The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-19
Evening session.


The investigation was resumed at half-past seven
O'Clock last evening. Several communications were
received, but the consideration Of them was post.
poned until this morning.
ARTHUR g. TILLoTsON TESTIFIED:
l am an importer Of telegraph ana railroad
matter; know something OF the general
order business; believe that the charges are
too heavy; IN one instance, for The storage
and carriage OF 80 bundles OF wlre which remained
In general order only two three days, when
presented my permit the bill was $3.50; considered
the charge eXOrbianJ and protested to Leet Il Co.,
but was told i could not hep myself; applied TO
Mr. Cornell and was told the charge would be moli
fed; received a modified bill fe. days after
making difference OF thlrty-siA dollars in the
whole amount; they retained five coils OF
wire until the bill was PAID, and have not yet re-
ceived them; the comparison Of these charges with
the bills OF other bonded warehouses is much
greater; the charges IN other stores equal secu
rty TO the Custom House stores of this city are much
more moderate; Mr.. Cornell is q gentleman in whom
mad every confidence; he has always treated me
with fairness; when demonstrated with Leet 4 Co.
/ was treated with rudeness; made application
through my broker, who Is son OF the Deputy Col
ector, 10 Leet and he refused to receive my clam,
though charging i've times as much As another first
class warehouses; then applied TO the Collector Tor
keep my wire Out OF general order, and sent
my Dookkeeper TO the pier TO do so.
Inc Inspector tOlu MIN ne would Keep
the wire OUT OF general order long as was wished
Oh consideration of a certain beng paid, which
was done, Dut NOTWITHSTANDING, the wire was sent
to LectS stores; was subjected very heavy charges
during the Plussian war on various articles tnat
were imported; have received whole invoices Of
goods before the charges have been paid; mer.
chants oil good standing receive goods without
thelr having them retained as security Tor payment;
IL has been my experience IN the city OF New YORK
tnat In order escape excessive charges of the
general order warehouses an underhand arrange
meat Is frequently made with the Inspectors have
charges have been subjected to, and found their
experience TO be mine The inspectors who receive
brides detain the goods on the per- don't know the
name OF the inspector who took s25 from me; have
frequently made similar arrangements.
O. Don't you know that corrupting public officers
Is very demoranzing to the services A. 1t cannot
he any more demoralized than 1t Is at present; all
the Custom House onCias are corrupt; have made
bargains with mali dozen Inspectors; did not
know until lately that such arrangements were tile
gitimae II placed In the same position again would
consult my interest first ana my conscience after
wards; In any case believe would not be dong
muca wrong.
Senator BAyARp protested against the action of
MIR. stuart whom he charged with an attempt TO
bolster mp the crimes oil the Custom House oliicals
by recfiminating upon the merchants or New York.
u was one thing 10 Investigate the conduct oil Of
hcals and another TO analyze the conduct Of the
merchants Of the city.
Witness continued-Never reported any OF the
cases OF bribes In which have been concerned TO
the Custom House; believe II would he well Tor the
merchants TO report SUCH crimes; but the provoca-
ton, the general order business should be re-
moved and Then there would be no necessity |
for brides; IL snouid not cost any more 10 !
have goods stored In general order than
IN an ordinary bonded warehouse IL IL the stem
TO force goods into general rapidly as pos
sible; IN one instance lot Of wire has been nut |
into general order though permit was sent To the
ship TO procure IL; IL was pronounced an imposition
by my broker; cal LED on Mr. CorDell, but he was |
ont; the inspector came To ne afterwards ami |
assumed the charges himself; DeIng q personal |
friend OF MIR. Cornell assisted me as he would |
not have done others; have not studied how the |
general order business could he rcmeded but |
think 1t could be vastly improved Ir proper means
were employed TO bring about a refOrm have |
mover had any goods plaged wnlle lying on the |
pier under agreement with the inspectors; cannot |
give you the names OF the inspectors whom have |
brlOed don't know one from another: IN one IN |
stance was asked 10y MIR. Cornell 10 furnish the |
name OF an inspector; could not 10 so; Mr.. Cornell
told me he would cut his head OH III a minute II he
found HIM.
Senator PRArr-Ilave you found other Custom |
House oncials corrupt besides the inspectors A. |
we'll, we had some intercourse with the weighcrs--
Qaughter)--ln some cases they have served w Tor
he failed 10 perform
2. The object OF these gratuites was 70 make |
inspectors and weighers do what otherwise they |
were prohibited by law from doing A. did not |
look upon 1t In that hight; they had certain dis.
cret0nary power over putting goods In general |
order; tney could detaln them ON the pier at |
pleasure.
Senator HowE-You say you have bribed more |
IMAM q dozen inspectors, ana yet you don't know
one OF their namesY A. No, sir
q. DO you know any other merchant who mas
made sucn arrangements2 A. Yes; II you want
names Mr.. Bloomfield, my neirhDor, VINO mas toia
me he mas done similar to myself
senator HOWE moved That Mr.. bloomfield DC sum-