the amount with which was as
sessed he was not the regular collector, but
was one of the General Committee. be-
lieve that nearly all the officers of the GUS
ton-house, in doors and out, and tho clerks,
were similarly taxed, and generally paid
what they were assessed. It was assessed
by the General Committee of Tammany
Hall, and for the support of the party denom-
mated. the TarnmnnV Hall marty If The In