New-York tribune., 1872-09-30
local POLITICS.

TWO CUST0M-H0USE INSPECTORS DISCHARGED
FOR REFUSING TO PAY POLITICAL ASSESS
MENT.
The confidence which Gen. Grants pretense
OF Civil Service Reform should inspire in the public mind
has recently been strngly illustrated ia the case OF
William II. Mershon. discharged from the New-YOrk
Custom house for refusing contribute tho corrup.
ton fund by which the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS have hoped TO
perpetuate their power. Mersbon, who resides at No.
6Is Bushwicksve., Brooklyn, was appointed day in
spector in the CusOm-houso in February 1870, under
Moses II. Grinnen, and has held the position
since that time without any complaint having
been made in regard to his official conduct. About Sept
he was approached by Vim. Edwards, who handed him
q letter from the Executive COmmitte. OF the Grant
State Central Committee addressed to himself request
ing him to collect money for election purposes from the
inspectors employed in the Cusomhouse and to report
TO the Executive Committee the names all refusing
to contribute. Ten thousand collars wal the sum
qured, and each inspector expeotedto pay $40 1t
being optional with each whether no shuild pay the
whole sum at once or $40 at that tine and tho
remaining $50 on oct l. The letter was addressed to
Edwards a member of Custom-housc committee mp
pointed TO receive money contributed II consisted OF
himself Aaron Mccall, and another inspecorwho acted
treasurer No contributions paid in tie Custom
house hut the treasurer had Office by onFronts
where he in attendance at stated times receive
the amounts assessed on the Custon-house mpOyes
This the only effort made TO preserve the ap
pearance OF The amount raised Seft. from
tho inspectors more than 81 900.
MershOn after reading the letter from
Committee, handed 1t back to Edwards withGt word
though lie said very freely to his friends, bob in New
York and Brooklyn that lac could not and void not pay
for the reelection OF man whom he beevedio be cor
rupt, and whom he was working In every hpest way
TO defeat "Why" he said to TRIBUNE reporer, how
could give $40 toward the Grant fund when Ire been
Greeley man ever since the Cincinnati ConyeIlonl 1t
10 Inv he
been used for that purpose"
His determination not pay the assessment, at all
events the fact Of the nOnpayment OF the septeber
sessment must have reached the ears of the autOres
who control the appointments and removals Of th New
YORK Customhouse employees; for week ago last'rday
he was discharged from the Inspectorshp. He di not
hear of the fact however, till three days later. WIN he
was told by Mr. Maddox that Collector Arthur ha said
that he had removed Mershon because he had reoyed
| ample proof that the latter Greeley man Mr.
Maddox said that he had made an nenectual enot 10
have the discharge revoked and advised Mershon teal
| on Mr. Arthur and ask for explanation. dter
| some hesitation he concluded TO d0w
mase S effort to see Mr. Arthur He was NC N
the ante.roOm by Mr. Phillips, the Collectors chief erk
urging reconsideration OF the order removing hm. it
| would be in vain. Mr.. Mershon replied that suchVa
not his object lie had called to demand the reas1 0I
his discharge, and should respectfully but firmly sist
upon answer. Mr.. Philips went into tue Pirate
Office OF the Collector and returned with the statelent
that Mr. Arthur declined to see him or TO give any Tpy
| to bis question.
Mr.. Mershon at once closed his business as nspe@r
and in a few days presented his payroll to Deputynr-
yeyOr Benedict for the purpose of having II checed
| when that public servant exclaimed: 80 SOre
tainted with Greeeyism are youi This Is the ~y
These facts are given exactly as they stated res
teTday by Mr.. MershOn TO a TRIBUNE reporter Hehas
been active Republican for years. and was an
ardent supporter OF Lincoln and Grant. lie said hat
the only possible for his removal was te deer
minatOn TO exercise his rights as an Amer,an
citizen in the choice OF q President Two vars
ago be was resident OF the Fifteenth Ward or Ero0kyn,
where he appointed Inspector OF Elections Tree
or four times prior TO election he was called npoI by
j. obren the private & secretary ia y OF Thomas "a MI'hy
district IN the interests of E. d. Webster; 4" was IN
was manipulation Of the votes, and would not have
been asked 10 do anything myself except TO un away
spectors were webster and Murphy men, and would
have done all the active work. tod OBlkn say 10
house which would induce to do such hing; that
even If had no principle IN the matter ny political
feelings were all the other way"
connected with the CustOm-hOuse besides mself' who
had refused 10 pay the assessment, was Ehs Holmes
of Greenpoint-a light Inspector. lie aIoutspoken
Greeley man, and they had talked the natcrover 10.
gether when the tax FIRST levied and hadageed not
to pay it. Holmes discharged about the same time
with himself, and, SO far as he could lean Rom tre
same cause.
OFFICE-HOLDERS AS ELECTION DFUTIES.
Judge Woodruff will sit in the Ciuit Court
to-day. and Commissioner Davenpnrt vii lead before
| him the Deputy Federal Supervisors OF Eeon who
TO be sworn office. The names OF the ppOintees
withhed but it is understood that theyaye been Sc
eced entirely from the Grant Republica party and
that many OF them are Federal oficehoers. George
Bliss is said to be Commissioner Dayenpors confidential
adviser Among those who have beenpublcly an
nounced as the probable apuointees for hef deputies
| are the following:
Ist District, NJ. w. Burns -housweigher Ill
District, Henry O. Leask, CustomhousC weigher, and
Dennis Shea, internal Revenue gaugeIlIld District,
\ Thomas q. Gray, Nayy-Yard emplOye; Nth District,
Charles n Bracket Special Treasury Aipt; Hth Dis
trict Theodore Allen; With District, Dlie Crowley,
postonce sleEA WIN District District yOhpRriep Gus
house Inspector; XVIII District. Josep c. Pinckney,
U. s. Appraisers office XVlIth DISTRICT. H. Meilish.
L. S. Assistant Appraiser; AIHth Dstit. George W.
| Lyon or John X. Dillon. CusOm-houso sDerintendent;
| XXth District, u. 5. Assessor BOgert.
Col Des Auges. clerk In the Custom3use, Is TO be
| designated Chief Depety Marshal Of kctons under
Cen Sharpe. There Will be a chief depV in each As.
| sembly Districr