Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-01-20
CUSTOM HOUSE. CORRUPTION.
Leet'S Partner on the Stand.

NEW YORK, Jan. 19.-The Investigation
of the Customhouse frauds continued to-
day. Ex-Appraiser Palmer sent d letter
denying the testimony OF Spencer, to the
effect that an official removed by Palmer
and subsequently reappointed by Murphy,
was not removed for cause. A note was
received from Special Agent Howe, asking
opportunity to correct certain statements.
A broker testified as to the appraisement of
damaged goods, .-'...
Tomorrow night the committee adiourns
to Washington City.
A correspondence was submitted con-
corning the appointment of weigher Thomp-
son, by which it is shown that the Seere-
tary Of the Treasury declined to approve of
the nomination of That person as weigher,
alleging that he had information that he
was an unsuitable man, but on further re-
presentations of Murphy to the contrary
effect the Secretary consented to the ap-
pointment. The Secretary also declined
to approve of the removal of weigher Lake,
but Murphy further requested the change,
and the Department subsequently &C
quiesced. The copy of Murphy's letter
presented does not specify the charges on
which his subsequent letter was based
were given. The charges seem to have
been made on Murphy personal knowledge.
Treasury agent Howe submitted docu-
ments showing the amount of penalties
paid to the Government in 1871, on inform
alton by his men to be 1S7, ,173. The
amount distributed to the same Office the
same time in moieties was $220,501.
W. F. Stocking, Of the firm of Leet &
Stocking, examined by Senator Pratt, testi-
fed he met j. p. Lindsey at Wizards
Hotel, Washington, and was introduced by
the clerk. Soon after Lindsey told him
that GrinDen was getting up Carriage
Bureauin New Y ork, and with his influence
be ought to be able to get it. He procured
about thirty letters from Senators and
others, came on and got the Bureau at
$4,000 year as Superintendent and held it
until the Secretary abolished it. Almost
Immediately he joined Col. Leet and w.
Horton in the General Order Business.
In answer to Mr.. Bayard, said: Col. Leet
and l got into partnership through liking
for each other. Mr.. Grinnen said he would
like to do something for US and he gave us
a portion of the general order business, and
afterwards the whole of it.
Mr.. CasseTly-How did you succeed in
getting so many letters from Senators ? Is
it common thing for Senators to give
such letters?
Answer got them by my own in
tluence.
QuestiOn-Was not the general order one
of the prizes in politics that most of the in
tluential people here were contending for?
A.-SO l understood.
Q.-Was it not strange that Grinnell
should volunteer to give the general order
to you?
Al don't know.
Odd you ever hear Of external infu-
ence brought to bear on him?
A.-NO.
In answer to Mr.. Bayard-No one has
any interest N our business now but Leet
and myself. have only bowling acquaint-
ance with Gen. Porter. l had no letter
from him.
Adjournment to Washington Voted
Down.
a motion by Senator Stewart, that they
adjourn tomorrow to meet in Washington
Tuesday, was lost, and the committee will
continue their labOrs here next week.