The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-28
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
CURIOUS TALE or A BRoTHr R-Ts-LAw-wuL
MR. BEIsTOw EXPLAIN?


MR. BIIsTow EXPLAIN?
WAsHNGroS August 20. 1875
report made to The Treasury Department by
special agent who has been Investigating the efficiency
OF Northern and Eastern custom houses con-
tans curious story OF what has beea called ''civil
service reform" under Mr.. Bristows management.
Charles Robinson Consul al Quebec. Hc was
suspended under the Tenure of Office act from that
Office in July, 1870, by the Secretary OF State
charges OF and even cssraceul character,
which mentioned in this report He turns up
next in 1874, clerk In the Boston Custom House,
recommended for dismissal for ncompetency and no
accordingly removed in June Of year by Col
lecor Simmons. But in August, two months later he
appears again foreman of weghers, and is reported
to have drawn four months pay there without per-
forming duty; then, January, 1875, trans
ferred to the night inspectors. and drew pay
three months there without doing any work,
shown by the morning reports the Surveyor
While the captain of the night inspectors trying
get him dropped he suddenly IN March, 1875, APP
pointed clerk in the Naval Office, Boston In the fol-
lowing November he again dismissed, on the wish
OF the Naval Officer; but he up again on the 22i
Of May, 1876 ''liqudatng clcrkn in the Same Office
from which no had been dismissed tho previous No
yember Tho office OF nquidatlns clerk OF the
most important in the Custom House, and this report
arpertainlng to 1t. But here the remarkable
part OF this tale 1t partly disclosed the following
correspondence, to make which ineligible 1t should
be understood that Charles Robinson Is trother-.n-
law OF Judge Luke r. Poland, OF Vermont and that
Judge Poland appeared at the Cincinnati Convention
very conspicuous and Jealous Bristow
man, heading the delegation from his State,
and using AL his influence secure the nomination OF
Mr. Bristow. Mr.. Poland appears to have been in
Washington early in May, and arranged with Mr. Bris-
tow for Robinsons reappointment and promotion. n
accordance with such arrangement and OF the in
structions Poland conveyed from Mr. Brstow to the
Naval Officer that gentleman wrote the foilowing:-
CUSTOM House,, BosroS |
OFFICE OF THE NAVAL OgFicER, May 4, 1876.
SIR--lf may be permitted TO increase the expense
of this Office would respectfully nominate subject
your approval, Charles Koonson, clerk No II, at
salary of 81. 200 per annum have the honor 10 DO
Waller HARTMAN, Naval Officer
Hon. b. II. BRIsrow, Secretary of tho Treasury,
Washington, ID q.
This letter cane unluckily into the hands of Assis
tant Secretary Conant who, not being aware OF pri
vate understanding, replied
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, May 8, 1876.
WALTER HAERMAS, Esd, Naval Officer, Boston,
Mass.
s,R-In reply to your letter OF the All inst request
ing authority to nominate Charles Rob nson to be
clerk your Office 81. 200 per annum, additional
Office you are informed that the depleted condition of
the customs appropriation will not adms OF any IN
crease IN the expense your Office at the present mc
and that am therefore compelled to deny your re-
CHiRLEs \ C0SANT, Assistant Secretary.
BY direction OF the secretary
But Judge Poland to be put of Ho wrote
Immediately to Mr.. Bristow:-
ST.. Jonysuuny VT May TO- 1876
My DEAR SEcRErARY-On tho same day last met
you in Washington / wrote Governor Hartman. Naval
Officer in Boston, that was authofized by you say
him that II he needed the services OF my brother
n-ldw, Charles RobDson, ana would send IN his name,
his nomination would be confirmed. heard no moro
from the matter until last night when received from
Mr.. Robinson the ncoscd copy OF letter from assist
ant Secretary Conant refusing 10 confirm harrlman's
nomination OF Robinson | infer 1t was done by Mr..
Conant without your knowledge though stated TO be
by direction OF the Secretary II II brought
to YOUR knowledge at all then our last conversation IA
the subject must have escaped your recollection. |
therefore trouble you again on the subject,
soinporiant 10 me- do not know n what form Gov
crnor Hartman made his appointment. but Robinson
writes that the real need OF the Office liquinl
Ing clerk; that there is none; and that IT be is ap
pointed II would be To perform the duty OF such cork.
am. most truly yours &c, l.. I. POLAND
Hon. b. IL. BRIsrow, Secretary of Treasury
This settled tho matter In spite OF the low cbb OF
the customs appropriations Secretary Bristow mmc'
datcly ordered tho appointment of Judge polond's
brohcr-in-law, ana replied to the Judge in The follow
ing note, marked ''personaI:'
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, May IL, 1875
Hon /. T. POLAND ST. Jonnsbury. VT. -
DEAR SIR-ln reply to your note OF the 10th inst
have honor to advise you that the nom alton by
Mr. Hartman. Naval O,cer at Boston. OF Chare Rob
inson, to be clerk his oilce, brought 10
personal attention. and that The same, comiug forward
The ordinary course oil business dsspprovcd by
Assistant secretary Conanl, who has general authority
to sign letters by my direction
The approval OF the nomination has to-day boon
the Naval Oniccr. am, scry respectfully,
b. ii. BRlsTOW, Secretary.
The following letters tell the this tale of 'cv
service reform: -
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, May IL, 1915
WALTER HARTMAN, Esq, Naval officer, Boston, Mass.
Sm-By direction ot the Secretary the nomination
OF Charles Robinson be clerk No IL, at 81 200 per
annum, Office restored, hereby approved take
effect from the date OF his OATH submitted your
letter oil the 4th inst am, very respectfully,
CHARLES h. CONANf, Assistant Secretary.
CusroM House,, BosroN ,
OFFICE THE NAVAL OFFICER. May -. 1870.
SIR--By authority of your letter of the l7th INST
have appointed Charles Robinson clerk (No. III IN
this Office salary Of 81 200 per annrin. and he has
this day entered upon tho duties OF his Office
| have forwarded his Official oath ,bc Commis-
sioner OF Customs. Very respectfully your obcdent
servant, WALTER HARTMAN, Naval Officer.
Hon D. H. BsIsTow, secretary OF tho Treasury. WASH
ington, ID. q.
As Mr.. Brstow is announced to speak the subjec.
OF civil service reform during the present Presidential
campaign he might dnd suggestive text in this tale
OF Judge Poland's brothcr-in-law.
ANOTHER TRAGIC SCENE ON THE
IrNJnN pA(,TETC