Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-11-30

ouiiPtiNc cNlucACc VI ohCA vi NN
books, first denies that they exist;
then acknowledges that they do
exist, but that an "old board" was
responsible for them; then says he
signed the warrants, but only min
isterially;;" and then says he did
not sign themat all, that his name
was forged to them, but never ex-
hibits a particle of surprise or in
dignation, and never proposes,
during six long months Of
agitation, to aid in any Investigation,
or put anybody on his trial, or bring
anybody to justice. 1t is almost an
insult to the public to pretend that We
have no right to charge Hall with
fraud because nobody has been able to
trace any Of the money into his pockets
or into his bank account. If such
proof were necessary to moral convic-
ton, nine-tt nths of the thieves could
boast unblem:shed regulations. There
IN " not DE prof enouyi to send Kim
to Jail, but there is proof enough to
drive him out OF Office, and out of
every honest mans house and company
These changes in the city gov
eminent have been very apprOpri-
ately followed or accompanied by
the resignation of Collector Murphy,
which he has at last had the decency
to send in, and which the President
has accepted with profuse express
sions of esteem and confidence,
which, perhaps, he owes Murphy,
but which it would have been We'll
for his own reputation. if he had
refrained fiom Offering. There can
be no doubt that Murphy was APP
pointed in order that he might do
4 n certain kind OF work in the Gus
tomhouse, and there is no doubt
that he did it; but that work was
not the prompt, careful, and ronest
collection of the revenue. We know
Of one ease, at least, in which, just
after taking Office, he confesse tisto
q merchant of this city--whO wen.
to him to intercede for an upright
and efficient officer of long standing
whom he WAS I'll ssnissing that he
(Murphy) WAS put there to "r'ln''
the CustoIn!ouse for the best in
terests of the party, aud that he
meant to do it, and that, although
he acknowledged the truth OF all
/ that was said III favor of the gentle
man in question, lie would have to
90, as his place VAS needed for a
more "usefal" man. 1t was because
| it was this kind Of service that the
Collector was expected to render
that a man of Murphy's class was
lectod for the place, and that class
includes, in tina city, Tweed, Con-
molly, Hugh Smith, Sweeny, and
the ike. Some of lis members are
Republicans, others Democrats; all
have some nominal ealing, and all
speculate" in city Iea. estate, and
know good deal about it, as MUIR
| ply sayshe does; but they all man.
age to help !sheir specuIations by a
little politics." M a
The amount Of Murphy's col,cc-
tons at the Custo,nhouse, and the
cost per cent. have been sent on
from Washington as a sort of pact
ing touch OF whitewash, but we
warn the reader that these figures
lroye nothing and reveal nothing.
What we need to know first is how
much might be collected, and at
what cost, by an efficient business
man; having got this, we should be
in position to Judge of Mlrphy's
efficiency, or that OF any. politician
who takes his place. We believe
the general opinion of the mercan-
tile community here is that the
Ccstomhouse was never worse man.
aged than under his sway. To his
successor, Mr.. Arthur, We know OF
only two objections-that he is a
lawyer and not a merchant, and
that he is aud has been a warm
friend and supporter of Murphy,
and an active politician of the same
wing of the Republican party.
Personally, he is gentleman and
a man Of education, but the fact
that he is prominent member oil
'the Customhouse faction" forbids
the hope that he will take the Gus
tomhouse ont ofpolitics or institute
any real reform. 1t is Tor the people
Of the United States to sayshow
I long this plan Of reforming the