New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-19
THE CUSTOM-HOUSE.
THOMAS MUnpIY's TESTIMONY PALMER-TiIE
CORRIGAN CASE-TiIE ABUSES OF THE GEN
ERhL ORDER SYSTEM.


The following extracts are from the first
part Of Collector Murphys testimony, the conclusion
of which, received by telegraph. we printed yesterday
Mr. Murphy was questioned about his knowledge OF
Corrgan the man whom he Ia said to have represented
that the President anxious TO have retained III 'n
Apprascrs Department and who after being dismissed
by Appraiser Palmer was reapponted TO position III
the Collectors Office
O. Was he in the Custom-house there at any time dur
ing your administration A. He was IN the tustp ~
house Immediately before left there uhuerslaiu no
formerly 10 the Appraisers ONCE. ,o. mo, q, TO-
move him. and that yon stated that was ne NJ
wish that he should be retained IN ine eSS scb wish
10 you 7 A. Never Sir do not tmnk the fre'iu'i'
O. Did he ever mention Corrigan's name to youi A.
O. Did You ever mention Corrlgan's name to him A.
o. o. Did Won tell GEN Palmer that the President re;
quesed that Corrgan should DC retained In tne 'cre
that at that time yGn I'D MT r knq 3 cG To-
NV recollcction that Corrigan was when no
was being examined before your Committee; o.. ,oro
O. Had you any possible reason for desiring 10 nave
Mr. Corrigan retained i'll service A. certainly coua
o. Mr.. Murphy. do you remember having, at any time
within few months after you became Collector an III
terview with Gen. Palmer, the Appraiser, IN company
with Mr.. Townley A. L do; remember Gen. rainier
O. win you state about what time this vast A. have
moi got the dates but my impression is that Gen Pa ner
gave the proper dates in his evidence; it was think in
the Fail OF 1870; whether him not have no
recollection have recollection OF his coming over
TO the Collectors Office and stating that he was going
home and that he had leave OF absence ron te
tary DAYS, and that he would come over tue next
day and bring Mr. Townley. who would be In command
during his absence; that Mr. Towney had fofnery pecI
a clerk OF H. j. Raymonds, and think lie added ohc VI
your people; that Is my impression H..
@ One of your people did, do You say A. Yes sir
anything want done, or any business Win
the Office during my absence he VIII attend TO-
MURPHY AND PALMER.
He spoke very pleasantly; talked with him about
think the CustomhOuse business; and think before
we got through talked politics some; might have said
to him that felt it was the duty OF every good R'puo
lcan to write and do all they could in crushing out this
Tanmany concern In the City OF New-York and Gen.
Palmer agreed with my views that day to that extent;
think said TO him when got through, that was so
much pleased with the manner In when ne had aheu
that had an opportunity, mention it to the Presi
dent; the handsome manner IN which he talked tii'
q Mentioning to the President the manner I'm which
he talkedl A. In which he Palmer) talked; may nave
that day or the day, in Conversation said 10 MN
that had been informed that Mr.. John V. Grdley,
whom looked upon as nothing more tnn an a5enI ..
Tammany had been TO the Appraiser store or he Pr
pose OF controlling appointments ana removals.
BY Mr. Cassery.Q Yousay now think 0n toiu n I
think did occur, but am not positive; want to be as
charitable as cam am satisfied that IN hat conyGrsa
that had been informed that Mr. Grdley was Trying 70
Gon5rG eat a on the by
President because he did not think he was proper man
Office,
President should hear that he used influence in Federal
departments he would not be pleased wit 1t.
OFF A. He was Collector in the Eighth District.
O. Collector of Internal Revenue Z A Yes, sir; the
being examined before your Committee dropped in
the Aston House while he was there as witness ana
mani' he says, "That is man by the name OF Corr,
gan he is inspector In the Customhonse co,,Hs
that in the CustOm-llouse." 49, , A.,
a.xrQ
q. DO you remember an interview between yourself
and Mr. Palmer and Mr. Towney the day after the inter
view with Palmer of which have just been speakingf
A. The day after Mr.. Townley came over with Mr.
Palmer and he said he would = ana we had CONVEX,
sation on day also, the substance OF WHICH think
o. The substance of the conversation A. Yes Sir;
see that he referred to speaking Of who the
which had forgotten; do not think he was correct IN
his statement though, in regard to that
AuITLE CONFUSION ABOUT ConRIGAS.
O. Did the conversation between you and Mr. Palmer,
which you spoken Of take place at this interview
or the day beforc A. The last portion of the converse
ton think took place at this Interview When AoWhiey
was present
O. You mean about Grdleyi A. Yes. Sir.
O. With regard to Gridlcy. what took place at the in
tery!ew You had with Palmer alOnel A. / might have
mentioned to him, at the first conversation, that heard
that Mr. Gridey had been trying TO make removals and
appointments IN the Appraisers office. and somebody
may have mentioned to that there man by the
name of Corrigan among others that lac might have
attempted to remove that name may have been men-
toned, although do not remenberit 1t;
O. You that might have taken place at the CONVEX
sation between you and Palmer alonef A. Yes, Sir 1t
might have taken place nj both.
O. Now state what took place at the second Interview,
as nearly as You can A. My recollection Is that ne
there think there were others present whom do not
recollcct Ithink the conversation became general SIR
with regard TO the next Governor who ought to be nom
mated for Governor. . -,
A. Such conversation might have occurred, though
do not rec0llect 1T.
Q. You do not recOect It'll A. No, Sir.
MR. MURPHY DOES NOT KNOW HIS OWN MIND.
O. Mr.. TOwnley states that at this interview between
you and Gen. Palmer in his presence Gen. Palmer told
you he would do what you wished about Corrganl A.
Well, I did not understand him in that way under
him say that anything wanted done. to let Mr.
Towney know of it; did not believe for moment that
IL would be DONE
O. You did not what A. never believed for ono
moment that anything would request OF Mr.. Palmer
would be done always felt that directly the opposite OF
O. Well he says also that at that interview you re-
piled to Ar. Palmer that you had spoken to the Pres
dent the retention OF Corrgani A. That portion
of IL have recollection whatever OF.
BY Mr.. Casserly-Q. VIII you repeat that answer II
you peasei A. | say that portion iii have no reco-
lection whatever Of yet it may have occurred. that
saw the President that evening and might have men
O. Mentioned WHAT A. The manner in which Gen.
Palmer has spoken Of acting in accord, harmonious.
BY Mr.. Howe-Q. Yes Sir; but TOwnley says that you
said you had spoken to the President about Corrgan
A. Well, that story is absurd, Sir.
O. Is it untrue Z A. Its made out OF whole cloth.
BY Mr.. Bayard-Q. Sir A. It's entirely untrue; that
is manufactured at least, there Is very great mis-
apprehension on their part
Iy Mr. Cassery-Q Wei, let MS get all this down now
What did you entirely untrue made Of whole
CLOTH manufactured misapprehended what pre-
else statement A. This conversation about Corrigan
and the President the President knowing
ing heard OF COrigan know lac did know him,
and never heard OF him.
Mr.. Casscry-Well, 1 ought not 10 have interrupted
Senator Howe at all. But what want Is TO have the
witness define exactly the language put into his mouth
he SAYS was manufactured out of Whole cloth should
like him 10 define that now, SO that may have
starting point as to this conflict OF testimony
BY Mr.. Howe-Q. What was Townley's representation,
then. that you say was Misrepresentation A. With
regard 10 my having spoken to Gen. Palmer about the
President being anxious about Corrgan and that tho
President wanted COTrigan retained.
O. You 10 untrue that you told Gen, PalInerf