The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-13
What He Knows About Politi-
cal Farming.
The Republican Organization as
10 Was and Is.
How Tammauy Euchred the Radicals In
lS6S--A Small Matter Of Six Millions.
He Believes in thu Election OF Grant for
Second Torn, and Does Not Expect Dscapi-
tation-A Survey OF the Political Field
Hard Hits and Honest Confessions


it having been stated that In consequence OF the
earthquake In the republican party Collector MUIR
ply, the able and conscientious exponent OF the
policy OF the administration IN this city would be
compelled to endure radical pressure for the pur-
pose OF compelling his removal from the important
once which since ms appointment he has
so worthly flied, representative OF the HERALD
visited the Custom House yesterday and paid his re-
spects TO the Collector. Mr.. Murphy expressed de-
sire 10 afford all the information in his possession.
and with this object In view politely bowed out
several political deadheads of little consequence who
encountered his Office. In response to the first
question put to him he spoke substantially az fol.
lows
The HERALD wants news and must have 1t. 1t
would be foolish to deny 1t, for IL viii get IL any
way; therefore whatever information IS in my pos
session is at your service. TO begin. then:-rhe
first intimation had or an intended assault upon
me learned through the newspapers. Az far as l
can ascertain 1t does not amount to much In fact,
have ascertained that the report from Washington
published In the papers, emanated from
A JERSEY DEMOCRAT AND LOBBYIST
OF the Capitol, who, being filed with gall ana shv
eriDg with disappointment, whispered that lie into
the eager ear of newspaper correspondent. He
had no foundation whatever for his absurd state
ment. and he knew It; but his bile had TO have an
outlet. He tried to control certain nominations IN
the Custom House, but, finding that he could not,
he was forced to retire discounted He Is politi-
cal nobody and the public viii soon find 1t cut No,
sir; have desire lift MN INTO political promi.
hence by mentioning his name.
REponTER-very succinctly stated Mr. Murphy;
but was there no other foundation for the charges
i'm piled In the complaints to which have referreda
Collector MURPuY--Not that / know or / have
done my duty to the government aud the party;
Kept clear oil "entangng alliances" and faithfully
carried out the wishes of the President as under
stood them. IL Is absurd. Sir, TO suppose that we
Oilice. turn INTO pure stream the flowing
current of political corruption and open q
channel to power and preferment for
THE WARNING FACTIONS
In this city. What could be done was done. but
at the expense OF the people or in jeopardy Of
the rights and privileges of the merchants The
machinery OF the Custom House was not made sub
servicnt to any clique, though | myself and my
subordinates enthusiastically supported the repuD
REpoRTER-Then. Mr.. Murphy. you do not believe
that your removal is contemplated by the Presidents
The CoILKoTOR-Of that can say nothing. such
o step may be contemplated but don't think 80
did not seek the position, and hundreds know Il.
atiOns against me. There was no occasion Tor my |
making target OF myself for all the little gunners
OF the party. 1 stood well in the ranks OF the re-
publicans and actively supported our present and
next President.
You speak confidently, but doubtless from an accu-
rate knowledge OF the state OF parties. Some expla
nation on the present chaotic condition OF the
GENTLEMEN WHO CALL THEMSELVES REPUBLICANS
would be quite interesting to the general pubic
and, Mr.. Murphy, the bulk OF the population don't
care a snap whether republicans or democrats win
the victory in these domestic rows If the laws are
properly obeyed and the person Is respected ana the
sciencc OF public robbery checked Its growth.
The CoILECrOR-Very well put. SIR Bnt the
people are always anxious to know how their SER
wants, the public officers behave themselves. me
nP no
owing TO many causes, the chief OF which is the in
nuence and money OF Tammany It Is an orgaAlza-
ton dangerous to our liberties and If allowed 70 90
on VIII assuredly work mischief in the republic.
How have the republican party failed IN tls cleo
on mat mgia De assea me ~ s
there was no organization. lr was party OF
splintcrs, combination OF lnconRruous elements,
antagonistc and weak. Behind their foremost men
was Tammany, itch with plumber, strong and un-
scrupulous. You aughs
IT Is NO LAUGHING MATTER
for the republican party. What has been done be-
fore may be done again. And what was done be-
fore? The entire republican army in the state was
sold out. bought up ana vanquished. Whyy Be-
cause OF its rottennes5 Here's little OIL Oh polt
Cal history.
few moments, aud when he opened them wlnked
Knowingly at the attentive reporter
Matters were quite interesting IN the Legislature
OF 1885, he continued and republicans were sanguine
OF fixing things Tor the election that followed. But
they forgot Iammany; Tanmany sir. may be de-
the Senate OF the State IN which had seat and
voice, the future OF the republican party was often
discussed IN caucus. We were greatly annoyed
with claims from New York CITY. You understand
Bills amounting to the enormous sum OF
SIX MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
were presented for payment. They came in in
sheals and the Senate was bewldered Alter some
debate q board OF audit was appointed composed
long Investigation three hundred thousand dol
lars OF the SIX million dollars was al.
that ht the claimants were satisfied But then Tam
many showed its hand. In few days
bill was rushed through the Legisla-
ture giving the power TO Comptroller Connolly
to accept or reject all bills against the city of New
York. The entlre six millions of dollars were paid
the parties claiming the same the number OF repub-
icails In the Assembly grew beautifully less and the
state was placed in the hands Of Tweed, Sweeny,
Hall and Connolly.
| .'YoU KNOW HOW IT IS YoURsELFr
and need not enlarge further. TO paraphrase a
famous saying nothing - more damaging among
| body Of corrupt politicians than SIX millions OF
dollars, except It be twelve millions. Row viii the
| HERALD like tlat9
way OF news Mr. Murphy. But why did not the
republicans howl over this AFFAIR."
The CoLI.ECTOR--1o howl, as you say, would be to
display weakness. 1t was the policy Of the party
to keep COOL and, taking advantage OF The mistakes
OF its adyersaries, TO checkmate them. AS I said
the republican party powerless for goods 1t was
disorganzed and falling 10 pieces what could you
Observation-Disclosures to Brazil.
Tile COILEcTos.--A retreat was certainly the best
policy. Oar best endeayors could only result in
checking the democratic advance. From that time
lofwaru, Sir, III was appaie nI tat reorganization
OF tue republican party IN this State was q necessity.
We had either 10 acknowledge Sedan or prepare
Tor "A victory. we now badly beaten, but not so
bad that even with our imperfect organization, we
cannot carry the state at the next election. We
have
MORAL FORCE ON OUR SIDE,
and the weight OF pubic opinion. Grant Is the
choice or the American people for President in 1872
aud all the efforts OF the small fry politicians in this
section cannot shake that confidence. He Il head
aud shoulders above al candidates named 80 far;
his prestige IL not to be overslaughed by ward
rricgsters nor Is he likely tosufer in popular esteem
by The Vaccinations OF the few fat monopolists who
bleed the people OF New York. 1t win be many
many years, sir before the services OF Ulysses s..
Grant are forgotten by the nation.
GRANT - OUR NEXT PRESIDENT WITHOUT DOUBT.
REPoRrER-Thls, Mr.. Murphy, is very instructive
and highly entertaining; but are We not departing
from the question lrst started?
The CoiLE0ToR-Not at all. presume that cues.
tiOn or the Presidential succession considered in
certain quarters as affecting my position here. You
have now my opinion OH the tor the White
House, and know all that know ABOUT local poli-