The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-11
GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCH.


TIoN-How GOVERNMENT FUNDS WERE
SPENT FOR PARTISAN PURPosEs-surr RECON-
MENDED AGAINST COLLECTOR CAsEY-THE
ADMINISTRATION OF OTHER FEDERAL OFFICES
COMMENDED.
The report submitted in the House to-day by Mt.
New from the committee appointed to investigate the
federal offices In LOUISIANA, is devoted mainly 10
cital OF the results Of their inquiries concerning the
management of the New Orlcaus Custom House, At
the outset they say that Collector James F. Casey
his subordnates endeavorcd in several ways TO oh.
struct the investigation. The report EVIL
dencc Of irregularities and frauds in the i'm
portaton OF dutabc goods was given by
number OF witnesses in the employ OF the Custom
House and Internal Revenue Bureau at New Orleans;
and evidence introduced tho part of the Col
lccor to rcbut the existence of these alleged frauds
upon the revenue but the committee characterize as
conflicting and contradictory. The committee add,
however, that several merchants engaged IN the i'm.
port trade testified that they had found the Custom
House management honest, efficient and courteous,
and u statement SO certifying was signed by large
number Of New Orleans importers and received US
evidence
The committee proceed TO state that It appears
from contradctcd evidence that the Custom House
at Now Orleans mado to contribute large sums OF
money, taken from its revenues, to partisan ends.
These distracted by means OF fraudulent
vouchers, made out In the Custom House apparently
all regularly signed and sworn to- purportpg be
services rendered temporary laborcrs Many of tho
names fictitious and other cases the parties
named rendered a moments service IN the Gus
tom House. These papers certified by Crawford,
entry clerk and forwarded to tho Secretary of the
Treasury vouchers for disbursements made by the
Collector of the Customs and the money thus obtained
applied TO political purposes, and IN fact sometimes
the consideration tue pollution OF the ballot box
ITSELF
Tho committee nnd tina, Daniel P. Kinzcla, Special
Treasury Agent, had knowledge OF tho prevalence of
this system and did nothing TO check IT, Tho commit
tee say they unable to obtain from Collector
Casey duplicates OF any OF these vouchers although
duplicates of all other vouchers obtanable, and
tho Collector failed appear before the committee,
although subprnaed alleging illness reason.
They add-
This fact supplcmeung the positive evidence esiab-
fishing these corrupt practices can lead to but one
clus.on.
They next describe what they characterize as ian
other saring fraud, namely, payment bv Casey OF
$1,000 f. A. Davis nominally for repairing the
government warehouse, at quarantine station, when
,act DAVIS performed work whatever, and merely
turned the money to j. H. Syphcr for use, as he
lDavlSl unucrStOOu, IOF pOtiVCh purposes The
committee recommend that tho government should,
without delay Institute suit against Collector Casey to
recover such sums OF money have been by him ana
his subordun,es Incorporated to unlawful purposes
as shown by the evidence. They add
Your committee cannot believe that tho President
will permit Mr. Casey continue Office Collector
of Customs at New Orleans after he shall have become
acquainted with the testimony taken before your
mttee
The committee devote some space TO description Of
certain irregularities and violations OF law the office
of the United States Marshal with regard to the mp.
polntmcnt and payment OF special deputy marshals
for election purposes IN country places
where their appointment not author
lied un.cr tho General Election law, which
is applicable only to cities or towns having popula-
ton Of 20 00o or upward. They commend Marshal
packard's administration, however, ms faithful aud
praiseworhy In all other respects. They bes,ow I'M.
qualified praise upon District Attorney Beckwih and
say also that they found all other federal Offices New
Orleans satisfactorily conducted in the interests of tho
govcrnm; mt aud tho convenience of the public The
committee anmadvcrt, however upon the fact hat tho
Surveyor General and Register OF the Land Office
at tho time members Of tho State senate, which
should dcbar them IRON holding Office under the
federal government
The committee having been furih directed to III.
quire into The tou.hatta affair and the alleged outrngcs
in FcIiciana parish, adopt The reports OF their sub
committees. which have already been published on
these subjects.
This report Is signed by Representatives Gibson
Blackburn, Stevenson Vance, New and Reilly.
The minority, represented by Mcssr.. Congcr, OF
Michigan Darrell, of Louisiana, and woodburn, OF
Nevada, say:
Al tho very outset the committee required the seve
raj departments TO furnish statement OF all OF tho
OF The Twelve federal officers Louisiana and
found them all correct and properly settled; and that
these Official stat emcnts furnished satisfactory evidence
OF the fidelity OF all OF these .iccrs, from the Juc
OF their appointments 10 the present time
far ms their accounts with the government
ccrncd The universal testimony shows concrhsivcIy
that the Coil, oi Customs had uniformly managed
the business his depart ment with prompincss with
courtesy, with fidelity TO the government ana due
regard to the convenience Of The public and they lake
pleasure In referring To the testimony OF many Of the
brst citizens of New Orleans that effect.
ani IN cmbodying IN their views the emphatic
testimonial Of large list Of tho mos, Respectable bust
men of the city most oi whom IN poliiicai
accord with the federal officers, whose administration
thcy indor-c 80 heartily.
The minority append a statement signed by over 100
Importers merchants. sbpowncrs, &c., who thus
tiy to The efficiency and honesty the federal officials
In regard to all the federal officials referred 10 tho
minority say thnt the testimony shows an able, honest
and efficient administration OF the public BUSINESS and
the minority cordially indorse the maioriy's report
concerning the Marshal's Office.
rhc minority also quote and ndors the najorty's
expressions Of satisfaction IN regard 10 the manage
mcnt o. The other federal Offices in Louisiana.
The minority then state that they DESTROYS OF
joining with the majority In a report, and, when the
majority report was submitted to them, moved to
amend 1t In Eve particulars which was refused By
strict party vote, leaving them no alternative but to
permit great injustice to innocent TO express
their dissenting views
Fira-The minority desire to s,riko from tho
majority report that portion charging Collector Casey
with obssructing the investigation Of the committee.