The New York herald., 1876-03-22
The Model Appraiser at the Port
of New York.
how the Customs Revenue
Is Assessed.
CORRUPTION, FRAUD AND NCOMPETENCY
The Hero of the Third Avenue Savings Bank
Asked TO Step Down and Out.

report to the effect that William A. Darling had
hgned the position OF Appraiser at the port OF New
York was widely circulated yesterday, and as
widely credited by those who know good deal about
Ihe secret workings OF the Treasury Department and
The Custom House at this port
Mr.. Darling denied the report yesterday; but from
reliable information obtained by HERALD reporter
last evening there Is no question that the APP
praiser will be compelled to resign in less
Ihan week special agent OF the Treasury
has been several weeks engaged in invest-
eating Darlng's disgracefu connection with the
Third Avenue Savings Bank, and last Saturday for
warded his report TO Washington Immediately on its
receipt by the Secretary OF the Treasury Mr. Darngs
resignation requested. Darling went TO Washing
lon and Mr.. Brstow, but those best informed in
regard to the matter say tkat the Secretary mex
Drabe and insisted upon the APPRAISERS vacating his
Office
While the Third Avenue Savings Bank affair was
doubtless the immediate cause OF the Secrearys ac-
non the same result would unquestionaby have been
reached had boon heard of for it is
well known fact that Mr. Bristow has for long tmo
been much dissatisfied with the present management
Of the Appraisers Department
THE APPRAISERS DEPARTMENT
or course supposes for a moment that the
upendous frauds and the dsgraceul system OF bribery
and corruption OF all kinds being unearthed ut
Washington confined to Cabinet officials or the
various departments at the capital That they extend
10 tho Appraisers Department at this port will be
shown. This department is of the most i'm
portant, If indeed not the most important, OF the
four subdivisions Of the machinery for the collection
Of the government mposts at this port 1t is n
fact more or less notorious among merchants that this
branch OF the Custom House is rotten throughout.
Abuses OF every kind have crept into the department
NttIa h,yu u,ta aftar last ha
place has become disgrace to the present admin
istratiun.
or impossible to conduct vast concern
is the Appraisers Department in such that
fraud peculaton and other abuses be entirely pre-
vented, but the Office and has been administered
in the past that merchants not continually swim
died and robbed the of the government that
bribe taking WAS not countcnanced every hand
hat personal friends and relations OF the Appraiser
not thrust into every position of importance In
ihe department. that efficient and competent clerks,
Examiners experts and other officials not kicked
sut of Office on trumped.up charges to make for
relatives and favortes who knew nothing of the needs
workings of the service; that thieves and brbe
appointed to positions and retained in
them.
Some ten twelve days ago. Special Agent Jaynes,
OF the Treasury Department, and General Butler came
on to New York with instructions from the Secretary
of the Treasury to investigate certain alleged rregu
sriues, If nothing worse, in the Appraisers Depart
ment. A hurried investigation made and the re
Iut reported to Mr.. Brstow. who but for the inquiry
At the time going relation to Mr. Darling's con
necton with the Third Avenue Savings Bank, would,
is said, have taken immediate action in the matter.
now understood that Mr. Bristow is fully OF
she condition OF the Appraisers Department
and will send on three or special agents to thor
pugly overhaul the whole
WILLIAM A. DARLING.
General George W. Palmer removed from the
head Of the Appraisers Department in 1871 and Will
lam A. Darling appointed his successor by Pres
ident Grant and confirmed by the Senate Mr. Darling
has been before the public various positions for sew
oral years. He was twice IN Congress- and
he has been President of the Third Avenue
Railroad Company, President Of the Murray
Hin Bank, Secretary OF tho Third Avenue
Savings Bank and finally Appraiser a. the Port Of New
York. He has described irritable, fussy,
intriguing politician, having an average quantity OF
brains but no particular ability lie evidently
tains fondness for his relatives, distant and
always tres to make the government or the insti
tuition with which he has ''pul" provide them with
livelihood His leading characteristic, however, has
been hold public office. He usually monopozes
our Ave positions but at present he holds but three
In regard to his position Appraiser at this port con
itant complaints are being made by merchants who
have TO do business with HIM As one gentleman ex.
pressed IL yesterday, Mr. Darling spends much time
savings banks and primary meetings that It is with
the difficulty that merchants him at all
Since his connection with the Third Avenue Bank busi
the entire force of the department has lost tha
degree OF respect II should entertain for chief
therefore Decentralization is the result
VINO STOLE HAM2
Teaac n HINT WAS ono Of tho Board of Apnra n
some time ago. Isaac was known to have a marked
partiality for hams, and, number of real nice
sugar cured westphaa hams were then constantly
passing through the Appraisers Department. the
temptation too great for, Isaac. and he wal
detected in carrying OF the hams away. IL
those days II was customary frown upon dishonesty
SO Mr. Hunt frowncd upon, and thrown out OF
situation But he resolved to lead honest Lie and
therefore, went into politics In short time he bc
power in the Assembly district where he lived,
and his residence and that OF the present Appraiser
in close contiguy, his services were indispensable
to the political aspirations OF Mr. Darling Under
these circumstances Isaac had to have place in the
Custom House. from which he had been igno
miniously expelled, and hc got It and stn holds it
Nowadays It appears that In the Appraisers Depart
mcnt dishonesty always considered good grounds
for removal For n time II customary for Mr.
Darling, when he wished to mako room for son,
brother-in-law, nephew, cousin, iather n-law o
any other ayorc, TO send some gentleman In the de
partment pcrfumed note stating that, owing to tn,
that the United States District Attorney had pro
fcrred charges against him, his position would at
be considered vacant For time this systera OF ma
nipulalng the gulotinc worked admirably; for. a
rule all were conscious OF being so far corrupt tha
they knew charges by the District Attorney we're moi
only possible but probabe therefore they quietly
submitted. Mr. Darling was constantly looking
about for vacancies 10 create. until Ia
whole Iamily OF Darling held oiice and ther,
Nt4ra alnrr fnr
moment this remarkable family Is said TO draw no les
a sum than $42 OO0 per annum. Is u any wonder
then that Mr.. Darling dd not have TO go outside hi
Office holding family procure bail in the Thir'
Avenue Savings Bank casel
While the Official decapltation was In progress Mr
Daring happened TO dismiss some three or four homes
men, who knew that tie District Attorney could no
make charges against them. Aner their rcmova
thcy wrote letter 20 Mr. Bliss asking what ths
Ae HAY had mi ci