The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-12
THE NEW COLLECTOR.

40eD00y Ne4g-hAD OVnAss1ess~. 80
dorsed by tho Business Community
A Nest or Expectant once Seekers
Biogra phicsl sketch OF the New on
ctal-K4is Present Movements and
Future Courss OF Action, DO.
After many months OF anxiety the part Of fow
hundred employees and few thousand or less nau-
entail politicians the much vexed question Of the COL
ectorhip has at length been definitely put to rest by
the confirmation Of Mr.. Henry smythe a Collector OF
this port by the Senate The intelligence reached this
city on Thursday afternoon and made public through
the columns Of the HERALD yesterday morning the gen.
emen attached TO the Custom House thus receiving the
first announcement Of the event
THE NEW COLLECTOR OF THE PORT,
in common with the readers Of this paper will already
have perused his biography recently printed in the
columns Of the HERALD Mr.. smyths Ia a native OF the
State of New York, being born in the town OF Hobart
Delaware county, in the year 1919. Having received
good academic education he to this city In 1885,
and ten years later partner in the Boston house Of
Francis Skinner Co, who had just then opened a
branch establishment In New York After eleven years.
connection with this firm he established the house OF
smythe, sprague Cooper retiring from the partnership
in 1894 and being subsequently elected President Of the
Central National Bank position he sti occupies to the
perfect satisfaction of the shareholders Tho new Col
lector is politician and enjoys the esteem Of all polt
cal parties he does that OF the business community
THE INFLUENCE OF THE CoLLEcToR
is not too lightly estimated by the Office seekers OF the
State Mr. Smythe having in his gift eight hundred
places, the holders OF which receive salaries varying
from four hundred and twenty dollars to four thousand
dollars each. Although 1t is extremely doubtful whether
the Collector will make any changes in the several
departments, there little anxiety manifested among
those Of the attaches who solely dependent upon their
annual stipend The fact however, that tho late Preston
King created and filed but few vacancies of any import
ance believing that practice frequently made the right
for tho right place. tends to quiet this feeling OF
and the specuatons made as TO the future
conduct Of the incoming official usually result in the
expression of the belief that old hands, will not DO
discharged to make way for employees whose vcrdancy
likely interfere with the smooth workings Of the
Custom House.
THE PLAGUE or OFFICE SEEKERS
with which the business places and private residences OF
all bestowers Of patronage have been visited has grev
ously afflicted Mr. smythe Expectant clerks have laid
in ambush In the corridors Of the Wall street institution
10 pounce upon the appointer deputy collectors III
have kept watch in the approaches TO the Central Ma
tiona Bank and wouldbe appraisers have established
their abodes the stoop Of his private domi-
Gil In addition to the verbal applications which have
been made by moro or less prominent individuals In
favor of prstes Of Questionable ability the Collec
tor possessed Of nearly five hundred papabe evidences
Of excellent pcnmanshp, toleraby good powers OF com
position and all expressive Of strong desire TO tho
interests Of the United States by occupying
any position the Custom House, from that OF Assistant
Collector to the humble Of porter These com
municatlons have been received by Mr. smythe since
18th day Of April last when the that tho Pre-
sidcnt had in his appointment 10 the Senate for
confirmation reached this city, and yesterday the rush
Of Office seekers In quest Of the poentae really IN
precede nted At ato hour In the afternoon Mr. Smythe,
who had spent the day receiving his friends at the Gen.
trail National Bank gavc orders that none Of the profane
should be admitted 70 the sanctum, and further an
nounced to the Office seekers that request Of theirs
would be taken into consideration unless handed In sub
seqsent to his installation all petitions previously for
warded 70 him being consigned TO the waste basket.
This piece Of gratuous information scattered the ssp
ONCE to the winds Of heaven, and the Collector
was enabled make all the necessary preparations for
h departure for Warrington without being annoyed BY
the visits Of either political personal acquaintance
yearning for patronage.
TIE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Of New York douby pleased with the appointment,
of Mr. suye TO his responsible position, inssmuch aa
they regard the action Of the President highly
plmcnay TO OF their BODY ana they rccog
nze In tho Collector OF the most energetic and
esteemed Of the class Yesterday committee Of three
Of the largest shareholders Of the Central Bank waited
upon Mr. smyhe and requested him not TO relInquish
his position President Of that Institution. The
Collector. highly aattcred by the compliment
paid him. replied TO his visitors that he about
consult with the Secretary Of thu Treasury to the
expcdicncy OF retaining bis present title, ard discharg
Ing the time the duties incumbent the
pant Of tho Collectorshp As the management Of the
affairs Of the bank requires but little attention the
part OF the President there Is doubt but Mr smyhe
viii accede to the request made by TIE shareholders
and retain the direction Of this financial institution OF
which he the most prominent founder
THE INSTALLATION
OF the Collector viii probably take place Tuesday
morning next, whom the deputies will be In.
Meantime Mr. smythe win visit Washington for which
city he started by the six O'Clock train last night Sub
sequent the instaatory ceremonies the Collector will
make himself acquainted with the routine duties Of hs
now position the affairs OF the Custom House, and
devote modeum Of his time To the Office seekers who
viii have opportunity OF basking In the sunshine Of
his favor between three and four O'Clock Ia the after
noon only From nine to ten O'Clock In the morning
Mr. smythe will devote himself 10 the discharge Of his
duties President Of the Central National Bank, and
from ten three he will act Collector Of the port 10
the entire exclusion OF Shareholders Of banks and Office
seekers from bis Wall street aparments Until Tuesday
next therefore, there will be but few items Of interest