New-York tribune., 1874-04-30
CUsTOM-HOUsE sINECUREs.
A CHANGE IN THE wEIGHERs' DEPARTMENT WIucI
MAY LEAD TO RETRENCHMENT.

MAY LEAD TO RETRENCHMENr
A long-contemplated change in the Weghers'
Department OF the CustOmhouse Is reported as likely TO
take place to-day to 60 into effect tomorrow oy
which the positions OF three deputy weighers are to be
created at the annual salaries OF Sl60O s40. and $1,000
respectively 1t has also determined TO make the
position Of clerk the weighers saared office at the
rate 100 per year This change has been IN coz
temptation for six months, and those VINO nave
been opposed to the measure assert that 1t VIII be
needless Office intended 10 draw money from the pock
cts OF the people Instead OF th it is believed that the
change will be the means OF saving the Government
very large annually 1t will bring to light number
OF snecuriss who have been drawing pay without per-
forming any work At there 10 welghers at
an annual salary Of $500 each $4,000 III all, and this
large amount is paid annually to men who merely sign
returns, OF which they know nothing, 80 Ear as the
details are concerned as the foremen perform
all the work upon which the details are based
When goods weighed, the beamsman takes the
ngur and he is not sworn officer there Is every
inducement for HIM misuse this position OF trust
these figures handed TO the clerk or foreman, who
makes out the and hands them TO the wegher
for signature. When called upon to substantate the
returns weigher is compelled TO swear to tie hg
ures taken by other men, The Office of wegher is gem
orally held by % ward politician, whose only qualfca
ton has heretofore been that he has worked well IN
his district" Ofentimes the weghcrs do not 20 near
their office for several days especially when business is
slack, and when they do appear at the Custom
house they merely lounge about, seemingly careless rs
to whether the of which they supposed to be
in charge correctly carried out not The men who
are employed under the weghers, whether clerks or
aborers 40 cents per hour and in order TO make
fair wages the clerks and foremen always return full
time for themselves and thus Oh ain the pay OF s2i per
week. Under the present arrangement. even the i0re
man is not officer and tine employees under the
weghcrs cost the Government from $1,000 TO s2OO per
Independents OF the salaries OF tue wegbers, VINO
are paid by check. AT very low estimate, tine
WeIshers' Department of the Custon-hOuse the
Government 100000 annually, when ~ should not
Cost than 100000.
The excess, above reasonable cost paid by the Gov
for weighing imported gOods Is accounted for
part by the 7 800 hgureheads and 10y the expensive
practice, very in the department, OF giving
small ward politicians who are sent TO the weigh
ers by the Collector and surveyor. Tue weigheIs are
bitterly hostile TO this change IN Their departments, ana
have vigorously opposed since 1t was first eoutem
plated 1t has been through their influence that has
been long delay ed and Tor time past they have
held meetings Tor the purpose OF deNlng means
to t from going into operation Tncy see IN the
appointment OF deputy weigherh that II men are CHOSEN
Will perform their duties faithfully, the utter use
lcssness the position OF weguGr as 1t Is nOw VIII he
fully demonstrated. There appears to be no doubt but
change will be effected to-day as t was ordered
and arranged ut Washington and IL VIII PROBABLY result
the abolition OF the Office OF wei CHER now exists