The New York herald., 1873-08-15

n styIs Of regal spsndOr ;Suspsssng the
large SloS am chairs. branded in gold on leather
OF Cordova ,yfS the letters "U. So were scattered
around, and thcfS found tall, vel, built gentle
Mr.. Lydecker, the Deputy Collector.
After dismissing s0ns CT his clients he politely
accosted the reporter and desired to know what
REPoRrER-I came to make inquiries as to the
truth OF report that an investigation Is now
Secretary OF the Treasury Sawyer, IN regard 10
alleged frauds and corruption, IN which 1t Ia said
Gated.
Mr.. LyDEckER-There is no truth in the story.
Collector Arthur came up from Long Branch this
told me that he would deny 1t iatly.
:, REPoRTER-But, Mr.. Lydecker, understand that
Mr.. SAWYER had been telegraphed for specially
from Washington for this purpose, and that he is
mere now to make rigid investigation into the
matter.
Mr.. LYDECKER-It is true that Mr.. SAWYER is
mere, but 1t is on entirely different business or
course there are always investigations going on
against frauds committed by importers and mer-
chants; but there is nothing special in this visit.
REPoRTER-Have you list OF persons in the en-
ploy OF the Custom House WHO are crimlnally ac-
cused OF taking bribes from Importers
Mr.: LYDEckER standing up and moving about
the kind. THIS is ali mere ramor and nothing ~
more. II you wish to see General Arthur he Will
be disengaged about half-past two O'CLOCK think.
AMONG THE CULPRITS.
The reporter then left the office and walked out
into the stone corridor, and at this moment the
excitement was intense among the ornclals who
groups to the number altogether OF fifty or sixty.
Whispering and gesticulating In hali-irantc
would subside as II struck by lightning. Muttered
eXclamatOns of dissatisfaction suspense and
anger passed their lips, and occasionally Joke
would be ventured on. Every new conner was
taunted with such questions as -
"rhey say you got some sponges, Billy? HOw's
that y"
''Did you get any glass, Jmr,
81 hear you are going into the linen trade,
"They do say that sawyer is going to bounce a
hundred hun or 50; WI What WIN the bows do at pier ~
little twentydollar bills in yellow envelopes dropped
into side pockets"
that all Of these welldressed individuals knew
more than they would ike to be compelled to tell.
''TIAT INsCRUTABLE MR.. JAYNE"
There was one door with q white front leading in
to the granite wall Of the Custom House, little to
the eastward OF the private office OF General
Arthur which was locked fast Two things were
observable about this door. First, that it was
closely locked, and when person came to 1t and
side came and unlocked 1t. The other thing no.
ticeabe was tnat when any OF the conspirators
passed this door door they would do It quickly
the hole in the wall to see II they
could observe anybody. on inquiry 1t was discov:
the Treasury Jayne. 1t is his duty to discover and
investigate all fraud and corruption which may
occur III TIE custom house, ana IL lS Salu tnat he
is kept busy all the time. The HERALD reporter
made up his mind that he would pay visit to Mr..
Jayne. A knock at the door and key was heard
'.Was Mr.. Jayne in ~ "What is your business ?"
$50 ana So" "I'll see II he can see yOu,n were
the questions and replies that followed each other
quickly.
A lame gentleman, with large brown beard.
came out from an inner office, which was opened
by key from the outside, anu was introduced as
Mr. Jayne.
"Can you tell me. Mr. Jayne, II there is an inves-
tigati0n going on duplicating Custom House en-
plOyes !" was the first question put
"Nothing OF the kind, Iassure you, SIR"
"Why, then, has the Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury come on so suddenly to this city, and
lector ?"
"But did he not come from Philadelphia in
obedience to a special despatch from MIR. Richard
son, at Washington, last nightYn
SWELL" said Mr. Jayne, .he has been at Boston
night specially and got a large parcel OF letters
and papers from the Postmaster and took them to
Phladeiphia mail had been delayed"
"rnat looked urgent did 1t not Mr.. JayneW
'Uh, well, there are always Investigations going
| on In the Treasury Department, OF course, you
know. guess that Mr.. Sawyer came on to make
prov sion Tor storage, as the building for APP
and 1t is necessary that Mr.. sawyer should come
| here and attend to the matter at once You see
the a YOU nos Hnow Mr. ayue &
rious that Mr.: Sawyer is now holding an investlga-
.weIl, you see" said Mr.. Jayne, innocently, ''the
building burned from the top"
"But, Mr. Jayne, do you know anything OF the in
vestgationI, would ike to get some particulars
'It was most peculiar fre,n said Mr.. Jayne.
keeping right on and Obvious xn OF everything else
flames came down from the top"
AT this juncture the HERALD reporter left Mr..
jayne who was smiling sweetly at his story or the
fire, and going out IN the corridor, he had pointed
out to him five persons whose names were given
as being marked on the 'black list" of the mystic.
rious Jayne for corruption and bribery. The
HERALD does not give the names OF these five
men-two OF whom hold high positions in the Gus
tom HOuse-unti the matter Is thoroughly prObed,
as they are only five persons out OF ninety accused.
WITH GENERAL ARTHUR.
The next visit was paid to the Collectors office.
1t was evident that the conference was over, Ior
General Arthur was sitting In the public room at
large desk and a gentleman with mechanical
voice was reading to him the sections and clauses
OF some revenue act, and General Arthur
signed, the papers as the other read or
is as courteous a gentleman as ever filed
the office, politely welcomed the writer
and stated tnat he had received no instructions
whatever from Washington, had issued no instruc.
tons himself and that Assistant Secretary Sawyer
had brought or received no instructions TO his
(Arthur's) knowledge Ill regard to the reported
Custom House frauds.
''cnoPs AND TOMATO SAUCE"
1T Is easy enous e csns as IN @ the case OF Barde VS.
the allegation OF cnops and tomato sauce proves
nothing. RumOrs are started reckessly, but do
not know of any thing In this case or runlOr and
can tell you nothing more, sir" said General
Arthur politely, and with bow.
Mr.. sawyer had been in the room a moment
be fore and 1t was now discovered that he had dis
appeared mysterousy. Peter said he had gone
into small room to look at the fire engines dash
ing down william street TO a fire, and Peter did
not know whether Mr.. Sawyer could be seen or
not. Where there is good deal OF smoke there
ment was unusual in the Custom House
the HERALD reporter sent In written
communication to Mr.. Sawyer asking him II he
were not investigating charges against large
number or inspectors and Custom House officials,
and number Of these names were not in his pos
session, taken from the books OF John II. Platt and
Edward A. Boyd, In which various sums had been
paid as bribes by three firms to Custom House
employees.
''NR. SAWYER SPEAKS"
After waiting some moments during which Mr..
Sawyer admired the fire engines Immensely, the
Assistant secretary OF the Treasury OF the United
States, In reply 10 the communication brought him
place. with one Of the 500 chairs beside him, spoke