New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-07
CTSTOMHOUSE PRUNING.
SELECTING THE VICTIMS.

AUDITOR OGDEN, RICHARD GRANT WHITE, AND W.
II. M'MAuoS TO PICK OUT THE SUFFERERS.
Collector Arthur has appointed the committee
make the selection of persons 10 be dismissed from the
Custom house in conformity with the recommendations
Of the Invest CATION Commission The committee con
ssts of Samuel g. ogden, Auditor Of the Custon-house
william H. Mcmahon, Chief Clerk OF the Fifth Division;
and Richard Grant White, who is in chargeof the Reve
Cutter Bureau. Mr.. Ogden has been Custom-house
Auditor since lsi2--nearly 80 years-and III that time
be has adjusted OF IS collectors. His thor
oug knowledge of the Customs laws and the require
OF the public business is generally conceded Mr.
White is far widely known Shakcspcrean stu
dent and writer English than a member of the
Customs service but he has been connected with the
New-YorE Custou-uouse for a humber of years
Mcmahon is also man OF long experience Ill revenue
affairs.
Following is the Collectors letter to the committee
CusroM-HoUsE NEw-IOgK,
COLLECTORS OFFICE, June g. 1871
GENTLEMEN: have 20 requcsi that You VIII aci -
cOmmitteo make careful examination of the several
competency. character. and merits Of each cploNc TO
The end ila the reduction recommended and adopted III
may be carried mo effect. In imposing upon you tins
duty, cal your particular attention to the views OF tr
Hon Secretary OF tie Treasury expressed ~ The cor
rcspOndence referred 10, that may be III
,orrd o ta consi ,r,tfjons and principles by hicb
yOu are To be- guided i'll making your examination ana
report Therefore Tequ, sttd 10 be most thorough
in your nvesligaon NJ 10 the competency aptImdr,
aud halsts OF every attacLc reporting 10 the Collector
the POSITIONS in the service which IN your opinion
may be Discontinued AID tHo persons VINO may dc
dropped without s,TlDUs deirmnt To he public sey vice
White may not be possible to effect reduction such as
is spccilc ~ recommended by the commission In the
several bureaus, 1t hoped tAat you may be able TO
make such recommend tons a. viii III the de2ic@to
and general character enable that result 10 he acco-
pSed 10 is important tIat pTocct at once 10 tlc
discharge this dty order that the Collector T., yOur
report may be placed in position 10 carry thc IL
strucIOns OF tbe Home Secretary INTO effect without H-
necessary delay. Relying / upon Your utc! -chcc,
extended knowledge, and ong Familiarity Win tif r.
quirtncus general routine OF the pubic business
believe iha This important sIhcc wi receive YOU con-
sccnous and best c1ofs and it is my earnest dc.re
that YOU ShOuid D. Influenced ~ other consideration
than that OF the best interests Of the public service
am, very respectfully, c. \. AhfHi 4, to.I cor
Although the inspectors gaugers, Weghcrs, ami n-Et
wachmcn are appointed by tine Collector, they ere by
law under the charge Of the Surveyor rheCoccor
therefore sent IL letter yesterday - surveyor sharpe
similar To that given above, requesting hm TO appoint
committee to make proper selections IN his depart
ncni and Il s expected thc surveyor viii comply |itA
this request to-day.