The New York herald., 1871-11-21
THE COLLECTORSHIP.
Mr. Murphy Resigns q Collector Of the Port Of
New Y0k-Gsneral Chester Arthur Ap-
pointed to Succeed Him-The Corre-
pondsnes Relative to the Subject.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 90 1871,
The announcement Of Collector Murphy's resg-
nation and the appointment OF General Arthur as
his successor will not surprise any OF the readers VI
the HERALD. ~ both facts have already appeared
IN these columns and were as certain for weeks az
they are to-day. The resignation and appointment
are mere matters OF form and occasion but little
comment here. It was the Presidents intention
In May last 10 nominate General Arthur. His name
was actually sent to the Capitol 70 be presented TO
the Senate for confirmation, but was cut or from
the list OF nominations at the last moment. Now
General Arthur gets the place which 1t was intended
he should have wnen Murphy was before ready to
retire from the New YORK Custom House.
1t Is gwen out at the White House now az at the
time the present action was agreed to, that the
change Is TO secure harmony In the republican
party and has nothing whatever to do with the
fierce personal war which was maze upon Murphy
by some republican journals.
>.-e following Is the correspondence between
President Grant and Mr.. Murphy on the resignation
Of the latter Collector OF the Port OF New York.
THOMAS MURPHY TO PRESIDENT GRANT.
CUSTOM HOUSE, NEW YORK..
CoLLECToR'S OFFICE, Nov III, 1871.
To THR PRESIDENT
hereby tender my resignation Of the once Of
upon the appointment or my successor. You
aware that during the perlod nave held this linz
been subjected TO persecution winch, for persist
ent misrepresentation ana unrelentlng vindictlVe-
ness, has fortunately but few parallels in the his
tory Of political strife. Throughout this somewhat
trying ordeai have been sustained, however, by
fact That, during my oriicM term have enjoyed H
unnerruptedly, and stiIl retain. your confidence,
da sse mannar uParas @ Wsh Ss
duties OF the ONCE have been performed
take pleasure in referring to the judgment Of my
NJ nj fla TrA md
to the figures 0 record In the treasury Department.
whicn show how the revenue has been collected
Unless your attention been called to this record
Il beg you Will refer to IT, grounaless as the asper
reiuted before more than one tribunal. / am con-
scious that my continuance IN office Will be made
inIure YOU and the republican party; and rather
than incur such q hazard would rellnquish my
position, even had II been coveted which you know
Wnen appointed believed could render SER
wee by accepting the place; now. believe caA
brace the opportunity IN severing my Official rela-
tons with the government Under these circum-
result or the recent election in this State. wnlch
leaves the control OF Its aairs substantially In the
which you are the acknowledged head, and for the
success OF which 1t WIN 0e my pride and duty
to labor. am. dear SIR, with high respect, Jour
obedient servant THOMAS MURPHY.
TUE PRESIDENT ACCEPTS THE KEsIGNATIoN.
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
N, IL
Hon. THOMAS MUarnY, Collector Of ths Port OF
DEAR sIR-Your letter Of the 18th inst. rendering
your resignation OF the 0flco Of Collector OF the
Port Of New York, with reasons therefor, is re.
ceiyed. gives me great pleasure to bear testimony
te the efficiency, honesty aud zeal with which you
nave administered the ONCE so long 1t has been
entrusted to your keeping. Your own peace OF
Oflce or Collector but doubt whether such q
course win in any sense be q benefit TO the public
from Ihe New York Custom House have been
largely increased and the cost Of collection IN
diminished. Tnis Is shown by the records OF the
treasury Department You have had my unquall-
c aSs o
aprointmenr would not have been rendered you.
That confidence Is st unshakcn, and, In accepting
your resignation desire to give you the fullest as
surancc OF this fact Whether you remain In or out
o. ofnce time WIN convince lust pubic Of your en-.
''' 80 'S'r'' - - 0' u. s. GRANT.
STATEMENT OF COLLECTIONS AND PERCENTAGE.
The following Is q statement OF amounts Of GUS
toms collected at the port Of New York Ior the
periods designated and payments on account Of ex
penses Of col. collecting cling tne same:aFor tne period O.
leciont sz,c7s ess; perceensage Of collection los
cS% SE1s ss e ssesnse; osssSse y or
lection, $270o,2S2; percentage OF collection, LAG
GENERAL ARTHUR APPOINTED COLLECTOR.
Shorty after the President wrote the above letter
he appointed Chester A. Arthur as the successor OF
Mr. Murphy, The commission OF MIR. Arthnr was,
during the morning. prepared at the Treasury De.
partment and viii without delay be forwarded to
New York.
Chester A. Arthur, The newly appointed Collector
having his SUIT Of oces at No sa Nassau street and
his residence In Lexington avenue In this city. He
served as inspector General on tne sian Of governor
OF Governor Seymour Mr. Arthur Is In the prime
OF life. SO far as is known at present he Is gen.
~ nj in nfrf
cal feeling HIS law firm is known as that Of Arthur
4 Gardiner.
What Collector Murphy Has 10 Say About
His designation.
Rearing the news OF Mr.. Murphy's resignation, q
HERALD reporter called yesterday evening at his
house to ascertain the truth OF the report and the
cause OF his retirement The interview was short
hut MIR. Murphy was very frank the subject OF his
resignation. The following conversation took
place.
REPoRTER-Your resignation, Mr.. Collector, has
taken many by surprise, because It was generally
thought that alter your successful refutatlon OF all
caumnies and the triumph Of the administrative re-
publlcans over the Greeley faction your position
was stronger then tn... ever. - -d,s
Nj MuRpnY-i have resigned because have &C
| complished the objects had In view when ! &C.
| ccpted the Coectorsnip. l never sought It, for
Snew snat the n position N2a .sss Resson
s n, m anu 70 me. my lIends advised
that 1t would ruin me financially, for the means re.
/ quired to keep up the republican organization IN
this city, which obligation naturally de-
| voved upon me- was far more than
i nv income from the Custom House could
| meet. l never made any assessments on any
| employs IN the Custom House, bat paid the money
required to run the machinery Of the party out OF
my own pocket. And the proof that had no pecu.
mary object to gain Is in the fact Of my resignation
for now that ihe election Is there would be no
sucn claims or any importance upon me. Besides
there Is the wear and tear OF mind, the long hours
and hard work which the arduous duties OF Col
lector necessarily require, and this Is the principal
cause OF my resignation. am tired OF all this,
and / told the President 30 some time ago. He