The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-09-07

ing the records in charge, and state what we
know to be true and what we ask any Demo-
crat to investigate for himself; land we assure
him that all the papers and documents will
be promptly and cheerfully exhibited to him.
In the first place the statements in the ar
gus both as to the officers and salaries in 1862
and 1872 are incorrect, and Inaccurate and
by no means show the difference in the num-
Der and compensation of the custom officers
in those years. There are material errors in
regard to both years-but not to dwell at
length on these discrepancies it would
take too much space to specify them ALT is
sufficient to say that we have ascertained:
LIST. That there are fewer officers in the
Custom House now, in proportion to the
business than there were in 1862, and
I'd. That the expenses are not only COM
paratively less than they were then, but that
they are less than they euer acre in this
Custom House or any other in New England.
The business of the Portland Custom
House 10 much greater than would be implied
from the amount of duties collected; for the
goods imported, destined for other ports, ex-
coed in amount those imported in that way in
any other port (unless New York may be
possible exception) and exceed many fold the
goods on which duties are paid here-but the
labor is performed here, and nearly as many
officers are required to do it as would be if
the goods were entered for consumption.
Sd. Taking into consideration the official
fees collected at this port, and the tonnage
dues and duties on coal for the outward con-
sumption of Steamships in the foreign and
transit trade the receipts of the office, in the
form of fees and such dues as do not pertain
to the ordinary revenues on articles consumed
in the Country, and which therefore should
properly go to pay the expenses incurred to
do this business, are nearly sufficient to pay
all its expenses; and it is the only port in
the Union of Which this thing can be said.
In other words it comes nearest being self
sustaining of any port in the country.
4th. That the total value of exports were
! in
1852, $4,517 $500
1871, $19, 1856, 426.00
or four and half times more than in 1892
whereas even according to the Argus' fig
ures the expenses of the Custom House here
are not increased in more than about one
half this ratio:-
That the Imports were in
1862, SALT, 1900
1871, $3S, 421, $4,000
showing an increase in the value of both Ex-
ports and Imports of 500, 7S6, 401 90 and
that the expenses of the Custom House
ought to have zen increased so per cent
more than they have been if the expenses
are to be in proportion to the amount of bus
mess.
The aggregate steam tonnage as per en-
tries at the Custom House were in
1862, $54,7O4
1871, 81 OO1, 1902
The entries of merchandise numbered in
1862, 1926
1871. 1924
| This is an accurate and exact test of the in
crease of the work and labor. This enor-
nous increase of business is owing to tile sew
eral facts:
1. The increase of imports cia steamships
for Western cities and for Canada-the steam
ships of to-day not only being more numer-
GUS than in 1861, but many of the ships are
of double the capacity of the the old ones.
2. To the increase of entries for consump-
ton here.
8. To the repeal of the reciprocity treaty
by which articles free in 1862 are now duti-
able. H.
But we will not stop with proving that the
expense of conducting the Portland Custom
House is less than it was in 1862, or at any
previous period, nor will we rely upon the
fact that the Collector has the most emphat-
ic concentrations from Secretaries Chase
and McCulloch (both Democrats) in respect
to his management of the Custom House
but we will add testimonial to the fidelity
and industry of the officers which we hope
even the Argus will not dispute. 1t is from
Charles P. Kimball, ESQ.,, former Surveyor
of the port, and who therefore knew of what
he spoke. As the force is no greater now
than it was in 1868, Mr.. Kimbalps letter
ought to satisfy every candid man in the
State true economy and hard work are the
rule at the Custom House, and that the ar
gus is shameless libeler, and utterly I'M
worthy the confidence of the people.
The letter is as follows:
PORTLAND Nov 20, 1868.
Hon. IsRARL WAsHBURN Jr. SIR: Yours of |
the 18th instant asking me if | would give YOU |
my views In relation to the force required for |
the proper discharge of the business at the Gus
tom House in this city, came duly to hand I |
cannot give you my opinion of the matter only
as 1T relates to the time when was there and |
will therefore say when entered upon my du-
ties as Surveyor of the port had formed an |
opinion from what had heard, that your force
employed was more than actually required to
discharge the duties devoving upon them and |
was quite fully determined if L found such was |
the fact to ask yon to reduce the number of of |
ticers, and if necessary to report the facts to
Washington, hence on assuming the duties of
my office L at once commenced to make all
necessary investigations by enquiring of those
best capable of judging, and by my own obser-
walton, and reluctantly came TO the conclusion
that more instead of less force was needed. es-
pecially during the winter months, as we were
daily short of men in places where the presence
OF an officer was very much needed. 1 there
fore sometime during the winter, 1 think In
January 1867, fully conculred with the views of
your first Deputy Mr. Bird, expressed by
him in letter to the Department asking that
more help should be allowed at that time, and
| think l wrote letter either to you or 20 the
Department at Washington setting forth my
views and giving the reasons why l thought
more help should be allowed. I presume a COPY
of that letter is on file at the Surveyors Office.
if so would refer you to the facts therein set
forth.
L therefore can only say now in strict answer
70 your questions that at the time left the
office, after my rejection by the United States
Senate there no more if as much as was
needed to properly discharge the business to be
done, ana unless there are now more officers
employed than at that time, or the business has
fallen off during the past year, which do not
suppose is so in either case, do not see how
the force can be reduced without detriment to
the government. l could not recommend as at
present advised, either an increase or decrease
In the nRmber of officers then employed
Yours respectfully
(Signed) C. P. KMBALL.
In the light of these facts, of the Argus
of last year and of Mr.. Kimbalps
letter is not this attack upon the city, its
business, its commercial importance and its
future. one that every honest man and every
friend of Portland ought to resent?
EVERYBODY COMEDIES THE ELEC-
TON OF PERHAM. A VOTE FOR KIM
BALL WILL HAVE NO EFFECT UPON
THE RESULT IN THE STATE BUT WILL
OPERATE ONLY AGAINST GRANT IN
THE COUNTRY.
Why Maine Republicans Should Do Their
Best.
The Dresent state of intense nolitical exc;ta