The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-14
TIE CUSTOM ROUSE IEQUIRY.
An Ex-Inspeetor Of Customs Corrects His Former
Evidencs-AbcYt Extra Pay for Night
- Work-capta,a Dunn Contradict
ing Hillyer-Ths A'e u
Leers Detail.

WASHINGTON, March 10, 1872.
Before the Senate Custom House Investigating
Committee to-day
GEORGE B. EATON,
OF New York, under oath, submitted statement In
order to contradict the impression male before the
Patterson Committee. year ago, that he ever re-
ceived or consented to receive from the steamship
companies any money! in the way Of a bribe, for
services rendered. contrary to law, or to defraud
the revenue He states that ne received
-. EXTRA PAX FOR NIGHT SERVICE.
he being at that time an inspector Of customs The
largest sum he ever received from one company,
the National line was So for seventy hours SER
vice. the amounts he received being not lower than
$40. 4
In answer to question BY Senator Bayard Wit
ness said such payments were legalzed by the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury. The fees were sometimes
$50 $50 or $40; but under an order which mao peer
subsequently issued the zee was nxed ~ ~ .
Senator Casserly cross examined the wit.hess at
son committee, In winch he then saids-,"I carman
would presens US WIN n6 6lsnk envelope; 81 al
now said that the expianation he made at that time
effect that the money was received for extra clerical
service at night while taking on. board coal and
senator Pratt also cross-examned the wiCness
who said that since the order OF the Secretary OF the
Ssa exa @ tnan n ne
mad been In existence year and half before that
time The extra compensation was
NATTER OF PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT
between the inspector and the vessel The witness
gave as reason why ne came before the committee
the committee sat in New York lie heard
pnaned and therefore, thought, he would mot
have chance there TO present his voluntary testl-
nH IN mot
the committee or OF the Sergeant-at-Arms as to
whether he would be heard. He found no difficulty
Senator PRATT asked witness whether he did not
introduce himself 70 him tMr. Pratt In New York.
saying brother OF the Senator had been educated
by the father Of witness, and whether witness did
not then express desire to appear before the CON-
mitteeY
Witness replied in the Affirmative.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM DUNN
being sworn testified In relation to General Ay er's
letter, when was presented TO the committee YES.
terday, with reference to the points in General Por
SH
at vicKsburg until after General Hnlger left, not
having been detailed until after the capture OF
Vtcksburg. General Htllyer went to ST. Louis after
On cross.examlnatton by Senator Bayard,
ter, he informed him General Hillyer's statement,
as Just published, was not true as to Leets detail.
committee room, and his object IN coming here
was to
CONTRADICT GENERAL HILLYER'S STATEMENT,
General Alllyer not being ut headquarters when
he said he was. Senator Casserly also crOss-exanl-
ined the witness, who said that Hillyers resignation
took eject on the 18th OF May, 1858. He said he
wanted to be certain Of this, and therefore asked
General Porter to obtain from the Paymaster Gen.
erals ONCE the date OF Hiyer's last pay which
Porter did. the note from the PaymasIer General
showing this fact as the date Of resignation
was read The witness was member OIL Grants
star until within week OF Grants leaving yicks-
burg. He did not see Leet at headquarters before
the 2Sth OF July. He admitted that he (M0ore)
had been absent several weeks from head
quarters on business The witness did not
know who communicated to the commit
tee his wish to be examined. Being
at the White House to-day. he said to Porter. VINO
was standing near BabcocK, III see that HillyeT is
you; but Hillyer's statement Is not true"
Porter then asked him whether he would tell the
committee what he knew ana he answered In the
affirmative. He therefore appeared here for that
purpose.
The committee adjourned I'LL eleven O'Clock To-