New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-22
The New York Customhouse Investigation


WASHINGTON. March lS.-Befbre the Gus
tomhouse investigating committee this
morning ex Collector Murphy was asked
why he did not yield to the request of the
general sentiment of the New York mer-
Chants, who objected to Leet and Stockings
conduct of the general order business, and
the recommendation of the Secretary OF the
Treasury, based on the results of the Pat
terson committee, to restore business to the.
Jersey side. y
In reply, witness said he did not under
stand that to be the general sentiment of
the merchants and thought the Secretary
OF the Treasury was mistaken. tie did not
think the steamship companies were proper
custOdians for unpaid goods, their interests
as importers and common carriers being
identical. Witness said in the latter part
of the summer of 1870, in conversation with
the iPresldent at Long Branch, the Presi-
dent said he wanted Leet to 60 into business
elsewhere than in New York, regretting
that Leet had gone into the general order
business. The President then informed
Murphy that he did not want to embarrass
him in his appointments, but spoke merely
for the retention OF two persons then IN the
custOmhouse, one of whom had been a class
mate and roommate at West Point with
General Grant.
The witness said A. 7. Stewart was in
favor of the restoration Of the general or
der business to steamship lines because of
the business facilities they could give him,
but witness said whether such facilities
were superior to those which could be af-
forded by other parties was another ques-
ton. He had always felt free to do justice
TO all parties in the general order Of busi-
ness.
Witness did not tell Cleveland, brother
in-Iaw Of Horace Greeley, that the general
order business was controlled or fixed at
Washington. He had a conversation with
Cleveland on board the steamer at Long
Branch Cleveland brought two stools
and they went toward the centre OF the
boat and sat down. when Cleveland said,
Mr.. Murphy. don't want to embarrass
you, but l would like to have a share of
the general order business" Mr.. Murphy
said that was delicate matter to touch:
he would do something for him if he could,
and promised to take the matter into con-
sideration. He might have said to Cleve-
land that there was gentleman ia Wash
ington to whom be at times thought of
giving some of the business. Having been
asked who that person was, Murphy re-
sponded the present naval officer, Latin,
who was at that time member of Congress.
Witness was asked whether he had been
concerned in real estate speculations with
Tweed, Connolly, Sweeney and Hugh.
Smith He replied that he had made only
one purchase in which he gave them an in
terest. He had purchased two blocks at
$542, 000 After he instructed his attorney.
TO buy he wanted Governor Morgan to take.
part of the property but Governor Morgan
had not time then to look into the matter,
being about to leave New York, to remain
away week. Murphy next day met Hugh
Smith, who offered to buy an interest.
They got into a hack and went together to
Delmonico's Hotel, where they talked over
the matter Smith himself made arrange
ments by which the other parties became
purchasers of part of the property. The
city was at no expense, as the streets had
been graded and paved. and no improve
ments were required to be made
He was interrogated as to the removal
from the custOmLOuse of men who adhered
to the former system of ratifying primary
elections. He furnished their names to the
Secretary OF the Treasury. The postmaster
and other officers might also have furnished
names. Those men who were removed were
Tammany Republicans, and were accused
by the New York Tribune and other papers
Of Obeying Tweed, who for several wears
controlled the Republican organization of
New York city.
Senator Bayard remarked that the i'm
preston had been made that Tweed run the
Democratic party.
Witness, in connection with the subject of
removals, said he was neighbor OF Gen
eral Porter at Long Branch, and had re-
ceived letter from General Porter nquir-
ing about those subsequently, removed,
which lie Murphy believed to have been
written under the direction of the Presi-
dent; at least he acted on it as such.