New-York tribune., 1874-02-20
THE REMOVAL or JUDGE HOGEBoOM

| CALI. on THE IMPORTERS FOR SPEEDY PROTEST.
THE MOIErY-HUNTERs JUDGE HOGEBooM's ENE-
| MTEs-A DEMAND THAT COMMITTEE BE AP
| POINTED TO VISIT WASHINGTON AND LAY THE
FACTS BEFORE THE SENATE
| TO the Bdttor Of The Tribune.
SIR The removal of Judge Hogeboom. and the
nomination of Gen. Hillyer to the Office of General
Appraiser of the Port of New-York. events of
vital Importance to the commerce of this city. If
our importing merchants do not immediately take
measures to lay The facts before the Senate and ask
that body to delay Gen. Eillyer's confirmation until
il is positively ascerained that he has the knOw-
edge, ability and independence of character, which
will place him beyond the influence of the moiety-
hunters of the Custom-house. they Will have here
after abundant reason to regret their nactIon
The General Appraiser is the safeguard of the
honest importer against the conspiraces OF Special
Agents and Custom-house subOrdinates The adj
vance of the merchants invoice is usually the com
mencement of the process which ends in the seizure
of his books papers. and property. This advance III
the Office of the Appraiser the importer cannot posi-
bly, prevent. Instances occur almost daily where
invoices are advanced without the slightest evidence
or suspicion of undervaluatien. and for the sole
purpose of commencing crusade against an indl-
vidusl or a class. If the importer submits, as many
unfortunately do, through fear of the expense of
resistance he enters the web from which there is
escape The law opens path of safety. and only
one He may appeal TO the General Appraiser.
That officer examines the judcially, and If the
goods are honestly invoced at their market value at
the time and place of expectation, so decides. and
| refuses to confirm the advance, and the goods
| entered at the invoice price. Without examining
here tho moduS operGadi of the examination by the
General Appraiser which, under the Treasury regu-
Iations is most disadvanageous to the importer,
. +I,,t fha Ann yiu aot
in concert with the Examiners and Special Agents,
! the importer is pOwerless in their hands. His de-
cison is conclusive and if, with without evidence
he confirms the advance made by the Examiner, the
importer is not only subjected to the payment of the
increased duties but to the whole process of fines
penalties seizure. and confscation, which follows
and was intended to follow from the outset This
Office of General Appraiser therefore is the most
important Office of the Customs Department to the
| commerce of this city; and unless filled by an
able honest and just man, that commerce is placed
completely at the mercy of the special agents and
| moiety-hunters who have so long dsgraccd the
| very name of officer of the Custom-housc For
period of about ten years Judge Hogeboom has held
the scales of justice in the Office OF General APP
| praiser He is man of large legal and judicial
| experience familiar with the rules of evidence, the
wavs of moiety- hunters and the principles of law.
He is thoroughly acquainted with the details OF the
office and brings to the examination OF every case
a cool clear and dspassionate Judgment. Above
ard beyond all these qualities, his integrity and
honesty are beyond question. The consequence has
been that the Office of General Appraiser has wholly
escaped the contamination of the corruptng influ-
ences which lave invaded other departments of the
Custom house. and has secured to itself the respect
and confidence of all honorable men.
Another consequence has also been inevitable. The
moietyhunters and Special Agents do not like Judge
Uogeboom He is an obstacle in their way. lie has
deprived them of moicties. Any change must be an
advantage for more Objectionable man 10 them
than Judge H0gebOom could not possibly be found.
They would much prefer stranger, and take the
chances of capturing him. Judge Hogebooms re-
moyal therefore is full of prospective danger 10 the
| commerce of New-York. have no word of unfavor-
able comment for the appOintee. When he has
had Judge Hogeboom's experience, he may make an
eoually good officer. But do say that the import
| ara of New-York should bestir themselves. They
should meet at once appoint active committee OF
their own number to visit Washington and ask the
Senate to suspend the confirmation OF Gen. Hlllyer
until all the facts of the removal ana appointment
can be invesig gated. They should hnd out whether
Iudpe Hogeboom's removal is the work OF the
moietvhnnters whether they expect IN his success
sor an officer whom they can control, whether Hen'
Hillyer does does not possess the character hr-
ness and experience necessary ioi oho po'i'''''
doubt whether the merchants Will take any ac-
| tion. They are slow 10 move in such matters But
they have been informed Of the peril that hangs
over them. They may escape 1T If they VIII. Inc
present is favorable opportunity. The infamous
| conspiracy born in certain department OF the
Treasury in June, 1864 which produced the statute
Of seizures has borne ITS fruits; the country ana
Congress are aghast at the profits and the per-
fornances of the moety y-hunters. If the merchants
will apply to the Senate they will be heard and no
! nominee will be confirmed as General Appraiser IN
the interests of these bad men. Let the importers
| of this city now upon their common enemy,
or hereafter hold their peace when they hnd them
selves ineXtricably caught IN his tolls.
Ne,O- York, Feb 10, 1874 AUX AiMhs'