Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-29
The Manner Of Conducting
the Concern.
REPORTOF INVESTIGATION
COMMISSION.
Reduction of the Force to be
Made.
THE PRESIDENT CONCURs WITH
THE COM MISSION ~ THEIR
RECON- INTIMIDATION.
WAsuINGrnN. May 2S

WASHINGTON, May IS.
The investigation committee who have been re-
Gently examining the y. \. Custom House affairs,
recommend reduction of the force in the Gus
tom House naval Office and surveyors depart
ment, OF ~ per cent, which can be done by
retaining competent men and increasing the hours
OF service. They recommend abolishing the office
OF deputy collector at large and other deputy col
leciors the suspension of the Office of the deputy
collector at Jersey City, and the discharge OF the
deputy.
Surveyor Fly recommends the hours to be from
9 A. NJ. tod p. NJ. Other reductions may be lou nd
advisable rs the investigation proceeds. If the
system should be found capable of simplifcation
by consolidating some of the departments without
detrlment to tue government, or the interests Of
merchants.
The force now employed have mainly been ap-
pointed on political considerations, and are def
cent in proper attention to business, as well as IN
business qualifications and integrity Of character.
The committee believe that there can be no ade
quate protection In the customs service. for tue
honor of the government. the rights of import
ers and the interests Of the nation until the serv-
ice Is freed from the control of party, and organ
| lied on a strictly business basis.
| At the New York custom house there are col
lccted from 10 to - per cent. of tom reve-
nue., and its present annual receipts amount to
| about Sl0S 100000. The fidelity Of its manage
ment concerns at once our foreign commerce, Dur
domestic manufactures, the general prosperity OF
our people and the respect aud confidence of the
world. Its management IS complicated by the ex-
isting tariff, which subjects to duties spec ifc or
advaiorem, or both, on seventeen hundred art-
eles, and to the importers and American manu- fac
tures who invest their capital in enterprises based
upon the exact provisions of the tariff, it becomes
a matter OF concern, as shown by the complaints
that the conditions of the tariff while it remains in
force shall not be changed by ignorance, careless
ness or fraud in its execution.
| The question of political appointments the rec
ognltIon oil partisan power, outside OF the goF-
eminent, divided amoJg irresponsible leaders
Claiming the rights TO dispose of the offices of Gus
toms as the spolls OF party, assumes = national
magnitude and importance. Offices appointed
through political influence are expected TO make
their offices contribute in turn to the support of
the party, and the amount Of contributions asked
from the men is fixed by percentage on their re-
spectivc salaries. Most OF the officials thus as
sessed accede to the demands, and some repair
their diminished salaries by eXacting or accepting
from merchants unlawful gratuities
These party assessments seem to have been quiz
city permitted, if not openly sanctioned. and the
improper acceptance of gratuties, as appear from
the letter of the collector, has continued for a
quarter of century to defy the law and demoral-
iZe the service.
A further report on the Appraisers department
the system of examining baggage, ETC.. will be
made. but reforms can only be made effective by
the emancipation of the service from partisan con-
troll.
Washington, May 26.
Sr-l beg leave to call your attention to the ac-
companying partial report of the commission 10
examine the Custom house in New York. and es-
pccIaly TO that part Of 1t relating to appointing
upon political influence without due regard TO eff
fcency, as this involves the question of the gem
cIal policy which affects other departments of
your ADMINISTRATION. | desire instructions as TO
the rules you wish adopted on this subject matter
SO that they ma, be applied in the reforms pro-
posed in the New York custom house.
Respectfully yours,
| john SHERMAN.
| To the President.
Executive Mansion, n
Washington ID. c., May 26.
NV Dear Sr-I have read the partial report OF
| the commission appointed TO examine the New
! ok custom house. | concur W it'll the commits.
sion in their recomme ndatIous. 1t is my wish tina,
the collection of the revenues should be flee from
paItziD CONTROL and organized on a strictly bust
ness basis, With the same guarantees for efficiency
and fidelity in the selection of the chief and sub
ordinate officers that would be required by pru-
dent mt reliant. Tue party leaders should have no
more influence in appointments than other equally
respectable citizens. No assessments for poi ica
purposes officers or subordinaes shou Id be al.
| lowed. No useless officers employe should be
I, tanned. No officer should be required or per
mitted to take part in the management of political
organizations, caucuses, conventions or election
campaigns. Their light to vote and to expires.
! their views on public questions either orally OF
through the press is not denied prov ded it does
rot interfere with the discharge Of their officia
duties.
Respectfully,
II. B. HAYES.