Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-01-13
CUSTOMHOUSE CORRUPTION.
RadiCaIiSm Turned Inside Out.

"DisagreeabIe Discussions
NEW YORK, Jan. 12.-The Congressional
| Committee this morning received letters,
| complaining of losses of goods, among
which are some from II. B. Caflin, stating
he lost goods while in the custody Of the
| Customhouse officials. He also states he
made complaints to Mr.. Palmer when he
was in the CuStomhouse, but never re-
ceived any satisfaction.
The committee received a tabular state
ment of the number of persons employed
and removed from the Customhouse under
the last six collectors. The number Of re-
movals under Murphy were "a per cent;
those under Grinnell, 81 per cent; under
Smith, 81 per cent. The cost of collection
under Draper was 3.24; under Smythe,
1.96; under Grinnell, 1.50; under Murphy,
1.55. The receipts under Grinnell were
S17S,9S5, ,2S5; under Murphy, $202, 790,074
The latter collections of Murphy cover the
per cent. running from July, 1870, to Nov.
20, 1871, whereas GrinnelPs collections
cover the time from April, 1869, to June 20,
1870.
Assistant Collector IClinch testified that
the difficulty in the general order bust
ness might be avoided by allowing five days
for landing, the collector not to be in pos
session of the goods till landed. He did
not think the goods would be as safe in the
stores of the steamship companies as in
those of the government. He considered
the general order business the most valu
able perquisite in the gift of the collector.
Here occurred disagreable discussion
between Senators Casserly, Bayard and
Howe, because of the assistance and active
aid given to the latter by Bliss and Ex-
Surveyor Wakeman. Sena'o or Howe COM
planned of the other two Senators taking ex-
ceptions to the same, and said that the
Honorable gentlemen had not treated him
with the full measure of justice due him.
Senator Casserley denied any intention to
do the Honorable gentleman injustice, but
wanted it to be distinctly understood that
he would not assent TO the course pursued
by the Administration friends, who, it
would appear to the public, were trying in
an indirect manner to examine witnesses.
The discussion was arrested by the inter
vention of Senator Buckingham, Chair
man, who begged that the gentlemen, who
were all indisputably Honorable, would
avoid unpleasant controversy.
The investigation then continued.
ClinCh's testimony related largely to the old
laws as to general orders, etc.
ron the retirement of Clinch discussion
arose between the Senators on the subject
of examining witnesses who had been
subppnaed two days previous, and were
waiting to be heard. Senator Stewart pro-
posed, however, that the Deputy Collector
should be called to rebut part of the evil
dence against the Customhouse. COnsid-
cradle argument arose on the question of
priority. Stewart took the ground that
the Customhouse people should now be
heard.
Senator Bayard thought there were no
sides to the matter at all. If he had had
any idea that the Committee had been ap-
pointed in the interest of partisans, he
should have declined to act. He was no
mans man. He would not consent TO take
part in any but public investigation.]
Deputy Collector James then testified as
to the packages, etc, stored in the general
order warehouses, and said, have heard
many complaints against the exorbitant
charges of Leet and Stocking. Their stores,
besides being ''general order stores" can be
used as bonded warehouses. l think the
general order business pays enormously.
The rates of charges might be reduced i'm
mensely, and still leave fair margin Of
profits.
In the course of this witness examinA-
ton it transpired that Leet & Co. do bust
ness under different names in their two
general order stores, though the same firm.
Witness admitted having received occasion
al complaints of excessive charges on mer-
chants by Leet & Co., but he never heard a
complaint of want of accommodation.