The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-10
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
THE FIRST STEP MADE BY COLLECToR
KING.

THE FIRST STEP MADE NJ COLLECTOR
KING.
Rumored steps Looking 60 the Abolition
Of the Naval Onlcc--A New
Move on Hayes.
Twenty employees Of the various departments
IN the customs service at the Custom House re-
ceiyed notices that their services we're no longer
required, or, In other words, that Secretary
eherman's civil service reform had very neatly
CHOPPED OFF THEIR BEADS,
thus making o reduction in salary expenses Of
something like 5000 per year.
OF course, there was . kick among the newly
made ''outs,' and some of them threatened all
sorts Of things including exposures Of the tricks
that they think are played h the building, and
others went straight 10 work 10 get back again,
and have already started their petitions for rein
statement, some Of the smart ones button oling
ANDERSON AND WELLS
during the day and evening for their influence.
The Collector, according to Saturday mornings
DEMoonAr, issued letter to the Chamber of
Commerce and to the Cotton Exchange, Of which
che following is copy
New ORLEANS, June 8, 1877.
To the President and Members Of the Chamber
OF Commerce Of New Orleane:
Genaemen-It has been reported to the Treas
ury Department at Washington that the business
of the Custom House at New Orleans has been
organized on an extravagant ecsle, and that in
some respects IL is oppressive TO importers. 30
far no comp laint has been made by the importing
merchants of this city, whose vigilance and
promptness in everything affecting our com.
merce is proverbial. But as the report have al.
luded to has been made and refe red to me,
desire IL to be inquired into. large proportion
OF the merchants. importers and ship agents Of
New Or cans testified last year, before the Con-
gressional Investigating Committee, that the
customs affairs at this port bad 'been condu ted
Justly and honestly, IN the interests OF the gov
eminent aud the business Of the country" This
statement I make cheerfully. In justice to my
predecessor In office.
II, however, you should be cognizant of any
irregularities in the existing eystem, or any regu-
lations oppressive to importers, which may have
suggested themselves to you since the above tes-
timony was given or should you thinR II copdu-
Give 10 the pubic interest TO make any material
changes In the eys.em now In operation or
should You have any proposition to make, tend.
ing TO more convenient, prompt and economical
administration OF this department, you will con-
fer favor by reporting TO the commission now
holding daily sessions in the Custom House, OF
which Gen. M. Barney is the chairman.
Trusting that, as representatives OF the COM
mercisl interests Of the city, and whenever you
may deem IL necessary, you will make 10 me any
suggestions that may occur to you as calculated
TO promote efficiency and economy In the admin
istration OF the customs service at this port,
remain, respectfullv, your obedt serv't,
JOHN Il. KING, Collector Of Customs.
Yesterdays dispatches gave some OF the Gus.
TOM House heads quite anervous shock, as q gen.
eral slate was prognosticated by the
GRAND AND AMIABLE FLoppEn,
Barr, OF the Washington Agency OF the Associated
Press. Hiard was In hos water at Jim Lewis
n a. l.
from No. 1924 +. street. Washington, and Joubert
was q trine frightened, thinking he was not to
come in at all. Antoine heard that he was to be
taken care OF and went straightwsy to Wells.
grinning as only he can when he sees some of
the loAves and fishes ahead.
Pitkin didn't feel quite firm in his possession
OF the Marshals Office, and to make the thing
more binding he, in the evening, held a private
council with Packard, Joubert and others, as to
the future policy TO be pursued. II ia evident,
and we have II from the very best authority, that
Pitkin
INTENDS no STICK,
no matter what Hayes does in the way Of sugges-
tons, and 10 q very knowing way he intimates
that he holds the trump cards, and enough OF
them 10 unite some of The Northern Radicals In
war upon Hayes should he insi.t on Pitkins
stepping down and out. These cards, IL IL said
consist OK various Important letters written dur
ing the campaign and during the canvass OF the |
vote
BI THE RETURNING BOARD,
which will bring the writer's to Ben Buffers sup |
port the moment be makes another dive for |
Hayes.
II is said now that the Stamps. Dumont delega-
tion were sent tn Washington more to ascertain /
the Presidents views than anything else, and II |
the dispatches they have sent back here bear any
significance, they are not presenting the question
OF negro patron &c as much as they are sound
ing him for Pitkn and Packard.
In connection with the
GRAB FOR spoILs,
In the shape OF offices, 1t il limited in the building
that there is not really any necessity for the
Naval Office, and that it s more ornamental than
necessary, and for this reason, pc haps, the sub
ject OF the abolition OF that Office will be laid |
before the commission.
II would oil course require act of Congress
to abolish the Office, but that could be obtained |
by . Recommendation made by the commission |
to the Secretary Of the Treasury, and BY him |
Endorsed In his next report to Congress. Were |
this position abolished it would save TO the ooun-
try at least
TWELVE THOUSAND DouhARs
per annum In salaries, and for that reason 1t is |
now urged that the commission inquire into the |
matter.