The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-18

A Searching Investigation Ordered by
Secretary BriStOw.
STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED
Probable Removal OF Many Of
the Officials.

Among the passengers arriving 10 TINS city yes
RerSay by the morning train rom Washington
was Mr. Henry % Johnson the Commissioner OF
CustomA VINO came unexpectedly, and proceeded
suetIy % the ST Nicholas Hotel, where
he wiz probably remain oomicied several
days The advent OF tne Commissioner
win canse no end OF commotton
IN certain onlcia quarters for II Is rnmored that
mr.. Johnson comes 70 New York armed with I'M
persaut Instructions rom Mr.. Bristow, the secre-
cary Of Iae Treasury for the purpose Of instiIung
q personal examination into the practical WORK
angs Of the New YORK Custom House In all ITS
branches Ths investigation IS ordered by the
secretary OF the Treasury, In order 10 more
dntenigenny prepare for important and
radical changes IN the administration OF
AFFAIRS In the Custom House. IL has Deen
long felt that n change was necessary In
the manner OF conducting the business Of the
general government IN the way OF collecting the
customs and enforcing the laws governing duties
In all classes OF imported goods coming TO Ihis
rort. Not only have mercnauts OF reputation eS-
pressed such belief but It BIAS been entertained ia
'hlgn onncial circles.
THE RECENT DISCLOSURES
made BY the government on1cers relative TO the
case OF Lawrence, who WAS 30 recently brought
from Europe 10 answer volumnous charges OF
having smuggied goods on an extensive scale
show clearly that the Secretary OF the Treasury
rs aware that such colossal frauds on the
revenues OF me federal government could
NOS have been 20 successfully carried on
haa not some collision existed between
the smuEglers and some OF the Ofncals entrusted
with the responsible duty OF seeing that goods
were not passed without payment OF the lawful
customs. Indeed. II mas been a subject OF won
derment IN mercantile circles that steps
not taken long ago 60 insure the
honest payment OF duties, for nearly all the
leading Importers Of valuable hight goods nave
been aware tnaS thelr markets. were undermined
and ruined by the operations OF smugglers. Yet
Ahey could get no reoress. even when me matter
was mentioned 10 those whose business II Was 10
see the laws against smuggling enforced. on the
contrary these MERCHANTS were snuboed and in.
suited. But now we to have
A DECIDED CHANGE
Tor IL Is understood on the best authority that NJ.
johnson, the Commissioner OF Customs, expects 70
receive this morning, through the mall ADDITIONAL
definite Instructions, as well as important in
formation, TO enable him 10 fully and intel
llQently carry out the VIII and purpose
Of Secretary Bristow. Those who appear 10 be
hminar with the scope OF the proposed reorgsn-
ization OF the New York Custom House, state that
should the Developments 20 be made confirm the
Euspiclons Of Mr.. Brstow the result wiz be as
founding to many persons DOW In quiet possession
Of fat and lucrative Offices. Il rs claimed that
parties who have long been regarded
m actually necessary 20 the customs
service yin nnd thelr tenure OF once 70 be
Of exceedingly short duration, and the changes
contemplated wiz not Only be decisive IN their
nature, but sweeping iu character and extent.
In TACT there n no question but that me visit
III Commissioner johnson means business IA
every sense OF tne word, and II n spoken
OF N government eTc.es as conruua-
zion OF the Startling reforms recenSly
Exaggerated IN the internal Revenue Department
n she Treasury. The Developments or the next
few days will, douoL be watched Win deep IN
tere5t by those who are IN any way interested IN
an honest administration IN this port Of the Cue
toms laws OF the United States. who are TO be his
or who win be among the wounded can only DO
known when the Secretary Of the Treasury rSkss
onAcaal aenon IN the premises