The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-15
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.

There Is no doubt that an unusual amount OF
commotion and trepidatlon prevails through all the
departments OF the New York Custom House since
the late arrest OF weighmasters charged with
cheating the government by false entries. TO an
attentive observer there was more real deep-seated
excitement around the Custom House yesterday
than there has been for q very considerable time.
The recent have been out Of the regular
Of things, and innovations at all times
provocative OF comment and endless gossip. the
Of the Collector IN departing from the usages
OF his predecessors and making real effort to dis
cover and punish the rogues in his department who
have been for years eating into the revenues Of the
government produced OF course. the greatest posi-
bic nareup, and awakened feeling Of nervousness
among the crowd OF political appontees with insol-
vent characters that infest the Custom House which
nothing else could have accomplished. Collector
Grinne, who is now only few months In ONCE, has
already created Q wholesome fear of his watchful
supervision among the employees OF the department.
but still he feels that he cannot possibly succeed
without being aided in ferretng out all these
sources OF corruption that must necessarily exist In
an institution which has heretofore been run exclu
sivey by needy politicians for the benefit OF them
selves and their friends and where investigation Of
downright dishonesty was laughed at as good
JOKE. Those who really know the merits OF the case
which was recently in court IN reference to weigh
stand the verdict of dismissal. They say in both
these cases, and in the two Others OF Carr and
Smalley, the most tangible evidence OF fraud that
court OF justice need desire was offered to convict
yet there was no conviction. The FIRST two named
were sons OF United states senators,a class OF
but SO many pasturing places for their hopeful Off
spring. The political influence which secured
places for this pair OF weghmasters might, 1t is sup
posed, be sufficiently potent TO exempt them after
wards from too close all inquiry into their Official
conduct.
the result OF such an Investigation as that held
last Saturday to confirm those who may at this
moment be carrying on practices just as corrupt as
those OF which the weighmasters were accused in
The conviction that they have nothing to dread from
the wrath oil the Collector beyond the pain OF dis
mlssal There are nineteen weighmasters in the
Custom House, and II each one operated IN the
fashion as those four that charges were made against
the government would be deprived OF something
like $780, 900 in the course OF year. But the Col
lector Is comparatively powerless unless sustained
by the criminal law. Ii he cannot make an example
OF the rogues save by dismissing them, his
fair fame OF the Custom House, II 1t ever had any,
Will be IN vain.
Weighmaster's Department, on which the Collector
has steady eye, and where he believes that before
long II VIII be an easy matter to unravel the we'll
kept secrets OF venerable frauds that have come
down like time-honOred traditions through many
hands. The inspectors are being looked after. The
countless ways in which this class OF four-dollar
officials cOntrive to swell the bulk OF their income
are more readily guessed at than understood. Per-
haps after all the largest leak Is in this
direction. Everybody knows that no man
OF any skill or Intelligence would care to wait for
weeks upon weeks ana plague the Collector to
death for the sake OF position worth but four dol
lars day unless he had hope there were perqui
sites OF some kind attaching to the office which
should yield at least threefOd more than the salary
The inspectors are for the most part recommended
by politicians so there is no occasion for any effort
or the imagination to realize what kind OF people
are likely to recommend. In tnis quarter
Then, there Is every reason to believe the
explorations instituted by the Collector will
result IN valuable and instructive discoveries. Even
then II is believed thu end ,viII
be reached. The Collector his present enterprise
resembles man all alone in the Mammoth Cave of
Kentucky with only lantern to guide him. Give
him time and ne Is bound to explore every winding
way within II; but which avenue passage to take
where FORK occurs must sometimes be sore puz-
Gle. Patience and perseverance will ultimately give
Fhe Collector the reward OF his adventure.