New-York tribune., 1872-02-15

1ec-or n, +be Port 10 a confidential position
that made him acquainted with much Of the business
and all Of tho political affairs OF that Official. When
Thomas Murphy was appointed Collector Of the Port,
Terwilger was Immediately installed in the Collector
private Office Private Secretary and Special Deputy
Collector with 20 making his past experience
full to the Administration in the approaching political
campaign. Murphy, who, far official du-
ties were concerned nOnentity In che office had
sufficient to leave everything that required any
exercise OF brains to his coupselor and any success
that attended the Cusomh0use political knayery may
be attributed 10 Mr. Terwligers manipulation oi men
who were unfortunate to he entanged in his snaes
Terwiigers long residence in the OF the State
his connection with The Syracuse Journal and the active
interest he had taken in politics, had made him so
thoroughly acquainted with politicians that he was re-
carded as invaluable to the Customhouse AS veteran
politician remarked "Tcrwiiger knew men could be
reached"
To the Republican party al large however, Terwliger
had shown but little consideration, he invariably
charged for services rendered He always insisted that
his expenses should be paid, and that he should re-
ceive a handsome salary.
TerwiIligers countenance, his stold bearing, and
evasive and noncommttal manner when dealing with
people, procured for him the s0EG14Net OF the spAnA
of the Custom house."
Upon the formation Of the present Legislature, Ter
vlhcer was elected Clerk Of the Senate but has been
asserted that when he accepted that office he did not re
sign his position in the Custom-house.
The news Of his resignation received yesterday in
the city with varying emotions Among those who loved
tru and honesty there a universal expression Of
satisfaction, which, however, was mingled with indigna-
ton at his being permitted to resign. nearly all believing
that the investigation should continue, and that he
should be made to bear the consequences of his wrong
doing even if he should be sent to State Prison.
Intelligent business men secuted the idea that the
large sums which he had received should be considered
Legitimate perqise Of any officer, or for any serv-
ices he could render state Terwi gers ominous
silence with regard to the bills which had been raised
from sl156 and from 1888 Al TO sssS A. was gen
orally regarded confession of guilt for which he
should arraigned before the criminal courts together
with his companion in crime, the Hon. d. p Wood.
All applauded the independent course of THE TRIBUNE
I'm revealing the fostering corruption that threatened TO
destroy the usefulness Of the Reformer and utter
the wish that might continue In the good work
until there should remain relic OF the corruption
that had degraded the State.
Earnest Republicans advocated riGd investigation
until every one who lad been accused. whether Dem
cratic Republican, should have vndicated his in
tegry been proved feon and consigned TO prison.
They urged that Terwgers resignation should not be
accepted They hoped aud insisted that there should be
no cessation in the Investigation of Senator Woods
connection with the printing frauds. The life Of the
party was centered in its purity and political eeches
were allowed TO fasten upon it, they would soon drain
OF all that had elevated and ennObled it.
In the Custom-house, the of Terwiger's resig-
nation produced consternaton, for it felt 10 be "A
deadly thrust ut the ocia there The clerks collected
in knots and discussed the matter with much
nestness as their positions would allow.
At the Fifth Avenue Hotel where the Federal office
holders are wont gather few could be observed last
evening probably they did not care to discuss the
cause of which their proeGe at Albany had
encountered The era OF Reform does not he ac
ceptabe TO them as many do not know how soon they
NAY be called upon to for their transSressons.