New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-04-02
WASHINGTON.
THE CUSTOM-HOUSE

IhE CUSlOM-hOtS Sc
MORE POLITICAL wIRE-pULLING-voTEs PAID |
FOR BY OFFICIAL neutrality-suspicious. |
MADE But NEVER KEPT-How THE CUSTOM
HOUSE CARRIED SBE SIXTEENTH ASSEMBLY
DISTRICT.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBCNS.l
WASHINGTON, April 1.-Mr. Atkinson. IN 1870
President OF the XvIth Assembly District Republican
Association OF NewYork city. the only witness ex
smined by the Custom-ho Committee to-day. Mr.,
Atkinson had been summoned motion OF Senator
Howe, and, 10y the custom Of the Committee,
should have first been examined by him, no
he was sworn; however Mr. Pratt
said something about the minority going on
with the examination. Mr.. Bayard, who alone repre-
tented the minority waited time, expecting that
Mr.. Howe, who attentivey studying his hriet and
writing out his questions would proceed. Mr.. Howe
then asked him TO go on. and Mr.. Bayard remarked:
"of course if the Committee desires H. will examine
the witness but Mr. Howe moved that he be called,
l thought II usual for him to begin"
MI Atkinson then said that In the Summer OF 1910 he
captain of the watch, on night duty at the new
PostOice building in New-York City Murphy sent for
him TO call at the Custom-house, and said that he de
sired 20 OF the delegates who should he sent TO
the Saratoga Convention from the Sixteenth
District. Atkinson replied that he wished 10
harmony in the party, and that he would con-
suit with his friends regard the matter but that he
could not make any bargain OF that kind himself
Murphy said that he prepared 70 appoint four
name, and that he desired that Isaac II. Bailey should
be one of the delegates from the XVIII District
AT another interview, held within q day or two, in
the Collectors Office, in the Custom house, Atkinson gave
IA Murphy the names Of two persons whom he would
like Eavo appointed To positions in the Custom-house
rhey given The Offices. Murphy then de-
sired that he should have the privilege OF naming all the
delegates from the XVIII District, and mentioned
beside Bailey Gen. Lawrence then Pension
Agent in New.Y0rk, and Col. Howe Cmef
Of the Secret Service Bureau tie persons whom he
wished TO elect At this interview he said he was gong
10 Long that evening and that his return he
expected have in his pocket ordering the reap
continent Of Atkns0n's brother to position IN the
Brooklyn Navy-Yard, from which he had been suS
pended removed. Murphy at this time repeated the
promises he made Atkinson at their first interview III
regard TO the patronage the Custom house and said
that President Grant desired peace and harmony Ia
he party. and wished that the DELEGATES sent TO
Saratoga should he his friends Murphy also
remarked that MI. Greeley was tie Admins
Iration candidate for Governor Witness replied
That the delegation from the XVIII District would be
sure ohdy for Mr. Greeley and asked Murphy II
It was not his purpose 10 have Gen Arthur placed
upon the State Committee than +" Gle nomination
pfMr Greeley. Murphy said, what objection have
you TO Gen. Arthur Z" Atkinson replied u
have no objection, but I should prefer
other Murphy then of red TO appoint the witness
position in the CustOu-hOuse Weghcr Atkinson
tad that If Murphy would give him position without the
conditions he would be glad to accept it, tut that bis
association Lad already done as much tey le called
upon TO Ito for the sake OF peace.
Still another interview between them took place in
the Custom-house about that time, ana, stil
later Murphy sent a mutual friend TO Akinsons mouse
to the offers which he had previously mace III
Hrs Two T tt . IN the 3 fno%n as fecley ana anti
Greeley. Atkinsons name was upon the Greeley ticket
which was supported by ms friends he OTHER tick Vas
supported by the office holders Of the Association Abont
2 votes were cast Of which the Greeley ticket received
few less than 24O, and the antGrccicy 81 Witness
told that Postmaster Jones, Col. lowe, ana JOli D.
'B,ien were upon the street in iron, OF building
where the election held. electioneI1ne for the anti
Atkinson also testified that several persons holding
prc vious that election that Murphy had sent Tor
iheIn and asked support tine ant ley Ii ke
aud Wines knowing that lis nicuGs had oyewhc
lug majority OF the members OF the association adI sea
them 10 do rather than the risk Of losing their
places. Some % these persons We're soon aterwar re-
moved from office. and Atkinson believed that they
voted with him. and that those votes were the cause OF
their removal When they went into the Convention
those gentlemen whose names were on the ant-Gleeey
ticket, including Cen Lawrence Who got but
81 votes appeared a. ccntesng dele cation. The
Committee on Contested Seats OF which Naval Officer
Laim was chairman gave hihntes nearing TO each
delegation and then reported 10 the Convention IN favor
number OF politicians among tnei1 Gen Lawrence, went
10 Eurlbut, under whose direction Wltuess
ployed, and asked that he be removed. William
OrtOn also wrote letter 10 HurlDut saying that
Atkinson ought to be removed, he enemy to
YORK. When Atkinson heard Of this, he desired 10 re-
sign. but Hurburt refused 10 accept his resignation and
Supervising Architect Mullet wrote letter to one Of
AtkinSons friends, very complimentary or The latter
Shortly alter Atkinson wac removed, as lie understood,
Howe, who had prepared long list OF questions,
examined the witness apparently for the purpose Of
IN 1870 fraudulenty conducted and that witness
oOgniZant OF that fact. Atkinson appeared ayora0y
he answered all questions promptly gave 10 testimony
which at all modified the effect Of that which he had
Arthur he said thai he believed Gen Arthur TO be an
honet oiei and anxious 10 correct abuses IL the Gus