New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-04
CONCERNING THE COLLECTORSHIP.

1
The Office of Collector of the Port of New
York is one of the most important in the Gov
eminent. 1t is popularity believed to be better
paid than the Presidency. Next to that office
and one or two others in Washington 1t has
more patronage than any. 1t collects three
fOurths of the entire customs revenue of the
United States. Not less than hundred and
| twenty millions per year pass through 1t. The
interests of all the importers in the whole
Country are vitality affected by its manage
ment 1t has taxed to the utmost the abilities
of practical politicians and men of affairs, like
Preston King and others, recognized among
the ablest public men of the State. 1t has
been held a high reward for great public
service, not unworthy the acceptance OF the
best of them.
To this greatest Office in the greatest State
in the Union the President dominates Mr.
Thomas Murphy. Thereupon arises, among
New York Republicans and business men,
confused clamOr of dissent. He does not COM
mand the confidence of the business cOmmu-
nifty. He is not a representative of the Re-
publicanism that elected and must sustain
Gen. Grant He is not equal either to the
business or political demands of the place
has cheated the Government in contracts. The
present Collector has been denounced for
having given literally of his own property,
the result of a life of honorable business
struggles, to promote the triumph OF the Re
publican candidates SO now you appoint one
who has done nothing but put money III his
own pocket by reason of his doubtful con-
nection with the Republican party. Such, and
yet more bitter and serious accusations are
pressed upon us. We do not say they are
true. Many of them we hope are not. But
the time has come for their investigation
Gentlemen grumblers the Senate is the
place to which you should direct your atten-
ton Don't fill the common air with
vague and mOnstrous charges. Go to the
Senate, and prove what you have been telling
Whether Mr.. Thomas Murphy is Fenton
man, or Morgan man, or Conklng man,
or indeed a Murphy man, is to us matter OF
profound Indifference. The time for con-
siderng such distinctions, if ever there was
time proper for it, has gone by. We have
most important campaign before us, with the
certainty of desperate struggle and the
prospect of victory by no means assured. 1t
is no time to be grumbling about rations, or
SluaDDllUS over lllc ItCOIu VI tHc tOhlhiioS"iJ'
What we want to do is to put our best men
in the front, and follow them. But we do
want to know that Mr.. Murphy is a man suit
able for the grave public trusts involved in
the appointment, and that he is true to the
principles of the party in power. If one-half
the allegations about his business operations
can be substantiated, the Senate ought to
know it. If one-fourth of the talk about his
treachery to Republicanism in critical moments
has any foundation, the Senate ought to know
that. The Republican Office holder who, in
1866, openly voted for John Il. Hoffman, needs
to have a record exceptionally clear to make
us willing to trust him, in post of widest po-
litical influence, two years hence, when John
T. Hoffman may again stand in need of his
assistance.
We insist upon the duty of Republicans who
are protesting against this nomination in New
York to make their protest, instead, in Wash
ington. Prove the things you are so per-
sistenty Dining in our ears, and, our word
for it, the Senate will reject Mr.. Murphys
name. 1t is idle to say that Gen. Grant wants
him confirmed. Gen. Grant does not want such
a man as You describe confirmed. He wants n
man acceptable to the business interests of
New York, a man of ability, and a faithful
Republican. Show that his nominee is not
such man, and we undertake to say for the
President that he will not only acquiesce but
rejoice in the rejection you will thus insure.
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