The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-23
JUBILEE AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
Great Excitement Among the Employ es-
'High Daddy''--The "Fut', Positions Re-
ucnched and the Subordinate Ones Adj
vanced-A Good Reform.

Great Excitement Among the Employees
'Hiah Daddy''--The "Rut'' Positions Re-
trenched and the Subordinate Ones Adj
vanced--A Good Reform.
In consequence OF the news concerning the I'M
portant changes in the Custom House, telegraphed
from washington and received by the press here
on the 2lst inst, some ten days in advance Of Official
communication 10 the parties interested surprise
and commotion were created yesterday which are
seldom witnessed among the employees and within
the sombre walls OF that venerable ediace.
These changes towards reform in the Custom
House were meditated by Collector Grinnell some
several months SINCE but owing TO the necessary
delay attendant on matters Of this kind In sitting
out the meritori0us clerks for advancement, and
arranging preliminaries pertaining generally to the
movement, the afair Will not go into decided effect
until the list proximo.
OF course there was rejoicing among the de-
6ervedly favored ones, while the expression OF
sternatlon was plainly visible In the features OF
those few who once smiled at their good for
tune but whose fortune now turned LII an opposite
direction. Hence many sharp and animated
discussions were the programme OF the day.
Some OF the "entry clerks were so indignant at the
reduction OF $500 from their salaries OF $4,000 TO
81 200 per annum, that they unhestatn0y expressed
moment Will no doubt see them think better or their
too hastily formed intention.
One OF the jovial fellows OF that grade said in an
ironicai manner that IN future he would have TO
blacken his own boots" Why notS that is exer-
else TO be c0mmended; IL IL both harmless and
healthy Others thought OF purchasing hand-organs
and trying TO grind back their losses in leisure
hours on the portico OF the building.
II, OF course, Is not to be expected that they
endorse this just movement OF Mr.. Grlnnel for they
Will not argue the subject in proper light; they
Will not take into confederation that subordinate
clerk at half their salary has TO work just nard,
| and in many instances harder than they themselves
| do nor, that the actual necessities OF the humble
clerk, and perhaps his family, are any less expen-
Bve than theirs IL Ia TO be allowed that their duties
are more responsible and require more "headwork
than those OF the subordinate clerk; but, az an OFF,
set to that is claimed that the duties generally OF
| nous q nature as to entitle their respective
positions to somewhat more than One-half the COM
pensation OF the former especially when the clerk
at small pay may be on an equal footing SOCIALLY,
and possess the requisite ability to perform the
duties OF the clerk receiving double HIS remunera-
| necessary influence 10 procure himself similar
! position. The system OF taking from Peter 10 pay
Paul IS not advocated; but that Paul should be adj
vanced to nearer level with PeLer under the crcu.
stances, s thought but far; ana II an ARRANGEMENT
could not be erected to that end then the plan just
| brought to O climax seems better, however, than
that which has heretofore existed.
Deputy Collector Morris has worked with energy
and judgment regarding this reform In the division
under his control and 10 such an extent II is said,
as TO render general satisfaction.
In fact, the new system, taklug 1t all together,
a. ieaat points favorably TO the administration OF
| Mr. 4rinneii-plany showing that the good old
man" Is not so forgetful as some disappointed midi
viduals or politicians would represent, he has
proved not 10 nave forgotten his earnest Intention
OF reconstructlns affairs IN the Custom House.
| themselves as lmpeoiments In retardng this bold
| but proper step.