The New York herald., 1871-10-08
MURPHY'S MEDITATIoNa
An Honest Official, Who knows
How IL is Himself.
Quiet Chat with the Collector q ~ Ssrt -
Matters and Things-Hs Wsa't GIVE
Up the Ship and 1sfusss Ts
Be Radical Martyr.

Next TO the City Hall aud the new Court Hcue -
public building In the metropolis y - impos1oW -
the ordinary political hanger-on - - Cuoon
House, and, OF course. what interests the Gune
minds OF bumming politicians have special ooesuD
and attraction Tor observing writer's SDr ~
press. There Is little choice 10 be mo1s
at any time between the federal. stase -
local politician IN his manner and department.; -
the federal ofiical Is infinitely more amusing m ~
antics his conireres the business OF puolIc
robbery.
The entrance to the Custom House ~ probably inc
birthplace lor the study OF this class of cnsracser
that New York anords. HERALD reporter cibowed
his way yesterday through crowd of people who
thought themselves wished to be considered frends
OF the present administration. There were Assembled
motley crowd. Dut not particularly 'hard crowd"
OF understrapper politicians They behaved with .
decency NOT generally found among men OF their
class.
The usher, a young man who Is known 10 visitors
OF the Custom House as Henry, and who, IN his arm
chair at the door leading To Collector Murphy's
ONCE, might well sit for picture OF Tact IN tne
lap Of Prudence quickly smirkei the reporter 70
the inner room, and
AN INTERVIEW
was an early result After certain dcsuliory conver
saton Mr.. Murphy, VINO threw away cigar for
the purpose, stared emphatlcally that ne did not
want any publicity as far as he was concerned N
the matter OF the charges made against him uy par-
tlsan papers for partisan e9ds.
And this having opened tho cOnversatlOn ana
leading up to what the representative OF tnls paper
wished to secure, very full aud frank convcrsar
az anst the Collector were discussed seridtfi, ond
then, with view OF bringing the conversation %
Rss was rsRSEtss S' leading '
REPonrER-Ihe republican opposition press. op-
posed TO General Grant ior tne rresa.n.a. Sue , sucv I'm
and are trying to hound you down. Now, DON'T
desire to annoy You or 70 ask more tnan IAN you 60
| tlon OF the public am compelled 70 ASK, IN tee
| words OF the "Boss" what are you going TO DO
Thc genial Collector felt vanly for his whskers TO
stroke scratched the OF his mead, closed one eye
| and looked az mysterious and n0n-cOmmittal az
| man OF his frank and openhanded nature can 40
| After mutual smiles were exchanged, Invested.
said tnat he could not be Interviewed on point
| or any otner pertaining to tins question. .s..
REroRTER-wel. Mr. Murphy, shall | say snas
CoLLEcToR.-i yon said so you would not say
| more tnan the opposition press has done.
| REPORrER.-We have not either OF us time to
fence, so directly ard to the aDou.
| these charges made against you concerning your
| contracts Tor army supplesy
| CoLLEcToR-very good. There IS not word OF
| truth IN tile whole business. In u few days ! Will
have aiidavils presented III the right quarter and
by the right persons which VIII bow thcse miscrar
able little people VINO nave Gonn'hed against me
REroRrER-wnere do you bury your dead Mr..
CoLLEcroR-Ir you are going to write anything
about this conversation, ana suppose you Will,
please don't have me misunderstood by the public
Ihaye no quarrel Greeley ana have few enc
mics anywhere. rms entire matter Is easily stated.
II seems tlat ! am In the way OF some ss peopse
VINO think they can do this business
better than can ana or course they are making
tremendous hu9 9buo FOR the purpose oil e3sening me
III the pubic estimation and increasing their own
REroRrRR-And these charges Of fraud, &C..
against you form part Of tue plan adopted for the
purpose of Oustng you from your position, 90 they
| CoLLEcToR-Of course II Is. l well understand
the motive IN this business. 1t that man 10
Official position must have mud thrown 2. niIn al
the tune ne rs Maor M SplGe; snp f1ny rAS roNsr
In this position. N0w - we are taking OF tness
i REpoRrER--Mr Collector, you are talkings
! COLLEcTOR-Well let me state, once for ALL that
there s not particle OF truth IN any o. .ne cnages
Of aii cOmplicty or cOnnivance with any ruudulent
| transactions In winch my name was used for parti-
| san purposes during the war
REponrEK-And then you are not ready TO COM
NIT harl-kari. Mr. Murphy politically, OF course
! COLLEC TORI don't ike to acknowledge
| founded charges, and Will not give way to people
| VINO have good motive IN their attempt to sup
REpoRTER-rhat's plucky. But Is It not true that
President Grant rs crcdlted or discredited. a. you
IKE. with the intention 0l removing you from tilo
| position OF Collector Oi tile POrtY
UoLLEcToR-Yoa know rs much about that a.
do. attend to my business. The President mas
not notfc,i me Of mis- intention TO remove me.
asked for this position never Tor any position
10 resign INTO the hands Of the President the power
conferred on me whenever, III
/ TnE OPINION or THE PRESIDENT,
| the interests OF the country require IT, But dOn'e
think the President Will lake any sucn action with.
out substantial proof or my unhtness for the position
Here tile Collector with dignity, as did also
| the reporter. Mr. Murphy smiled with the bland
smile FOR which he Is distinguished, and bowed his
visitor out, rcmarklng with an oily chuckle pecu
liar To lat men, tat all was not lost that was In dam
ger.
| door aud politely showed the reporter The way "