New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-06
THE COLLECTORSHLP.
THE TALK OF BOTH SIDES.

Moses II. Grinnen was nominated, confirmed,
and sworn into Office Collector Of the Port Of New
York within a month after Grants inauguration. An
unimpeached Republican, faithful friend and supporter
Of the President and old and experienced NewYork
merchant, he wen qualified for the office, and de-
voted himself to its duties with unsurpassed zeal and
fathfulness At the outset he coupled with his acknow
edgment OF the honor conferred him earnest as
surance that he would cheerfully renquish the Office
whenever the President should see fit TO name sue
oessor On Friday the name OF ex-senator Thomas MUIR
ply for Collector to the Senate and at the same
time Mr. Grinnell was nominated for Naval Officer in
place Of Gen. Merritt The singular changes thus pro-
posed by the President excited equal establishment and
CONSERVATION at the Custom House, and the entire
dearth Of yesterday by means relieved the sus
pense. Collector Grnnen was ahabe and calm and at
entive to his duties, but could not conceal profound
interest in the latest dispatches from Washington
faithful servtOr in the anteroom declared with intense
seriousness that Mr.. Grnnel such able, faithful
and goOdnatured that he did not believe the Senate
could possibly confirm "TOm" Murphy. Nevertheless
the corridors displayed many faces supposed to be-
long 10 Murphy men, engaged III spying OUT inc pro-
ised land" and not few applicants for office under the
present Collector syly maneuyering TO withdraw
their application papers so as TO come up win clean
record in time for the deal The Custom House force
numbers some 1900 officers about twothrds OF whom
Grinnelis appOintees, and, very natural " tran
quilty of mind is not the prevailing sentiment among
The more sangune, however, prophesy Murphy's re-
jectiOn and assign many reasons Tor II which, rhe,
ought certainly 10 prevent MS IL II III
legged for instance that he made dishonest gains out OF
his Government contracts to furnish caps and blankets
the soldiers and is also affirmed that he joined with
other weak kneed Republicans in the famous Phuadel-
phia "arm-n-arm" Convention and then sided with
Hoffman and the Democrats out of personal spite against
FentOn at time when the party, in conflict with john
son. could III afford forgive the detection OF any OF It's
members But the main charge s that of present sym
patty and alliance with Tammany, and II is urged that
he holds office by the grace OF William NJ. Tweed one
Of the Commissioners for widening Broadway whereby
can make annually from $4,000 TO 100000 according
the pliablty OF his conscience. His bosom friends
said to be avOwed Tammanytes, and 1t is declared
that ne stands exactly par, politically, with "Hank
Smith, Ben" M8nierre, and other sOidiSdnt Repubh
cans, whose facing both ways is highly profitable TO
themselves but immensely detrimental TO the party. In
a word, il is charged by his opponents that Murphys
confirmation would utterly cripple the CustomH House as
political power against Tahmany, whereas II should
be made the Gibraltar Of Republicansm in this city.
ON the other hand, Murphys friends and apOogizers
vehemently assert the sincerity of his Republcansm
deny in toto the charge Of aaton with ammany, and
attribute his appointment Commissioner for widening
Broadway merely to the fact of his being very extern
sve property In fact they say he Will not only
eEchew Democrats but will organize the Custom-House
into political force that Tammany Will be com
PEELED respect His present riches IL is argued, Will
enable him to afford the luxury of being politically
honest and IL s maintained that his appointment,
generally credited to the influence of Butler and Conk
ling the step far-reachng plan to put of
wealth brains at the head of the Republican party
in NewYork and thus to check If not to destroy the
power of Tdmmany.