The New York herald., 1870-08-14
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
How Things arc Working Under the Regime
Of Collector Murphy-Requisites for Hold
ing Office Under Him-The Subject Of
Sinecurss Spoils and Leskages

These close, sul,ry August days, when all who
can spare the time and money are drinking in ocean
breezes by the seaside or mineral waters ut our
famous inland springs, or seeking cooler tempera
lures among mountain scenery allow but little rest
ana opportunity Of recreation to those holding posi-
tions in the Custom House. There Is no let up here.
The wheels OF this great government machine are in
perpetual motion. Changes OF dynastles may bring
changes IN the working forces, may set different
sets OF men at turning the wheels but the work Is
unchangng. This Is necessarily the case In great
commercial centre like New York. ImporatiOns, it
is true, are less now than at some other seasons OF
the year. and In addition to this the European war
has cast temporary blight ON commerce, has
palsed the sinews Of trade ana crippled the spirit
0f commercial venture; but FOR all this the imports
are large business al the Custom House is lively and
all the attaches are kept busily employed.
ply; he Is by nature a worxer lie trusts as little
work 10 Others as possible and those he does trust
ne must know well. Brought up in the most indus
NEW YORK POLITICIANS,
no possible ONCE can make INN inactive; what he
1t is done, and who does It. Three weeks
ago ne entered upon his duties as Col.
these duties very quietly, but with eTes wide open
to detect any naw and Imperfecton In the past man
agement No one ever assumed charge OF this Office
more untrammeled by partisan obligations or party
promises. and no one ever essayed It's duties with
a1irmer conviction OF their high ana responsible
the interests Of the government precedent TO every
consideration OF sell and party He did not there
fore go into q wholesale dismissal OF those holding
Office. as had been the almost universal
CUSTOM OF HIS PREDECESSORS.
Beyond appointing MI Cnch first deputy ana
Mr.. Terwiger chief clerk, two men UNI iersay ac-
knowledged 10 be most peculiarly fitted for these
positions, he has made but few changes, and none
without cause. This Is the rule he adopted at the
outset and 1t is the rule he intends during his con-
tlnuance In office 10 carry out most strictly. He
knows all the politicians or the CITY Thoroughly,
Hamerous SSS' but p0n very T worthless cass @ hs WHY
oflce wnen out OF it-never, however, to do any
thing when III otce, II we except drawing their
trious promptitude lie has no sinecurcs-will have
none. Almost his first business was to get rid OF all
such. His rule as respects Offices and those holding
nothing class have no possible show OF holding
Office under him. In the second place. those who do
not come up TO his standard OF required ability and
efficiency have likewise no show Of retaining
onice In the third place, those who are
fuzzy able and efclcnt which includes the srictest
integrity and only such are sure OF their places. No
one need take the nauterng JUNCTION to his soul
that he Will escape his notice Where there are so
many holding positions as in the Custom House Ii is
necessarily SLOW work, but he is doing it neverthe-
less, and doing 1t thoroughly, and when one Is found
wanting,
OFF GOES HIS HEAD,
the only recourse being for the victim OF the official
guilotne to pick up his head, st. Denfs-like II he
thinks 1t worth while, and walk away with 1t. The
result OF this course Is the utmost efficiency In every
department. everybody stands on The basis or lndl-
ydual merit, ana everybody knows that 1t decapi
tatiOn otherwise 1t is unnecessary to state that the
fruits Of this system OF management are already
beginning to show themselves. Our Custom House
has never been under better control, and those
having daily business here, q number aggregating
thousands, are widely and keenly appreciative Or
the fact.
In the short time Mr.. Murphy has been Collector
IL has been impossible to introduce many
radical changes. Throughout every department,
however, there has been infused energy ana esprit
ae M corps that Is being productive OF the most
benetcent results. Everything is being most thor
oughly sysematized, which IL constantly necesslta-
ting more oress change. Upon the subject OF possible
frauds and peculations most watchful look is kept
II may be possible TO keep this matter Ind for time
from Mr.. Murphy but they cannot long escape his
lynX-eyed vigilance. Take ir all In all, matters
never looked SO well or promising at the Custom
House as thus far under the
REGIME OF THE NEW COLLECTOR.
They are not promising To political vampires
greedy OF government spollatiOns. They not pro-
missing to applicants for Offices, OF Which there
thousands, and OF which thousands Will be disap-
pointed. They are promising for merchants and
others having business here. They are promising
for the government They are promising for Mr..
Murphy, as giving additional rmness to his character
and reputation as u hard-working, able and faithful