New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-20

One OF the facts developed IN tno Impeachment
investigation. it will DO remembered, was the con-
hctinp disposition made OF the General Order"
business by President Johnson and Collector Smythe'
President johnson was sworn to have promised 1t to
Mrs perry. who sold it for a handsome sum TO a
firm in New-York. Mr.. Smythe had made an
other disposition of it and the affair was ultimately
compromised to the satisfaction of all parties except
the public The General Order" business means that
where in the haste of dscharging vessels consgnees
are unable TO designate where their goods shall be
sent the Collector orders them to general re-
ceiving warehouse, selected by himself to await dis
tribution AS the warehouses charge by law full
months storage, though the goods may remain only
a day. and as their rates higher than elsewhere
the General Order" business has money value
amply sufficient to account for Mrs Perrys interest
in it, The abolition OF the Warehouse system would
probably save to the Government Half Million OF
dollars year. Deputy J. II. Steadwel who has one
of the most important positions in the Custom House.
and enjoys largely the confidence of the Collector, IS
shrewd and cleverex-countrY lawyer and journalist
The Eighth Division, under Deputy s. l. Blatch-
ford, has charge Of drawbacks or repaymehts VI
Internal Revenue taxes and duties collected Oh
exported goods.
The Ninth Division Deputy L. c. Banfeld IA clever
Boston LAWYER appointed on the recommendation OF
Collector and of bonds for payment of duties. and
prosecutions thereon.
The Tenth Division. under Deputy X. o. Moulton,
is the Seizure Bureau having charge of the inqusi-
toral appliances whereby timid importers or offend
ing smuggeIs are made to disgorge
Eleventh, John A. Cooke. Deputy, has charge oil
the Public Store and of the goods under appraisal by
the Appraiser.
The Twelfth Division, called the Panama Transit,
now filled by L. Il. Grigsby of Kentucky, is a new
and unnecessary division for the supervision of ship
mens via the Isthmus. 1t is really created to pro-
vide place-a hole bored to fit the peg.
The First and Second Divisions is. G. Ogden,
Auditor and Mr.. Robinson, Cashierl are i'll degree
supervisory of tho others In these twelve Divisions
347 persons arc employed at a cost OF half million
of dollars There are three clerkships worth $1,000,
fourteen at $4,000, and twenty-five each at s9,sCO'
1900 $1,000 $500, fifty at SLIGO, and sixty at
81 200
The Naval Office, now vacant and IN charge OF
c. s. Franklin, Special Deputy, employs three depu-
ties and sixty clerks and is designed as check upon
the Collectors Office. But. as the Naval Ohicer has
the same interests in all respects rs the Collector II
is no check whatever except as the winding OF q
larger amount Of red tape requires longer to unwind
IL the duties Of Auditor under the Collector are prop
erly performed there is no occasion for Naval
Officer and the abolition of the Office whose enor-
nous income fully equals that Of the Collector.
would save the Government at least $4,000 year.
Every employee subscribes each month to an oath
to the effect that he has not received any money him
self nor through any member of his family nor any
money neither purchased any goods at less than re-
tail prices from any importer for services rendered
Notwithstanding this iron-clad obligation, it's no
torous as heretofore that entry clerks make out and
H. I, mar prtfry
them tprofessedly after business hours and nspec-
TORS accept and demand fees and perquises from the
steamship or other companies whose vessels they
discharge.
In fact current rates of compensation have been
established, and each Inspector upon experimenting
the discharge of cargo receives bis So Sl5 or go
with an extra allowance Of say so per night for any
nghtservice rendered necessary by the haste in dis
charging or coaling They also are allowed to walk
Off with from two to six bottles Of wine and brandy
each per day. Steamers that in port II days are
compelled to furnish the two Inspectors in charge
from four to twelve dozen bottles of foreign spirits
per trip.
Is it surprising that large circles of friends receive
their regular supplies from that member who claims
| ~ enJ"J " Pv'A''~-- = -ie Customs service
| The reforms most needed III the customs Service
| arc
First: The substitution Of sp.cfcgOr ad ysOemduie,
thus saving In 20 the duies col
Iected sd 1alorep or sIocOo'o
This would also save expense the Appraisers
Dspns, amounting in YepYofL per ,uuun ,o.... $500
Second: The abolition OF c Warehouse system. tins avoid
ing Smuggling and frauds fImany end securing an
efficient collection Of Tariff and protection es,
innate Importers sgsins; smugglers and Amerieh
fsetureS against foreign annual Saving 70 Govern
men Of at so,oooo
7alrd TIE abolition Of the Naval Oco saving off,. $3.50
Saving IN salaries labor deferred payment
Of duties amounting to siOolooOO goods In bond By
abosAug the Warehouse system ssy......... 10000
Fourth: The reduction by 60 per Of the smounlo Of
dstbutiye shares payable in seizure ea.es..... 10000
Round estimate Of the economy o. These per 900 o
If Congress will pass the laws necessary 10 naug-
urate these reforms, and President Grant will APP
point the man best calculated to enforce them the
| reputation of the Custom House can be redeemed
from tho Odium which has rested upon it, and the
administration Of the new President will have won
its first and greatest battle. We need for this pur-
pose man of large experience in Executive bust
ness, free from complications with NewYOrk meT-
chants or business men, with soul above money, or
at least a sagacity which will enable him to per-
ceivo that his personal gain by an able adminstIa-
ton and reform Of the New-YoTk Custom-House
will be far greater than the temporary profit and
| pleasure of allowing himself to be wooed into the
seductive and downward path to ill-gotten wealth.
| He must be discreet and skeptcal judge of men, n
rigid disciplnarian perfectly independent Of poll
ticiaus and merchants in his appointments and re-
moyals, and must Maintain rigid detective sys-
! TEN throughout every department. Next to the
Secretary of the Treasury the Collector of the Port
of New York is the most important Financial officer
| of the Government.
| LETTER FROM A FREEDMAN.
| To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR You will perhaps be astOnished by re-
ceying this from colored man. have been slave,