The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-06
TIE CUSTOM HOUSE INQUIRY.
A New York Commission Merchant Before the
COMMUNICATING Open Packages-The
Dock Thieves-Ihe Invisible Polics-Gsn-
eral Babcock To Be Examined To-Day.

eral Babcock To Be Examined To-Day
WASHINGTON, March 5, 1872.
In the New York Custom House Committee this
morning letter was read from Collector Arthur In
response to complaint from E. B. Strange Co.,
saying that since 1864 duty OF sixty per cent had
been assessed on silk Grape. This firm paid the duty
under protest. and claimed they should not have
been required TO pay more than 1fty per cent. On
appeal 10 the Court they were sustained. yet the
Sixty per cent mad continued to be collected.
communication was received from The New
York Chamber OF Commerce embodying Its views
concerning the steamship lines.
Several letters were read, suggesting the sum-
monIng of Timothy G. Dwight and investigating
the seizures OF sugars. the owners having at law ob
tanned verdicts In their favor, but at great loss.
owing to the expense Of litigation. 1t was thought
proper to file the papers with the view OF looking
into the general subject.
SCHULTZ TEsTIFIEs.
The first witness sworn was @. W. H. Schultz, Of
New York, general commission merchant, who ties.
titled that, having met with some obstruction in
Custom House matters he was told thar in order to
carry on things smoothly he must see govern
ment officials; he did not, however, see
matters In that light; the packages con-
signed 10 his house OF gin, brandy, beer, &C.,
when delivered directly from the ships were in per-
feet order, but when indirectly there was sometimes
deficiency of from five to seventy.hve per cent.
He made complaint to Collector Murphy, who re.
ferred the matter to the Department Of Public
Stores, and the reply came that the goods were
delivered In the condition they were received, and
nobody was TO blame. On applying to the
tom tom House carman: me carman having
without giving receipt On one occasion Sturgis
and Smith called upon him. and said he had Inde-
lie Informed them that ne had accused no indi-
vldua; bur he certainly intended to put stop 10
perng his goods nce aat time every cry package
mentioned that before he became associated in
business with Mr.. Clark s25 900 OF that gentlemans
property had been seized and sold for 81, 900.
Commissioner Osborn and the District Attorney
or New York mad conversation with him on the
gave q clean receipt for Clark. The District
Attorney SAID the suit against Clark was instituted
on technical grounds. OSBORNE said to the wit
III these fellows put up job on you, let me
All went on smoothly until last Friday when Kas.
mire from the Office o! Collector OF Internal Rev
enue, came TO him and charged him with violation
said, obtained from Custom House officer The
firm were charge with breaking packages without
mentioning the fact on Their books. This proceed.
ing was based on an anonymous communication.
The charge was false, as shown 10 the officer.
Secretary boutwell, relative to the subject. Mr..
Boutwell, said that the Internal Revenue Bureau
constantly acted on anonymous communications, If
it were thought advisable; but no seizures were
made unless The charge was substantated. There
were In New York what are called dock thieves,
entered to 60 into bond. On speaking to Mr..
Wright, gauger, he said he had once attempted to
drive OH the thieves. but was Knocked down by
them and severely handled. Tens OF thousands OF
dollars are annually lost by the merchants to pro-
frauds, the relief can only be temporarily afforded
- UNTIL THERE is AN ENTIRE CHANGE
In the civil service so long as men OF one political
party over those OF another are appointed to Office,
irrespective. of claims to ability and honesty, SO
made for lie during good behavior and all persons
who attempt to bride or receive brides should be
frauds. The appointments are made Tor a limited
time only and men want TO make money before
Questionable you know any officers who have re-
ceived brides?
Answer-I do not; my information is not definite,
questionable you know any merchants who have
paid money to otlicers?
on the cross-examination the witness saAl cases
OF merchandise had been broken Open ana the
spaces filled with various substances. Secretary
Boutwell, on witness having made the complaint
above alluded to, referred HIM back to Mr. Tread.
WELL the Collector OF the Second district TO find out
all about the case.
The committee at noon took recess until one
O'Clock.
The committee did not reassemble until two
O'Clock, and then resumed the crosse Examination
by Pratt Of Schultz, VINO SAID the packages plum.
ers. Out OF one lot which went first under general
order and then into bonded store one of liquors
was
FOUND TO BE ENTIRELY EMPTY,
'and In another case there was only one bottle me
other twenty three having been distracted; the
Holland and France; they were all liable 10 be tam
pered with on the way; IL It was found by bill OF
lad thar Mo vvnr an In rgtora a
condition, and it should turn out otherwise. the
ship was required - pay the damages; the dock
thieves had robbed witness or
EIGHT GALLONS or DUTCH GIN
within fifteen minutes alter IL was landed, and
waie the man nan VINO nad neen wa wa, Ior tne
take 1t to the store; he had been told by the
owners OF 400 bales or wool that while 1t was on the
wharf the thieves came IN boats cut open the Daes
sent for to protect goods and drive thieves
away. He knew or case from his brother.
where 500 worth OF cutlery had been distracted
from the package; 1t was The uniform practice Tor
warehouse and so delivered he believed there was
community OF thieves engaged in the pundering;
MS opinion was that ms losses were over one hun.
tnat part OF witness letter to INN relative to dock
thcves the letter was written after the loss Of the
liquor; he could not account Tor the fact how
merchants In New York could submit 10 sucn
state OF things for so long time.
Mr.. Pratt asked how 1t was possible any man or
men could break open package or take one away
without being observed by the carman, the dock
clerk oil the vessel and other parties interested.
Answer-It was possbe In New York, not per-
haps anywhere else; man attempted to steal
cask OF brandy from nv store in open daylight.
Questionable he succeed?
Answer-No, knocked hin down.
On being cross-cxamlned bv Mr.. Bayard the wit
ness said the only packages plundered were those
lnvO .ced Tor appralscment He could not get an
answer as TO who was responsible lOr The safety Of
goods on wharves. Witness knew OF al kinds or
merchandise having been detained q month for
appraisemen The reason given for 1t was pressure
OF business or limited number OF men. He was fur.
nor Y a Howe. n.
The Committee adjourned 10 meet at one o'clock
tomorrow, when General Babcock Will be ex.
amined.
CuYNCu