New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-09-03
MR. CURTISS RULES EVADED.

ASSOCIATIONS OF CUsToM-HOUsE INSPECTORS
ORGANIZED TO COLLECT ILLEGAL ASSESS
MENTS "A GOVERNMENT OFFICER BRIBED
BY A sMUGGLER.
Heretofore the practice at the CustOm-house
in exercising the political guilone has been for the In
spectors to 20 to anteroom in the Surveyors office
and to pay their political assessments to clerk and ele
graphic OPERATOR who were generally there for tho
special purpose Of receiving such payments. But the
Civil Service rules forbid such assessments and to
eyade the regulation organization Of Inspectors
has been instituted outside of the CusOmhouse under
the lead Of Mr.. Gillette, Aaron Mccall Thomas Bell
Abah Pel, and others. Their first meeting was held
for choice Of officers and preliminary business at the
Washington Hotel few evenings since. This is exclu
siyey Inspectors Association and takes the lead in
eyading Mr.. Curtis's Civil Service Regulations. That
the existence Of this Association is known to the
Collector Surveyor and Naval officer there is probably
no doubt the Treasurer Robert Uey and one Of the
Executive Committee Abah Pell, have been promoted
TO the steamship Oceanic OF the White Star Line which
pays to each Inspector 500 for one weeks services in
dischargng each steamer Of the line. This is in addition
to their salaries This organization has connection
with "The Inspectors Association Of the Port of New
York." instituted for the benefit Of the families of dead
members.
There are 27s Inspectors in the New-York Custom
house, every Of whom will undoubtedly be assessed
$40 according to Collector Arthur's new terms. Thirty
dollars each Is the most that was ever eNacted by any
previous Collector Tho Democratic Collectors, III their
day only required SIS OF each Inspector. The Admins
tratOn managers must have money. The amount TO
cOmeiOut OF the hard earnings OF the Inspectors j.
Sti2O There u another Association OF Entry, Amend
ent Warehouse, and other Clerks formed for the same
cvastve purpose Of collecting illegal assessments IL
holds IT'S meetings in the hall at Broadway and Twenty
third-st. these clerks receive salaries OF from
5000 10 s. 800 and will be assessed about $50 each
About two months ago there was landed from the
steamship Batavia of the Cunard line, from Liverpool
about twenty trunks containing dutaOe goods said TO
Belong to Boston editor In the temporary absence or
the Inspector specially assigned to the steamer, dis
trct officer Of customs said to be very IN
duential with Collector Arthur, procured a
:. declaration" Of tho owner OF the goods
The goods he acertancd had not been landed with the
other baggage but for reason had been allowed TO
remain on board the ship. Whom the baggage was put
on shore he placed his Official check upon it, for which
service there is authority for saying he received
five $40 gold pieces. The payment OF this bride
Vas snugcngI for If he had no dutiable
Goods I'M his trunks he had need to pay anything
How il happened that the district officer took advantage
of the Temporary absence OF the regular Inspector
whose duty il was 10 the trunks and secured
mis- priz, is problem which ought 10 be solved IL Is
believed that il the regular inspector had been at his
Dost OF duty the theft would have been less
be cold pieces mentioned above have exchanged hands
several times since the transaction, but are now IN the
uospssion the District Inspector As they were re-
feivrd from BOstOnan who was smuggling goods tney
are the Legitimate property OF the United States Inc
on" made by the owner OF the goods the BOs
ton editor on file in the Surveyors office, VIII undouDt
edly reveal his name.