The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-15
THE CUSTOM HOUSE INQUIRY.
Hard Statements Of Schultz and Kasmire-Ex-
animation Of Naval officer Lafin-Errors in
Estimating Duties-InformerS Mole
tiss-Sl8, 900 q Year-The
State Convention.
WASHINGTON, March II, 1872.
LYING SOMEWHERE.

LYING SOMEWHERE
The New York Custom House Committee met this
morning, when letter was read from g. w. q.
Schultz, reaflirming his testimony that Kasmlre
said he came to his store to- examine his books on
account Of Information derived from Custom
House officer, &c. other letters were laid before
the Committee, including one from Treadwel to the
effect that Kasmire was ready to say that Schultz
was wrong In every particular.
| The Committee decided that Messrs. Kasmire ana
| Van Roalte should communicate to the Committee
by af1idavit on that subject
A. Il. LAFLTN
Naval Onlcer, New YORK, testified as to his duties
saying that he has under him sixty-nine clerks and
three messengers. He was not aware any OF them
had received pay except under the provisions Of
law.
| On cross examination by Senator Casserly no
further explained the connection OF his once with
that OF the collector aud the specific duties per.
| formed. he testified that some time ago nc gave
directions to Colonel Burl to keep, for his anins)
satisfaction record OF the discovered In the
papers from the Custom House which passed
through his ONCE.
ERRORS IN ESTIMATING DUTIES
Such errors might occur In the estimating OF
duties on certain styles OF goods. Some OF these
errors were In favor OF and Others against the gov
ernment amounting IN the aggregate 10 81, 0000 900
WITHIN the period OF e'gnt months. The errors
against the government amounted to three or four
nation Of papers In the Entry ana Liquidation di.
vision. The mistakes arise more from ar,thmetcal
Naval Ofcer exercised cheek and supervisory cou.
troll over the Collection department.
The committee then took recess from twelve to
ON reassembling Mr.. Casserly resumed the cross.
informed there had been e corrections in other
divisions.
tons and did not know what took place in the Col.
lectors office as to the correction OF errors. When
responding clerk would call the attention Of the the corr
responding clerk in the Collectors Oce to fact
This was done verbally. witness mad represented
THERE HAD BEEN cARELEssNEss.
lie repeated that he was not aware that any Of
out OF offiCc hours. Clerks were not compelled to
take work home with them and he would not
themselves to regular hours.
On being cross examined BY Senator BAYARD he
said he received as moiety one.twelfth Of the
amounts collected for violations OF the revenue
laws.
clerks appointed by the Secretary OF the Treas
ury on the recommendation or the Naval Offcer.
work ou. Of office hours inan the motive to keep up
the business ut their desks.
Senator BAYARD asked witness whether patronage
had been used as an instrument for
when he replied it had not in his once. He
not to that Of 1871. He attended the lat.
ter, but did not noace a larger NUMBER OF
Years. TSey were not there to- to an Unusual Unusual
lMr. Sconeld) as ridiculous" he regarded 1t as
the most important feature In the bali. The same
number, though he did not make numerical
count; NO man from his offlce went to the COnven-
tion at his suggestion or approval; 1t did not occur
to him that single one was there; TOR himself he
went there to take part he was also at Albany on
there was In connection with that subject; ne had
no knowledge that patronage OF the Custom House
re CHANGES sng a Cacs
ONCE since ne took charge OF IL, either by
T %sn ON, Or Of. removal removal the principal
he appointed two or three weeks ago,
are the same as they were then; he was willing his
appointments should be scrutnized according to
Inc strict rule OF civil service reform; the men
repubicanism.
,y On representation oy Senator HOWE he said
Wneh u. ,he State Convention OF 1870 he supported
| HORACE GREELEY FOR GOVERNOR;
sns 10" ~S nc ne anew the Custom House Oicers then
tne,e uiu .ne same; ne had neither made nor prom.
lseu 10 mane any appointments as a reward for
political service rendered at the last State Con-
veniOn ne removed three OF his clerks for vioation
OF law anu Ttness because their habtS were bad
other gentlemen Of the committee interropafed
| the witness.
| In reply 70 question by Senator Howe ne said
Senator COnklinR had never intimated desire shat
| ne should remove or appoint q single person TO
| ONCE In his department..
Senator CAssERLY referred to the fact that Mr.
Lanln had testified ne nad In his ONCE as deputy
ernor Fenton. Did the witness mean to say that
Burt was now
The witness responded In the Affirmative He was
further asked II there others IN his Office Of
the same political preference Not having cam
vassed the matter no could not speak positively In
answer to the question whether there were not
divisions in the republican party, witness replied
that the members oil that party we're not always
agreed In political attachments and In response TO
J an interrogatory as 10 whether there was nots