The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-10-19
From the Port Huron Commercial.
The Detroit ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ton IN our state. Politics.

1t is understood that an agent of the
Treasury Department has been examin-
ING into the affairs of the Detroit Gus
tom house. We are not advised what
was the tenor of his report. The article
in another column, over the signature of
Mr.. Shoemaker, which we reproduce from
the Jackson Patriot, is the first authori-
tive information we have had respecting
the charges against that gentleman. And
we regard it as exceedingly unfortunate
for Mr.. S., and we may add for The de-
mocracy of the State, that the frank and
full exposition did not appear some weeks
ago. Whatever conclusion Mr.. Guthrie
may have arrived at, we believe Mr.. Shoe
maker-retained or removed-will, in the
judgement of every impartial mind in
Michigan, stand eXonerated from any and
all charges involving n suspicion of NOR
al obliquity. If, in the discharge of his
duties, he has followed old and well es-
tablished, but erroneous precedents, he is
ready to rectfy errors and obey fresh in
structions. We understand that he trans
cended his accusers in the alacrity with
which he pursued the Investigations; and
very many circumstances combine to war
rant the suggestion that the charges were
preferred, rather with view to provoke
the dispatch of an agent to Detroit, and
to grasp at something which his examin-
ations or inquiries might possibly disclose,
than with view to their substantiation.
Mr.. Guthrie certainly bore testimony to
the unrivalled business-like system and
order prevailing every branch of the in
ternal administration of the custom
house; and throughout the Investigations
the bearing of Mr.. Shoemaker-tortured
by his enemies into silly bravado-indi-
Gated that conscious rectitude of purpose
and that high sense of honor which have
ever distinguished him as leading busi-
ness man and politician. So far then as
Mr.. S. is personally concerned, VIC drop
the subject, and shall proceed to discuss
il in its political aspects and bearings.
IL is notorious that there has been
grievous discomfort in the vrtuous bo-
SONS of certain Detroit politicians, ever
since the federal appointments were dis
posed of in 1857. And il is ominous
that, with a single exception, every tede-
raj otfce-holder an The State, appointed
from tie country, has an turn been at
tackled, and an effort made to effect his
removdi! 1t has been boldly proclaim
ed, and it is now the declared purpose oi
the disorganizers, that the Detroit Gus
tom house, especially, shall be wrested
from the country and restored TO the city
The first effort of the Detroit junto was
successful. The national administra.
ton was imposed upon, and a heinous
outrage perpetrated upon the democracy
of the Fourth district, by the appoint
ment Of John S. Bagg as Marshall
From the moment that change was an
nounced, harmony fled our party councils
and unity of effort on the part of oui
leaders became impossible. Naturally
enough, Mr.. Miller, Of Kalamazoo, was
next threatened with the knife. Ther
came Mr.. Fitch. Now we have Mr.
Shoemaker. And Mr.. Beeson, too, may
as well understand that parties only avail
a good opportunity to dispose of him.
Through all these headlcng onslaught'
of a greedy faction, Hon. Chas. E. Stu
art-the prominent bullwark against the
rapacity of the 'city BRETHREN" has beer
persistcn.ly and Indignantly assailed.--
The Stale Central Committee has beer
methodically attacked, and determined
crusade has been undertaken TO crippl,
its influence and stultify its power TO
good. The black republican press, lec
on by the Detroit Tribune, has been in