New-York tribune., 1872-04-25
CUSTOMHOUSE CORRUPTION.

THE PORTIONS OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
REPORT THAT WERE NOT ADOPTED.
The following passages in the report OF the
Chamber OF Commerce Committee, a. Originally pre-
pared we're struck out by majority vote OF the Con-
mttee before the report presented 10 the Chamoe
At the meeting Tuesday +. A. Conkling, Chairman OF
the Committee moved TO restore, in the form OF an
amendment the chief portion Of what was thus re)eced
but the motion lost by decided majority. Inc ioi
lowing constituted Mr.. COnkIngs amendment:
The Committee that many of the irrc gulari,
ties difficulties and instances OF b in TeTyorE
arise from the fact that the matter il complicated ana 20
degree corrupted bv its connection with the political
stem OF the country rs at present affected by the mode
OF administering the Executive patronage IAe Coin-
addressed Themselves to this subject merely
r 1aIrs i'm behaf OF themselves and the merchants ~
rho country IL be expected Of them tlat eller
in the nresence of the public AZ large or o the members
~ ~ tho ede-al Government who have invited their
opratOn in the premises. that they should discuss uof
rave evils OF the system which, while touch the suleet
all parts Of the Republic have aecumulaed dctfient 70
the public service and reproach TO republican lhsu-
me Legislature at Washington and the thinking pub
ITO re-brre are conscious Of the nature OF these evils,
have watched their growth and competent as any
whom this Committee represent 70 devise anu app! ie
remedy There are gratifying indications that he pun
lie sentiment is rpening 10 the point OF effective actun
IN respect TO the degree in which the tedera GOVerh-
ment has wrested from he intent o ts otyalLl-
tion THE nlan intention of the Constitution Is mat the
GovprrneI shall he practically controlled Dy congress
as reprcseutatives OF the people ot the stacs IL mas
cone t. ,a-s nevertheless that the chief control las
bcen rted 10 the Executive branch Of the Govern
ment through their past practlces tne auheren's "i
the dom uant party which has all its support from te
people large, draw their private supportt IIp III ~ W
public Treasury II Is known 10 me ,HAnoer IoM L."
mis- distortion OF the body polite Affects the admlnsr'
ton Of affairs in the Custom houses OF me counry an
especially in New-YOrk. The committee huNeNer, ,iu
not deem becoming 20 notice te cohsluerallon
reach tna subject winch mas oeth rrieIi,e e o .i, m
They may be permitted however 20 note ulc vi vi
tho general evil that 70 their notice Dv virtue
M residence IN New York City and general acquaut-
c SevYor Custom house patronage II IS called.
has come understood IN the progress o our politics
As a reward and prev or the t-uhphlht paIty III l'
conntrv at large Upon that Customhouse conspicuous
politicians known 10 quarer ther auneTshT' OF
those 70 whom they are hGen lol . ;, ~, ' t va
10 whom they look for aid in The struggle or hgh honO
Many who might by continuous ,hdsiI colnS 90
aDe standing the localities where thy rSi'e coulecs
Themselves with politics. ana are led 20 mlcNe INA, u
they attain position III the NeW-1 OH
they are the way 10 competence anu l poH.a ~ ~ Coi-
sideration. They hear OF salaries OF rom SI"V 20
5000 per annum, ami persuade theRsei'es 'ne thJ M
means OF easy lie Will ne dNsuicH - ~. u"o aI.I
of senator's and Representatives IA Congress- tAey NAV
receive appointment IN the Cusohl-hVuse III Ne"
York. How deusive TINS aIclpa'Iol - tlo seIu'i i
shows on taking up their residence n the cy the cost
oT living rs found far than they expected ana II
s soon apparent that their monthly pay rs lsineIe MI 20
meet the inevitable expense Of metropolitan lie Ihey
become noted habtaI DorrOWeis anu Iehug ~ ~
brbcs. smaller OF greater ron ulo~e NHunl ny l,4I
noston hev able 70 aid IN the course OF the puhhc
business. Thus. ne VINO l. willing 10 iactaie is way
through the Custon-house DY rfrEu.r dlu W -,
ale fts and douccurs has not long 70 seek to ana those
VINO willing 10 receive them. Brloeiy aecorqlnRi ~
dlsphtcn IN tle AAIs ol Ho7e ~ =
a. lud the honorable and upright ntIchaut mus MS
in
venal prc The NUMBER uI thos' "lo dIO Wiz
ing TO obtain favOrs over more .cInpulous rlVas
sufficient affect the atmosphere OF me Customnouss
ana the whole service DecoIlcH ohc !Ist > sI w
or,anzed corruption. II IS not y the party now y
noVer that while depOrIng these evils, we would heap
the sole responsbHty ol t-rIr oIl-ll anu le.
II was long before the as trec terms ot Adnnisr rin
Of the Federu DoNe.ulci. nj, ia. "a, g., ,str,aon -
nr0periy used 10 Ifect lie politics - tlecoHu'r -
thar Il made almshouse for the refuge anu r-
nor. nf the favores or the powerful members Of The
party dominant 40 Washington. Whether these eV.s
have become greater, more notorious, moro scahdaes
during the present Administrator H l- no paI1 oi lue
Committees duty tO indicate An opinion II s quite
worthy OF consideration whether the accession 10 once
of the rival party strugGng ior uetaL Iol
wnat alleged Of s practices when iorncrly IN sway az
the Capital from what has been seen aitery Oi the
cnndurt OF s officials in places OF local trust would
bring 10 the Cstun-hOuse ia New-Hork or 10 any ontr
department Oi he puDAc service puier mor's 'han 10"
Bat let whatever party in power. the truth is evi
dent that there Will DE substantial reform IN the Gus
torn-nOu.e unless tie employment OF each and every
person there upon the same basis as the employ
ncnt OF assistants ana subornaies ID merchants count
ug rooms for example. or any other service "here IN
tegrity aud efficiency requisite. That s 70 saw mat
exactly he II known or found 10 he on the one hand
honest faithful ana capable; or on iIc otAer A4n As
essentials
The report as adopted closed with the following sen
tence:
The rules Of Of procedure in Custom house affairs
will thus have been removed. from the indstlnci At
uosuherr of construction bv tcluporarT and changing
officials, into TIE clear .-At aud dignity OF aw
IN the original report tLs was followed BY the sub
Joined sentences
So will they be made satisfactory 10 a people who ny
tradition and instinct. 10 government ID any
part by the uncertain dcta Of men for brief
Terms III poWer-a people VINO, though Ia The presence Vr
events and tendeuCesTh4cn latter times have mar
red our polucsOut which seen 10 be abnormal dBd
transitOry-have meantime ii no degree put Oh their
faith and determination that the Republic is continue,
as IL was designed by It's founders - DE administered n
pursuance Of the Constitution and laws framed under IT,
before which all stand equal and place is found
whereon those h Office, their adherents relatives,
Gel grufr ma W.
the eXpmse and against the wishes OF the peo-
pie al Large.