Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-03-01

when, oh, horror! 1t was discovered
that the frauds had been systematic
eally perpetrated for years, and that
instead Of damaging Andy Johnson's
appointee, Perry Fuller, a thorough
examination of the business of the
Custom House would show how dis
tinguished e~x-ofhcials had amassed suf-
ficient fortunes TO enable them to con-
troll the Legislature of the State, and
thereby secur al election to a seat in
the highest branch of the National
Legislature-hOw, from penury, they
became, in a year or two, with sala-
ries by no mean large, ''mOneyed
men," whose bank account was
counted, not by hundreds, but by
thousands. This discovery, Ofcourse,
caused much excitement among those
interested, and there was great anxi-
ETY. to ascertain the extent to which
the management ofthe Custom House
was to be investigated-hOa0 far back
the examination lCdS TO 90. The Naval
Officer demanded a thorough over
hauling-one that should embrace the
full term during which he had dis
charged the duties Of that Office, and
would be content with nothing less.
The public press, too, demanded that
the examination should be full; that
there should be no respect shown in
favor of any n implicated in the
frauds committed, no matter what
might be his social or political posi-
ton. Great was the rejoicing Of the
people when it was announced
that the Special Treasury Agent
was instructed "to make complete
investigation" But in this the people
were doomed to disappointment, and
justice to be thwarted and crime pro-
tected. The agent was interviewed"
by an eX-COllector, for the purpose Of
a~scertaining the nature of his in
structions." He was informed by the
agent that his orders were "tO make a
thorough investigation of the manage
ment of the CustOm-H House from the
date ofits reorganization" To this the
ex-COllectOr expressed himself well
pleased; but, strange to say, kilograms
were Immediately forwarded to Wash
ingtOn, and, in Tess than four days
from the date of the '~'interview," the
Treasury agent alluded to received
orders from Washington to report to
Mr.. Kinsella for instructions, and to
strictly follow his direction. Another
Treasury agent, who had been sent
with similar instructions, was also
directed to place himself under the or
ders OfKinsella. These orders were fol-
lowed very speedily with notices that
their services were no longer required.
What influence procured this change
of programme car only be imagined,
but might be a~scertained. Certain il
is, however, Special Treasury Agent
Kinsella stated to both the agents,
who were subsequently, dismissed, and
also to the then Naval Officer, who
was urging, as stated above, a thor
Ough investigation, that his instruc-
tiOns from the Treasury Department
were to confne his examinations to
the administration of the immediate
predecessor of Collector Casey, Mr..
Perry Fuller" That Mr.. Kinsella
made this statement is susceptible of
the clearest proof, and 1t Is eqally true
that beyOndthe administration of Mr.,
Fuller there has been no investiga-
ton, Notwithstanding there is evil
denee that the "ring,p by whom
the frauds were perpetrated, was
organized over five years ago;
that all the members Of It, with sew
eral custom house officials, became
suddenly and unaccOuntably pos
sessed Of large sums of mOney-Such
s1ms as could not have been realized
from their legitimate business, or
from the salaries of their offices.
Thus the people are duped. There is
a pretended investigation. All the
Qdium that attached to the adminis-
tratiOn of President Johnson is
brought to bear to fix the tDhOle guilt
upon his appointee, and thus draw /
public attention from the real Offend
erS. How long will this last? Is
there sufficient honesty in Congress to
investigate and expose these frauds"
by which the people are robbed and
the nation disgraced?
This statement is no less wonderful
than true, and it is equally true that
these facts have long been known, not
only in New Orleans, but in this city.
Four years ago the then naval officer of
the New Orleans CustomhOuse, being
satisfied that immense frauds were be-
ing perpetrated by Government Off
Gals and others in the importation of
sugars and cigars, came to this city for
the purpose of informing the Govern
ment of his suspicious and the evil
dence upon which they were based.
called on the Secretary of the
Treasury and made his statement, de-
failing the various facts which had
come to his knowledge from informa-
ton of a most reliable character, and
the witnesses by which his statements
could be proven. These frauds, he
represented, were of constant occur
renee; that fortunes yer being real
lied by the perpetrators Of them, and
the Government defrauded of q large
amount of money. Having thus
discharge his duty, he asked for
instructions as to the course he
should pursue. He remained here
some days, awaiting the action of the
Department, expecting of course, the
necessary instructions and power by
which he would be enabled to stop
the frauds and bring the guilty parties
TO Justice. He, however, received no
such orders, but WdS directed 10 re-
TO NeU Orleans and attend TO the
Of his OICR office. What influence
induced the Treasury Department to
pursue this course is beyond compre-
hensiOn. No effort was made to pro-
tect the interests of the Government,
and the frauds continued with an inn
and Openness that gave to the
transactions the appearance Of right,
if not in law or morals, from the
fact that the perpetrators were per-
.itted to enjoy their gains without
m~olestation.