New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-13
CUSTOM-HOUSE ABUSES.
PROMINENT REVENUE OFFICIALS on THE
WITNESS STAND.


EVIDENCE OF AssIsrAT COLLECTOR cLINoH AND
DEPUTY COLLECTORS JAMES AND CLARK
SENATORIAL CONVENTION.
The Retrenchment and Investigation Committed
devoted yesterdays session at the Astor-House 20
the examination of leading Custom-honse officials,
and to discussing with some acerbity. two OF three
questions of propnety "Decoy" Bliss rs braz-
emily busy as heretofore. and Ex-Collector Murphy
and Ex-Surveyor Wakeman took as active part
they dared in encouraging and prompting their wit
nesses, especially Deputy Collector James.
Before proceeding with the examination subpenas
were ordered for II. b. ClaAin, who sent letter
complaining Of losinggoods in the Public Stores and
for the editor of The Daily Buetin who had charged
that etenths Of the importers found it necessary
to fee the Custom house officers Assistant Collector
Charles p Clnch the first witness, testified that he
had known Of but few cases of COLLISION between
importers and Custom-house employees lnhis opinion
law that no goods should be considered unclaimed
until FIVE days after the entry of the vessel would
do away with all further trouble as to the General
Order business He believed that the Collector and
the Secretary of the Treasury would redress any in
juries done by Leet & Co.
At this iuncture lively discussion arose "a to the
propriety of allowing "Decoy" Bliss and ex-Sur-
veyor Wakemen to suggest questions. Senator
Howe Acknowledged that he had obtained "a great
deal of assistance" a. e. from these regular coun-
sell for the accused Custom-ITouse crowd, and
was "glad to get it," Senators Bayard and
Casserlv. on tho other hand, said they had
received remarkably little information" from the
merchants fact they could only explain on the
supoositon that business men did not like to come
forward, lest they might be embarrassed in their
dealings with the Custom house. After considerable
contention the Committee continued the eXamlna-
ton of Mr.. Clinch, who reviewed the legls-
lation as TO General Order goods, and showed
the advantages Of the "fve-day" system. lie
thought il necessary that the Collector and Score
tary Of the Treasury should have discretionary
power, as at present to determine how many reve-
nue. officers were needed. Collector Grnnell, ac-
cordng to this witness took the General Order bust
ness away from the steamship companies becaus"
he believed that Americans, and not foreigners
should enjoy the advantages of that business Nght
permits Mr.. Clnch claimed, were absolutely CON
trary to law. and it was for that reason that Nj
Murphy secured their abolition.
A dis,ute as 10 who should be next examined led
10 an animated debate on the question OF taking
sides y in the Investigation. Senator Bayard said it
was the broad question of truth which they were
irving 70 como at and if he should ascertain that the
Committee "took sides he should resign from it,
Senator Stewart professed himself TO be on no man
side. but asserted that he would leave the Commit
fee If il heard accusations against any one and
then failed TO hear the defense. Senator Howe
thought tho members of the Committee were AL on
one sde-on the side of honesty against rascality.'
After some further discussion the Committee chose
AS the next witness Deputy Collector James, who
presented a list of the articles sent 10 the ware
houses in 1871 and explained the method of paying
sto ekeepers salaries As to Cusom-house politics,
he testified that III 1864 the inspectors supported Fen
ton who had secured the passage Of bill raising
! their wages to ~ day, but IN 1860, under
| Collector Smythe, anybody who voted for Ientou
did il at his peril" After describing the manner 0f
| bonding warehouse, he showed that bonded ware
houses can be converted into General Order stores
without additional charge 10 the Government, and
confessed that no knew no reason, except the I'M
willingness of the Collector" why such conversion
should not be made whenever desired. He acknowl-
edged that complaints OF Leet & Co.'s charges Tere
| occasionally" made by the merchants, and, when
messed, admitted that many such complaints
! had been made. Upon further questioning he also
| acknowledged that the rates need revising and
I'M ght be reducedD Deputy Collector 5. &. Clark.
| the last witness. gave account of the method OF
Selling and oOndemning goods supposed to be liable
10 forfeiture but the session closed for the day be-
fore any points of special significance had been
! elected.