The Portland daily press., 1872-03-19
WASHINGTON.
The New York Custom House In
vestigatiOn.
Testimony of Collector Murphy.

v WASHINGTON, March 1S.-Before the New
York Custom House Investigating Committee
to-day ex-Colector Murphy was asked why he
did not yield to the request of the general sem
timent of New York merchants, who objected
to Leet & Stockings conduct of the general or
der business and the recommendation OF the
Secretary of the Treasury based on results OF
the Patterson committee, to remove the BUSH
ness to the Jersey side. The witness said he
did not understand that to be the general senti-
ment of merchants, and thought the Secretary
of the Treasury was mistaken. He did not
think that steamship companies were proper
custodians for unpaid goods, their interests as
importers and common carriers being identical
Witness said that in the latter part of the sum-
mer of 1870, in conversation with che President
at Long Branch, the President said he wanted
Leet to go into business elsewhere rather than
in New York, regretting that Leet had gone
into the general order business. The President
then informed Murphy that he did not want to
embarrass him in his appointments, but spoke
merely for the retention of two persons then in
the Custom House, one of whom had been
clasS-mate and roommate at West Point with
Gen Grant. Witness said that A I. Stewart
was in favor of the restoration of the general
order business to steamship lines, because of the
business facilities they could give him; but wit
ness said whether such facilities were superior
to those which could be off red by other parties
was another question. He had always felt free
to do justice to all parties i'll the general order
business Witness did not tell Cleveland,
brother-in-law of Horace Greeley, that the gen.
eral order business was controlled or fixed at
Washington. He had a conversation with
Cleveland on the steamer on his way to Long
Branch. Cleveland said: "Mr. Murphy, don't
want to embarrass you, but woula like to have
a share of the general order business" Muir
ply said that was delicate matter to touch.
He would do something for him if he could,
and promised to take the matter into consider
alton. He might have said to Cleveland that
there was a gentleman in Washington to whom
- IL e AG H.
business. Having been asked who that person
was, Murphy responded twas the present naval
officer, Latin, who at that time was member
of Congress.
The witness was asked whether he had been
concerned in real estate speculatlons with
Tweed, Connolly, Sweeney and Hugh Smith.
He replied he had made only one purchase in
which he gave them an interest. He had pur-
chased two blocks at $542, 1000 After he had
instructed his attorney to buy he wanted Gov
Morgan TO take part of the property. Gov
Morgan had no time then to look into the mat
ter being on the eve of leaving New York to
remain away week Murphy the next day
met Smith, who offered to buy an interest,"
They got into hack and went together to Del
monicos, where they talked over the subject
Smith himself made arrangements by which
the other parties became purchasers OF part of
the property. The city was at no expenses as
the streets had been graded and paved and no
improvements were required.
He was Intercepted as to removals from the
Custom House of men who adhered to the for
mer system of certifying primary elections. He
furnished their names to the Secretary of the
Treasury and the postmaster and other officers
might also have furnished their names. These
men who were removed were Tammany Repub-
lcans and were accused by the New York Tri-
bune and other papers of obeying Tweed, who
for several years controlled the Republican or
ganization of New York city. The witness, in
connection with the subject of removals, said
he twas neighbor of Gen. Porter at Long
Branch and had received letter from Gen.
Porter enquring about these subsequently re-
moved. which he (Murphy) believed to have
been written under the direction of the Presi-
dent; at least he acted on it as such. Being
asked by Senator Pratt as to the statements
made by Senator Fenton in the Senate this
John Duke was not removed at Conkling's re-
quest and that Conkling never met to consult
or advise with him as to removals or appoint
ments. Adjourned till tomorrow.
LOUISIANA POLITICIANS.
Col. W. Carter has withdrawn his application
for the Surveyorship of Customs of New Or
leans He recommends the appointment of
competent colored man to that and other fede-
raj offices when changes are contemplated.
Messrs Packard, Casey and Parker had an
interview with the President on Louisiana af-
fairs.
THE OIL INTEREST.
The House committee will commence to hear
the committee of the oil producers tomorrow
against operations of Southern Improvement
Company 1t is said the people of the oil re-
gions have formd secret political organiza-
ton, which they claim will enroll over 80, 900
voters, and be strong enough to change the po-
ltical complexion of the State if necessary to
protect them from mOnOpOlists.