The New York herald., 1873-08-15
A Million Dollar Case of Under
Valuation.
The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury,
Collector Arthur, Surveyor Sharpe, Ma
val Officer Latin and Chief Clerk
Vanderbilt in Close Confer
ence for Three Hours.
Will the BOmbshell Explode or Will There
Be a Secret Compromise

Yesterday was "Black Friday" In the annals OF
the New York Custom House. That stately and
imposing building was swarming from the hour
when business commenced in the morning till dusk
with hai-craZed inspectors and other outside off,
cials OF the Custom House, who were led to visit
headquarters by the rumor that an investigation
was pending before Assistant Secretary Ofthe Treas
ury Frederick A. Sawyer formerly United States
senator from South Carolina), Collector g. A.
Arthur Surveyor Of the Port; George Sharpe, Naval
Officer Latin and Chief Appointment Clerk Of the
Treasury Vanderbilt in regard to some huge
Frauds alleged to have been committed by various
Custom House officials, numbering in all from
seventy to ninety persons.
REIGN OF TERROR.
1t is impossible to describe the paralysis OF terror
depicted in the faces OF the swarms of Office
holders who thronged the Corridors passages and
anterOOms Of the big building attendant on this
rum0r of probable decapitatiOn and criminal expos
ures. A reporter was as carefully avoided by these
gentlemen, most OF whom have dyed mustaches, as
II he were disniecting agent Every fresh official
arrival gave rise to portentous conjecture, and the
presence OF the Assistant Secretary OF the
Treasury, Mr.. Sawyer, was regarded as an evi-
dence OF impending doom. 1t was also observable
that each inspector in private conversation was
his own shoulders to some other unlucky Ofncial.
AN "HoNEsT' INSPECTOR SPEAKS.
II tell you," said one offical who Is known to
keep two fast horses on 81 day this legal
pay, cit all comes OF Brainerd Howell the Deputy
Surveyor, removing that man Guthrie when he
came into office. Guthrie gave 1t away, sure pop
And there again is Jayne, the Special Agent or the
Treasury or detective, or whatever you may call
him. He's worth half million, and he's got so much
power that no one can resist him, and all Jayne's
got to do is to report a man and he goes up
in q balloon. Well, if he gives some of
the boys away he'll be chucked overheard
some night, and therein be cOroner's inquest Tor
Guthrie. Them Is my sentiments. There is q
great scare among the boys to-day, anyhow l
never saw such day in the Custom House, and
I've been ten years here; because, you see, no one
knows but his name is down on the black list, and
they can give man the sack first and put him in
prison for taking bribe. Why every man makes
a dollar when he can, and the richest merchants In
this city are the worst. They are to be blamed
most for they never hesitate to offer money for
anything that the boys can do for them on the
smouch or sneak. Mind, DON'T know
whether there is anything In this rumor or
not but there is always some case or another
coming up on bounce. There is all kinds OF cases
and Investigations, such as Leet Il Stocking,
Phelps, Dodge & Co.; Duden, Freres Il Co. /; the
Italian Sponge Company; William j. Pollock Co.,
the wine importers, and now we have the cases of
John r. Platt, oil IS Murray street, importers OF
boiling cloths, and Edward A. Boyd, importer OF
glassware, for $l,OOOOOO In gold for under-valu-
atlOn Of goods. All this last trouble has come
out OF the Platt and Boyd cases. and there Is no
knowing where 1t will end If the United States Dis
trct Attorney has the desire to do his duty. The
inspectors, OF course, will take $50 bill and
pass goods, and some appraiser will take $500
for undertaking. big invoice, and that's the way
the thing is showed through Some of the inspectors
have got three or four brown stone houses
piece; others have got quart Of diamonds I know
fellow supports three wives, and another that's
got five or six fast horses-mnd, that's not me-
I've only got two, and my mother left me the
money, although there are fellows here mean
enough to tell you that stole 1t from Uncle Sam;
but don't you believe it, for am one of the George
washington fellows with little hatchet, ana
wouldn't tell lie to save my soul.n
LOOKING FOR WHEAT AMONG THE cHAFP.
Now, this statement from an inspector, who
begged that his name might not be printed was all
well enough In its way, but 1t was necessary to
make rigid inquiry OF the authorities at the Gus
tom House as to the basis OF the rlmors set anoat
terday's edition OF the HERALD, among the Court
proceedings, had given rise to many conjectures
A common lawsuit has been Instituted in the United
Pat and Edward BOYD 10 recover in soId
lor alleged undervaluaion in the importation goods
Of 10y .ecion act q 1863 suits have We also
::sSs, s .s$ e. s:
aina Of the declaration BY the District Attorney and
thirty days from the time must eapse before that
document Is placed In Court
had been seized some time since by the United
states authorities that entries were found on ex-
animation by Special Agent Jayne Of sums paid as
bribes TO various high officials and numei GUS In
spectOrs and appraisers to pay for undervauaton
OF goods and Tor allowing them to be passed from
acts the revenue had been defrauded for amounts
estimated at nearly eleven hundred thousand dol
lars.
IN THE COLLECTORS OFFICE.
Areporter OF the HERALD called at early hour
at the office OF General Arthur, ana the first per-
son he met was ''Peter,n a good-natured mulatto,
who guards the door OF the highest federal official
In this city.
REPoRrEEmI wish to see Collector Arthur, If pos
PErER with a good -natured smile) well, I don't
know, SIR think II will be extremely diricult to
see General Arthur now. He Is very busy,
and has been closeted with Mr.. Lanin, the Naval
Oficer; General Sharpe, the Surveyor Of the Port;
the Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury MI Fred
erick A. Sawyer, and Mr.. Vanderbilt, the Chief Ap-
O'Clock tt was then hiteen mrutes alter ono
eclock) on very important buuAesa The doors
are closed and the Collector VIII see no one. Hut
you might see Mr.. LydeckeI, the Special Deputy
Collector, Who u In the other of1ce.
The ISpsseer entered . 4yryee5h apartment fur1