The Portland daily press., 1871-01-25
hi5ts Congressman from soliciting appoint.


Mr.. Patterson addressed the Senate atlength
in explanation of the abuses in the diplomatic,
consular and civil service. While partly in ia
vor OF reform, he thought the bill detective
In the diplomatic service a reform could be in.
sttuted by dispensing with many of our for
elgn legations. To DAY our ministers in Hol'
iand, Austria, Denmark and Sweden, and the
catalogue could be enlarged we're of no practi
cal utility. One of our most intelligent minis
tiers to Europe told him (Patterson) that for
TWO years after reaching the court to which he
was accredited he had nothing whatever to do
In South America, where British commerce
far exceeds our own, our diplomatic service is
twice as expensive as that of Great Britain.
These useless missions should be abolished and
the remainder consolidated. Our consular
service was shown in the class of men sent
abroad, these being mostly young men, some
Just ftom college and utterly ignorant of COM
mercial laws and customs and unacquainted
with the country to which they go. Through
the incompetence of these officials false in
voices are certified to and the government
is thereby detrauded OF large amounts
In the early history of the government remov-
ais from Office were rare. During Washing
toms two terms there were but height, and un-
der Adams ten. Jefferson, though coming in
to office amid great party excitement, made
but thirty-fOur removals; Madison made five,
Monroe nine, and j. @. Adams two. Upon the
present condition of the New York Custom
House Mr.. Patterson had read letter from
William p. Dodge, which he said spoke in the
voice OF A. L. Stewart, Chittenden and other
leading importers of New York, who were be-
fore the Retrenchment Committee.
The letter, under date of a few days ago,
charged that appointments in the New York
Custom House were made for political reasons
and not with view to subserve the public in
terests; that officials were dependent for their
places on the beck of politicians, without in
centive to the proper performance of their du-
md in tad fnv oDf tkAsu GSnna
to play the part of pot house politicians The
investigation of the committee had developed
that immense amounts were lost to the gov
eminent through the corruption of the custom
mouse inspectors, who were not only in the
habit of securing brides from passengers on
foreign steamers, but even intimated to passen-
gers that everything could pass free upon the
payment OF certain amounts in cash. A dis
tinguished member of foreign legation now
in Washington informed him (Patterson) that
upon coming to this country about two years
ago, he was told by an inspector that if he
would place two guineas in the bottom OF his
trunk it would be passed. An agent for a for
eign steamship line had testified before the
committee that only week before last he had
paid $500 of bride money to inspectors to get
his vessel discharged, and only last year he
paid over $40, 600 in the same way The testi-
irony also showed that in nineteen inspection
divisions OF the custom house there were on an
average three inspectors more than was needed
at salary of $1,000, making $4,000 per annum
out of which government was defrauded. Some
of these officials lived out in the country and
only came to the custom house to draw their
pay. In one case an old apple woman, who
sold apples on street corner, had her name
on the pay roll for months and drew her nav
by proxy as weigher. The administration is
not responsible for having inaugurated this
corruption, as it dated many years back; but if
this administration would root out corrupt and
inefficient officers and supply their places with
men of integrity and ability, it would ACQUIRE
unprecedented popularity and prominence.
Mr.. Davis inquired whether in MIR. Patter-
sons opinion the adminislI alton had added to
its popularity by forcing the late Secretary
Cox from his office because OF that genteman's
efforts to improve the tone of the evil service.
Mr.. Patteri on thought that it remained to be
seen whether that was the reason why the Sec
rotary retired. He Davis assumed as a fact
what 1t was necessary to prove.
MIR. Patterson concluded with an appeal for
return to the original system of making APP
pOntmentS upon individual merits without
reference TO political patronage.
Mr. CoDkling replied to some of Mr. Patter.
sons state nents relative to the New York
Custom House, asserting that be (Conkline)
was an unbiased witness, having never direct.
" or indirectly recommended to the Collector
the appointment or retention of any man in Of
fee, and that the investigation referred to by
Mr.. Patterson had been set on foot by political
opponents aud for party ends Reminding the
Senate that an efficient administration of the
custom house would not be likely to win the
applause t ct importers WHO paid duties. and re-
marks were simply that human nature was
fallible and weak, he added that 90 matter who
might be appointed inspectors the practice of
giving presents to those officers would still
continue. The investigating committee had
exceeded the authority in going to New Yolk
cOn0uCt inv .irot FIN, xp;< nj
doors. He asserted that nothing whatever had
been developed to reflect in the slightest de-
gree upon the collector, naval officer or sur
veyor of the port of New York. If this was not
SO ne called upon Mr. Patterson to state the
contrary.
Mr.: Patterson denied having in any manner
attacked or even referred to those officers and
stated that the testimony in no way implicated
them.
After further discussion Mr. Scott made IN
lnaffectual attempt to get up the special order
on the income tax repeal bill and after euloeies
on the late Senator Morton by Messrs. Vickers,
Stockton. Sherman and Thurman and the usu.
al resolutions of respect the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Bills were introduced and referred as fol-
lows: BY Mr.. Coburn OF Indiana, to amend
the act Of the 18th of August 1866, regulating
the diplometic and consular bill.
A resolution from the Committee on Elec-
tons on the North Carolina Shaer- Doyden
election case, that the former sitting member
was entitled to the seat, was adopted.
The bill consolidating aud establishing ter
ritorial government for the Indian tribes was
discussed during the morning hour and recon-
mitted to the Indian Committee with l. ave to
report after February ID.
resolution by Mr.. Logan was adopted, gu
thOriziDg the sub committee in regard to the
kidnapping and compulsory resignation of
three cadets, to proceed to West Point and
take testimony as being the better and more
economical plan than to bring witnesses to
Washington.
Mr.. Young, of Georgia, presented the Gre
dentials of Stephen A. Corker, member elect
for the 9TH district of Georgia, and moved he
be sworn, Mr.. Corker's credentials being in
due form and signed by Gov. Bullock
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts, objected and
the memorial of Thos. G. Baird, con-
testant, claiming the seat, and moved that the
subject be referred to the Committee on Elec-
tons. A long and animated discussion fol.
lowed, participated in by Messrs. Butler, Jones
Of Kentucky, Niblack of Indiana, Young of
Georgia and Dawes of Massachusetts. The
motion offered by Mr.. Butler was then reject
ed Al to 148, and Mr.. Corker was sworn in.
The diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill having been completed in committee of
tho whole, it was reported to thesH ouse and
passed, Mr.. Woods amendment that no mart
Of the secret service fund should be used in
with the annexation of San Do
mingo being rejected. Adjourned.