The daily gazette., 1876-04-28
SECOND EDITION,
TIE CUSTOM HOUSE EXPOSURE.
HOW 1T WAS REGULATED FOR PO-
LITICAL EFFECT, AND FOR SEC
RETARY BRISTOW'S BENEFIT.

Developments a-e ow comi- n light
which tend to show that the l,cent ex-
posure at the Custom House, was made
at this particular time for importal po-
litical reasons. 1t is stated on good au-
thority that the failure of Collector No
len to turn over to the Government the
proceeds arising fiom the sales of the
wrecked cargoes was reported to Secre-
tary Bristow in the middle of last July,
and t.:..j the Secretary then promised to
investigate the affair.
Since then the investigation "has been
dragging its slow length along, hut it
never eliminated in an exposure until
this week. 1t was known in this city as
far back as January last, and was doubt
less officially known to the Treasury De-
partment at the time the attention of
the Department officers was directed to
Delaware, by the smuggling operations
at Lewes. In fact a publication was
made in a morning paper at that time
which indirectly limited at the rresent
state OF affairs, but it was retracted when
Collector Nolen promptly made public
the details of another and more recent
sale Of liquors, and produced the receipts
of the Treasury Department for the pro-
ceeds of the same.
And SO the exposure was deferred un-
til later in the campaign. in order to have
an effect upon the election of State Con-
vention delegates, which takes place on
Saturday, May 18th. 1t is well know n
that the two wings of the Republican
party in this cit7 are supporters respect
lively of Blame and Bristow for the Pres
idency, and that the anti-Ring, or Bris.
tow Republicans, now control the Gus.
tom House through the appointment OF
M NJ
lens successor. They hope, aided by the
effect of the recent explosion" to elec,
a majority Of tn. State Convention dele
gates from this County, and thus secure
at least two votes for Bristow in the Del
aware delegation to Cincinnati.
A rather significant fact, in this con
nection, may be mentioned, as follows
The Washington correspondent of the
| st. Louis Globe Democrat in recently
prepared table showing the probable re-
suit of the first formal ballot in the Gin
cinnati Convention, gave four Of Della
wares votes to Blaine, and two to Bris
tow. Now, it is highly probable thai
something more than a shrewd guess was
necessary to enable the compiler, of the
table to dispose of Delaware's six votes
in this manner, and the supposition is
natural that the contemplated "eXplo
|
ton, and its expected political effect,
carefully computed.
Such exposures coming to light just OIL
the eve of State Conventions, are calcu
lated to create strong feeling in favol
of Bristow as the Republican President
ial candidate, and this feeling i, contin
ually worked up and fomented by tn,
army of special agents of the Treasur.
Department, whose operations extent
over the entire country. How many OK
posures, like this one ia Delaware, wer,
timed SO as to do the most good" it i
impossible to say.
Whether Or not the exposure will pro
ouce the expected result is still matte
for conjecture. The ring Republican
are more defiant than ever and if the
are successful at the delegate election
the Delaware delegation at Cincinnati
will undoubtedly cast solid vote for tn
gentleman from Maine" In two week
from tomorrow, the contest will be de
cideI.