The New York herald., 1870-05-25
WAR AMONG THE "sPOrTERs..

The Secret Service Division and the Custom
House Inspectors mt swords Points-Too
Much Surveillance.
In consequence OF frequent reports made TO Secre-
ary Boutwell,, alleging that there 10 venality and cor
ruption among the Custom House inspectors, which
reports were sent under cover to General Butler,
Colonel Whitley, chief OF the Secret Service OF the
Treasury Department, was recently sent here TO
make an investigation. The informer turns out to
have been Major A. II. Young, who CLAIMS that he
prOtege Of Major General Butler. In the nvesiga-
ti0n which took place before the chief OF the Secret
Service the Major himself confessed that he had
cefyed numerous presents frOmthe various steamship
companies while IN charge OF their vessels. Moneys,
wines, brlndy, CIGARS fruit and provisions were
generously given, and he never refused. He ex-
planned the ntOdus Operdndt Of dischargng steam
ers, and informed Colonel whitley thar twenty dol.
lars was always given to the inspectors ''nouse
money" from every steamer. Previous to the inyes-
ugaton the Major had been detailed for special
service, with Instructions TO arrest all smuggers and
hand them over 70 the custody OF the United States
Marshal.
The first arrest made was ON Thursday last, the
vicnm being Mr.. william Hampstead. purser OF the
steamer Missouri Of the Atlantic Mail Steamship
Company, which mad that day arrived from Havana.
Previous to the arrival OF MAYOR Young and the
three detectives of Colonel Whitey's force the cap
tain OF tine steamer had informed the regular Custom
House officers that he had reason to believe that
some ., tne crew naa secpesea cigars m some part
were at work III the ''cOal bunkers' they
were informed of the arrival OF whitey's force
when the search was suspended, they being unwil-
ling 10 work with Whilleys men. Major Young
ana his men ordered The purser to unlock the door
Of his Office, which order he readily and cheerfuy
obeyed, and 400 cigars were found behind his
drawers. The purser was then arrested and taken
from the steamer. After the departure OF whitey's
force. the regular officers proceeded with the
search and found 5000 cigars contained In
bags which were secreted IN the coal
ounkers. The officers conveyed the cigars
to the seizure room at the Custom House, while
MAJOR Young carried his 100 cigars to Colonel
Whitley's office III Bleecker street.
1t has sinee been ascertalued that one OF Colonel
Whtey's men was the second steward OF the steamer
Cleopatra, who was arrested by Co.onel Whitley
three weeks ago lor smugg Ing cigars and i'm
prisoned IN Elirdge street jail. ON Thursday
Colonel Whitley pressed him into service, and
he reluctantly assisted in the search OF the
pufser's Office on the steamer Missouri. The
trial OF the purser before United states Commissioner
Osborn began on Monday, but as 1t was the first
case for criminal prosecution brought into this dis
rict the Commissioner deferred his decision until he
could be enabled to look up the statutes with regard
to the case. The case will probably be decided to-
day. Custom House officers are much Interested In
the result, particularly as Colonel Whitey's force
are exercising surveillance over the movements OF
revenue officers