New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-10-05
CIVIL SERVICE STUDIES.
NEPoTIsM ON A, SMALL SCALE.

When President Grant set the example OF
appointing all hs relatives to Office irrespective of their
qualifications and allowed his parents and sisters TO Sc
iect places their friends It natural to expect
that humber but avarcous and reckless imi-
taOrs would spring In department OF the ser
vice. Among other public offices thus demoralzed Is
that Of the Appraisers Department OF this city, Wm
A. Darling assumed the office OF Appraiser Of the Port
OF NewIOrk April IL 1871. To make room for him,
Gen. George W. Palmer summariy elected from the
Office in violation OF personal assurances from
Gen. Grant that he should not be removed,
and in spite Of the fact that on the very
day of his ejoctment Gen. Palmer held an inter
view with Secretary Boutwell, and perfected
rans tending TO the increased efficiency Of the Depart
nent and received from the Secretary Of the Treasury
Of perfect satisfaction and approval OF his
conduct of the Department. Mr.. Darling was proteGe
OF Thomas Murphy and had TO be provided for and was
appointed to the position The law regulating the APP
pointment Of Appraiser expressly states as qualifca
tons for that Office that the app0intee shall have
served either as Appraiser or have had practical
business experience in of the chief articles
OF importation. Mr.. Darlng's previous experience
had been confined 20 the Presidency Of the Thrdave
Savings Bank and Of the Thirdave. Railroad Company,
and he was clearly ineligible to the office of Appraiser
The position has described by Mr. Boutwell, as tho
key Of the revenue and Of experience and integ1
IT, as well as conCtant in their duty necessary
to the proper fulfllmont Of its requirements.
When Mr.. Darling took possession OF the Office no re-
marked in the presence of witnesses, amt agong to
give my blood brains any Government for 5000
year" Since his occupancy Of the position Of Appraiser
his neglect OF his duties and ncompetency have
become matters Of scandal in the department. He
rves his Office before u o'clock and invariably
leaves about g. The law prescribes the hour OF at
tendance az from TO Since he has been in Office Is
months he has taken vacations, extending over
greater space of time than all Of bis other predecessors
combined from 1866 TO 1871.
On the proclamation OF Civil Service Reform by
President Grant in January, 1872, Mr.. Darling de-
nounced the idea OF accepting men on the score
of competency; pronounced the scheme Of Mr..
Curtis "humbug" snd said publicly that if he
should DO compelled TO carry it out no would
six his Board OF Examiners that they wOud put
through such candidates as he might name" The law
authorizes the heads departments three per-
as Examiners Mr.. Darling appointed three Of his
Assistant Appraisers such BOard-men who were
dependent upon him for their of office, and who
salaries for their services Assistant Appraisers
to the of the 5000 per each The Board
apI Oined two months ago, has been in session,
therefore only few weeks, and it remains TO be seen
what 1t Ni by way OF obeying the dication Of lbs
master ~. Darling has expended most Of his time In
roaovus good men, frequently against the protesatons
OF those in charge of the various departments and re-
placing them by politicians whose only qualifications
their subseryency tools in advancing the poiti
cal games VI Himself and Thomas Murphy He has ap
pointed In his own department, caused to DO APP
pointed in other Offices, the following persons:
1-wn l. 1G Bsaffso. Appraiser so,a 200
u-sAMUEL A. DARLING brother. Beyenue Ser
IH-wM. DARLSG son, superintendent of Store
Iv-CTHs DSRITSS' cousin, Naval Once, 200
N'-BsNJ. W. DARLING, cousin letter carrier o,o
vI-DASIEL W LEE, brother-in-iaw, Damage Ex-
aminer Appraisers Office. Lee atfrst
assigned 10 class OF goods for which lie
incompetent
another division became necessary ........ 2,50Q
vII.-W. HARRISON, nephew. clerk Foreign De-
parment POst-Ofhce. ....-.........----..-.. so
vIII.-THoMAs W. GIBSON, sons father-inIiw, As 49,,
sistant Appraised ....-.-.-.-....-...--.-.- 3'UO
Total eight members Of Darling family. $40 GAO
There are several other members OF this Darling
Ring" vlo are supported at Government expense in
various Offices and the list may be continued as follows;
IX.-BYRoN LAFLTS. brother Of Naval Officer A.
H. Latin, carpetbagger from North Caro-
lima, Examiner. He has proved t lncolnpe-
pied, aud the present position is sine 49,,
x-wSTFFnIx bffothcf.in.aw Of E. D. Morgan
Examiner Appraisers Department in
place Of John NJ. SlZer, a soldier who
fought through the war, removed against
the remOnstrances Of those in charge OF ~
xI.-GIBBs irothef,in.law of Thomas Murphy,
Ixamintr Appraisers Department. He
does 10 work. and goes aud comes at viii.
Has been engaged during the campaign
only on political inbbety. 1900
Total II members OF /" Darling Ring ..-.--.S%O,OAO
On July p, 1871, package was received in the APP
praisor's Office, by foreign express, marked " w +
Co. Cl y. Y" The package was opened and found 10
contain three parcels; one being small amount 0i
china valued at SIS; another a small package Of
clothing addressed TO A. beeDe anu ING 'Hiu P"0A"a~
was marked;
lion. Thomas Murphy Collector, for Miss Nellie
Grant. Private"
The CHINA and clothing appraised and transferred
for duty OF tbs package addressed to Mr.. Murphy for
Miss Grant the following disposition made 1t
A gnutpa ~ f,f lfs
Treasury regulations such provided, from the
custody OF the proper division, with tAe remark:
'Iu take it over to Murphy, and ask him what he
wants to do with IT,"
The package was never returned to the Appraisers
cfice, and consequently no duty was PAID on it, But
Mr. Darling subsequently stated, IN response
to official inquiries, that he had delivered
the package to Murphy. who said that lit
contained watch and that he NIurphy) knew all abOut
it. as had had correspondence on the subject.
Daring said: "very well If you want It appraised,
send it over" The Collector according 10 law had no
alternative but 10 have it appraised.
An entry made the books of the Office that the
uackace had been delivered TO the Collector and Mr.
Murphy assumed. therefore, the responsibility Of the
transaction.
CUsTOM-HOUsE POLITICAL ASSESSMENT.
THE USUAL TWO PER CENT COLLECTED BY FORCE
-RECEIPTs TAKEN FROM THOSE UNABLE TO
Pay AND HELD AGAINST THEM - FULLY
$4,000 DEDUCTED FROM THE SEPTEMBER
PAY-ROLLs.
On Oct 2, The TRIBUNE received from an
anonymous source intimation that the usual annual
political assessment had been levied the day before in
the Custom house; and it was added that President
Grant was certainly cOgnizant Of this assessment and
approved Of it, The proof of the latter assertion has
not been secured, but TRIBUNE reporters have aseef-
taired from sources which leave chance for doubt
that the employees Of the Customhouse have been regu-
lary assessed two per upon the amount OF