New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-22
SIXTEENTH DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

TESTIMONY OF JOHN G. WILLIAMS.
Mr. Williams, of Williams & GuiOn, appeared
response to request OF Mr. Casscry on Friday to
furnish of the moneys paid to inspectors
by the steamship line belonging TO his nrm In addition
to the moneys allowed by law.
INSPECTORS GRATUITIEs
MIR. williamson regard to moneys paid TO Customs
officers have made inquiries and find the rule is this:
where officers perform extra duties we make them
present OF something after the ship discharged and
the is done, from $40 10 SIS and S2O it is given
simply extra work; do not look 1t in the
light OF bribery by means there is frequently night
work be done; for instance this week two of the Off
GERS wrote until - o'clock at night in copying permits
that was Of great service to well 10 the mer-
chants.
copying OF these permits A. never heard OF any.
O. There Is no law to pay officers for cOpyngi A. Not
O. They are prohibited by law from receiving money
for such service, are they mott A am not aware OF
O. How long have you been familiar with this business
O. How was it 40 years agOi A. About the same as it
now we always gave the gratutles when wa, lad
have done 1t many and many tilne III 1act, always
O. During that period Of 40 years did you make
any representations the Collector concerning this piac
ticei A. l never have made any complaint have
Q What collectors A. spoke more particularly and
What PeEGdf Ss nS SSdS it must
be stopped must not do il no right to do It : and he
OF course, anything; but think they some way
other receive gatue in most cases where they have
q Has the'amOunt which yOu paid been regulated by
custom, IL special in each casel A. think there is
no regularity about IT. depends upon the feelings of the
gentlemen; II they think the officer has been very useful
he has not done SO much, $40 If nothing extra, why
q tits graduated by the amount Of work done outside
of working hoursi A. Yes Sir.
Q. Would there beany difficulty If it Is necessary TO
have that work DONE in fixing schedule OF prices for
the extra work and having paid for by ,Se %ST Of
not done in old countries think 1T is done in that
Way-paid by the hour or Dy the JoD
HOW BRIBERY SUPPRESSED
Senator Casserly-Do you know that anybody has
really and earnestly tried to suppress this practce A.
do not what mean when speak Of these gratues
a. n the officer attends his duty and do mt put any
hindrance in the way OF dischargng of the vessel IT,
on the contrary he happens along an hour,
or three or over, in that give him gra-
tulty perhaps give larger fees now than we did IS
years ago .. - l.. 49,. A.. -.
Mis- "T ana helm the Inspector 70 certify them a. sup
pose Il could be done but should say that would be
or course you are Largely dependent upon the good
shpi a. They have the means of retarding us very
@ without appearing much to violate their duties
A. wan might copy the permits IN an hour. he might
three hours and could not find any fault with
@ DO you understand the practice OF yOur line ex;
tends any other steamship line II does to several
of them 10 my almost certain knowledge.
O. Those among the largest, the Inman for instance
@ Did you speak to Mr.. Grinnen about 1t more than
oncei A. think had three conversations with nm.
@. He said IL was all wrong and must be stopped A.
@ Did he stop it' A. He issued proclamation
directing that mono should be paid but Judge the
practice was stopped far my knowledge goes
not entirely, at any rate.
COL. LEFT MISSING
Mr. Bayard asked why Mr. Let not placed on the
stand.
The Chairman said he did not know OF any particular
reason and asked il Mr. Leet in the to which
no answer was returned The Chairman said he would
insist upon Mr.. Leet being present when wanted.
Mr. Casserly said Leet was present during MI STOCK
Sr Bavard observed that Mr.. Leet present before
lis evidence was called for
TESTIMONY OF JUDsON c. WATSON.
The Charman-What is your BUSINESS "A. StOrektepeS
81 Leroy and West-sts.
Q. In whose employ A. In the employ Of the Govern
mont have been in the Department since the 18th OF
October 1870 and in my present position since tue 18th
of March, 1871.
Q. VIII you state the manner in which Won perform
your dutiesl I placed there and instructed TO sea
that goods pass from the warehouse without proper
permit and TO make record Of ali goods that enter the
warehouse that delivered from it, and to SEQ that
no pecnaton anything of that character and
@ DO take any notice OF the condition Of packages
whether they are in good ORDER or noti A Yes; that
q Do You make a record Of whether they in good
that Il done by the warehouse people themselves. $500
@ Then you have not perfect record OF tho condition
that H. that are not all the time a. the receiving door
ha, We have these records make. and must be in the
oftce writing a good share OF time
O. Have yOu had complaints Of abstraotions OF goods
from the General Order store A. never knew an In
stsnce personally since have been there. ,o ,oo
q DO you know of any arrangements which have been
between the keepers OF the General order store
tie officers OF The Customs in regard TO obtaining
goods Tor the storsi A. 1 DO not.
q DO You know Of any officer OF Customs who has re-
ceved amy gratuity for any extra service In that drec
toni 4. No. Sir.
senator Baysrd-what are your hours Of dutyf A.
tho lst OF April TO the 1st Of October from O'Clock
in the morning TO shutdown. and from October 10 April
fom O'Clock until shutdown.
q. What had been your occupation previous to your
Boekasn-st manufacturing the Wilcox cssping machine
u. Had you been connected with the Cusom-house
yarebousing business before A. No, Sir
q. DO and your colleague remain at the store on
duty all dayi A. Yes Sir, except when TO dinner;
then goes out and the other remains at the store.
O. How many doors there for the reception OF
Leroytt. side and fosr the West-st side they
double doors. five or six In each delivery.
HOW GOODS RECEIVED
O Are or the other Of the stOrekeepers always
present when goods put 10 the storei A We are
lot az the exact point OF receiving; have great
Cssi Of writing 10 do and no clerks 10 assist u.s.
O. Is tho Office In which you do this wrtngiso situated
you inspect the condition u the goods they
are rocsiyedi A. No. Sir.
Q. Arc not many goods receivedi while you IN the
oicef A. Certainly.
O. And you not able 70 take any account OF them
A Not while they at the and the Office
ticket; suppose other goods might IN and would
know nothing about II.
q When You 20 busiy engaged In your Office what
Scer OF the United Statt attends ~ the delivery aud
cptiCD vi goOdsf A. None
q Il one hall " your tue 2ld that OF your colleague