The New York herald., 1873-11-24
FEDERAL OFFICE AFFAIRS.

The War Feelings at the Custom HOUSE.
Indign ation Of the Veteran Soldiers
Employed Here at Our National Insult
Civil Service Mntters-Busincss Reviv-
fng-The Custom House Closed on
Thanksgiving Day.
The war feeling, so intense among the pOpula-
tion OF this country, has also penetrated the
granite walls OF the New York Custom House. In
this branch OF the government service hundreds
or brave veteran soldiers many of whom have
left limb on the field of battle, are
employed, and these men, who have braved the
leaden storm hundreds OF times In the defence OF
the starry nag, feel the insult offered our country
by the naughty Spaniards, in the capture OF the
Virginius, to o fearful extent. While these val
liant, battled-scarred heroes have suffered amaz-
ingy in health, they are nevertheless ready at any
moment again to respond to the buge call when
their trusty leaders sound the tocsn of war In be.
half OF our outraged banner.
Although the current business OF the customs
department is strictly attended to, every employe
finds time to discuss the affairs or the country, and
the majority are in favor OF the most stringent
measures being adopted by our government against
Spain without waiting for the slow process OF
diplomacy. Such, however, are only the express
sions OF "Hotspurs," whose valor, tried in many y
bloody action, away with their Judgment.
Yet the zeal demonstrated by these heroes does
credit to their patriotism and gives an as
surance OF the rapid gathering OF an efficient
army in case OF hostities being commenced.
REVIVAL OF COMMERCE.
During the past week business here has taken
quite an impetus The withdrawal OF goods has
been rather heavy, and the receipts in duties very
nearly as large as the corresponding period of last
year. The cause OF the activity Is supposed TO
arise from the near approach OF the holidays.
owing to the panic and the dearth of employ
fnF tnfln
with General Arthur, the Collector, are very
numerous. The petitions are duly died and as
surance given to the applicant that soon
AS any vacancy occurs he would be duly
notified TO appear for examination before the Civil
Service Commission. The Civil Service code Is
strictly adhered to, and the consequence has been
that the standard OF proficiency among the en-
poyes has been raised very materially since it went
few days ago Mr.. +. o. Graves, Chief Exam
lner rom washington, arrived in this city. aud,
candidaes among them seven ladies' n ior CLERK. So
ships of the first class for the various departments
IN u, the capital At The close OF THESE examna-
lions the above named gentlemen, in
company with Postmaster Thomas l.. James.
chairman OF the custom House Board OF Civil
Service Commissioners and Mr.. John Il LvdecKer,
special Deputy Collector, also OF this Commission
called on Mr. Dorman B. Eaton, chief OF the Civil
Service Commission for the United states. AZ this
interview the various rules and regulations
adopted were carefully examined, and various
other measures projected looking TO the perfec-
ton OF the civil service generally.
SEIZED GOODS.
A few days ago several thousand choice Havana
cigars we're seized by the officials under
Colonel Frank Il. Howe, Special Treasury
Agent, on board OF the steamship MORO Castle,
while that vessel detained at Quaran-
tine Tor the inspection OF the Health 0fficer. On
Saturday the smuggied goods were duly turned
over TO Collector Arthur and ordered into the
seizure ROOM Deputy Collector Dudley S. Phelps
OF the Seizure Division, has already filed libel
against the contraband merchandise.
Next Thursday being Thanksgiving day, and a
legal holiday, the Custom House will be closed and
no business whatsoever transacted. Vessels
which leave on that day VIII have to be cleared on
Wednesday, and those arriving must wait until
Friday morning to be properly entered.