The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-29
CUSTOM HOUSE POLITICS.
Gossip of the ROtundn-A Clerk Comments ON
Cabinet Chauges-NIurphy Master of the
Situuti On II, New York.

Gossip of the R0tundn-A Clerk Comments ON
Cabinet Chauges-NIurphy Master of the
Situation I'm New York.
or all the federal Offices In this city the Custom
House possesses the greatest attractions for mpe-
cunious republicans. II Ia the alpha and omega OF
local republican endeavor, the bright and shining
light that lumnes the path of those who step the
emusic OF the Union" party and those who march
with them IN the campaign against the metropolitan
powers that be- 1t is the focus OF hope for the poll
ticay destitute the city of refuge for the disap-
pointed OF the party who at present control it.
Cabinets may split into fragments; the policy OF the
President may appear inscruable; but while friend
OF the administration holds the position OF Collector
THE DARK CORRIDORS or THE CUSTOM HOUSE
will surely be blocked by the friends and adherents
Of rival factions.
CognIzant OF these facts, which, by the way, hold
good with reference to all other federal Offices a
HERALD reporter yesterday visited the Custom
House for the purpose Of interrogating Collector
Murphy on certain matters. The Collector was not
to be seen, but certain OF his subOrdinatcs were
found to be ready and willing to disclose their Views
on men and measures. It Is due TO them, However
TO state that they were not aware that their opinions
would be given to the public.
Entering by side door the reporter bowed him
self into the good graces OF several officials, and
being well known was introduced to q number Of
expecant oilce-holGers. friends and supporters OF
the rival Senator's. After some few remarks on the
condition of the thermometer fully agreed by the
waiting politicians the conversation turned on the
disruption OF the republican party, as indicated In
late Washington dispatches. The young, confident,
shock headed and somewhat peiverse radical oicc-
holder who was for the time being the reporters
particular meat, declined 10 say in what man.
ner he would upset the pretensions or the leading
men OF the country, and waXed Wildly abusive ana
gently sarcastic In response to meekest questions.
Being closely lnterr0gated, however, he said That 1t
was the opinion or his party Twenty-third street
and Twenty-secOnd street, and HIS own opinion
als0 that everything was all o. X. The pet schemes
OF the
NEW YORK TRIBULATr0N
were sure TO to grief; Its waits in politics, It's
howls for protection Its RANK abuse In supernuous
adjectiNes OF everybody not long haired; Its con-
demnation OF everything not foul, strange or I'M
natural had Disguised the entire party he said, and
1t could not now influence anybody In Washington
or here to regard It's mandates. The Tribulation,
said that fine specimen Of radicalIsm Is powerless
here, and lis suggestions are the burden OF all the
sarcastic wit heard within these halls.
There Is no news whatever here Wc
are all hard at work doing our bust
ness, the Collector is respected by every ole with
whom he Is brought in contact through business re-
latons, and, relieved from the impairment Inter-
ference OF professional politicians think we can
get on very well. sNow look hereu said this
auDurn-halr onlce-holder, as the reporter, con-
scous That he had gained no information, and that
there was
NO NEWS
to glean, was moving towards the door, "Fen'on
and Conkng may tight, and local republican leaders
worry about the Custom House but as long as Grant
is President and Murphy Collector the machinery
OF the customs - bound To run smoothly, and the
revenue is sure TO be c0llected.n