The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-26
CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION.

COLLECTOR ARTHUR's TESTIMONY BEFORE TEE
| coMMIssIoN--How AND WHY APPOINTMENTS
ARE MADE.
Secretary Sherman's commission sat again yester-
day but examined few Witnesses The pile OF pri-
In formation in their hands 10 constantly ncrcas
ing; much Of II is anonymous however. After .
lengthy secret session such present
appeared and examined the first one cling james
J. Kelly, who said he carpenter He had written
. comm nicAton 70 tho commission complaining Of
political grievances. Ho testified that there
erai men In the appraisers Office who possessed
neither morality nor honesty; they are employed az
openers ana packers; one was indicted for Keeping
gambling house; another removed for stealing
brandy from the appraisers stores and renstated by
Appraiser Fronch; another ofnccr OF the night watch
was dismissed from the police forcc This witness
was very vindictive He endeavorod TO make further
statements but the commission declined TO listen
any more
Mr. A. f. Bender testified that the Public Cartman's
son, Dean, requested aud obtained money from the
steamship companies for allowing goods TO remain
the dock longer than forty-eght hours.
Tho commission announced that nm invitation had
been sent 10 the Chamber Of Commerce informing
them that Monday, June 1. a hearing will be given
TO such members as may desire to make any state
ments concerning the revenue laws and system
wegher Charles Blackee transmitted statement In
which he pronounces the statement made by r. NJ
Marsh, OF Gautz Jones Il Co, few days ago before
the comm lesion totally false.
COLLECTOR ARrHuR's TESTIMONY
Prior TO making the investigation public the CON-
mission examined Collector Arthur, and yesterday
gave tho testimony to the press. General Arthur
stated that there not many changes mado the
Custom House generally supposed, least there
hava Mt bAcu mi MAJ Mar ADJ I'M
traton; nearly two-,hrds Of all tho employees undor
the Collector who were In Office SIX years ago are
now, their terms Of service ranging all the ay
from forty-sight years TO years; these number be-
500 and 900; In Ave and half years there have
been 40 removals, most ofthem tor cause in regard
Is generally supposed; IN hve and hall years there
have been 46I aDpoin tments OF men; OF this
Der IT'S made as the result OF competitive ex.
animation under the Civil Service rules which
were in force from December, 1872, to December,
1874, leaving 2S6 appointments as made outside
OF tho Civil Service rules IN the whole Ave and
now APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE
Collector Arthurs experience that politics have
more less do with largo proportion Of tho np-
pointmcnts made This Is no more so In the Custom
House here than throughout the whole country:
There is comparatively less trouble with tho ward
politicians. large majority Of The appointments
not made for them The urgency fer appointments In
all the country OF high standing and character
men prominent 10 business and IN public AFFAIRS.
fortunate In business often positions the
vice. For instance aeentieman will como to the Col
ssHere is merchant who has lost his business ana
property, and am much interested In him, and would
| ike 10 have you appoint him.
politician, not the smallest Of tho word, but
prominent In public affairs The mau who receives
this appointment may not have anything 10 do with
politics all, and tho Collector asks questions
| that point Recomm end alions Tor appointments
always carefully examlncd, ana no appointment is
/ mi do IN
for II The new appointments arc almost Invariably
made to loves. grade iu tho several divisions
Upon tho occurrence Of vacancy the chief OF division
| Is called upon 70 recommend the promotions TO DO
made He rs familiar with tho merits and qualidoa-
dalton 10 carried out eavng the lowest grade In tb
division TO DO filled by the new clerk. which
degree OF capacity. The applicants qualifications
inquired nto 10 learn wheIhcr he has any clerical
ability, whether no wiz make competent inspector,
whelher he IL only at Tor . night Waterman
ssnger TIT is found that man cannot perform his
duties the place TO which he 10 appoin ed but Is
honest and faithful BIO would be assigned TO some
other division IN the pubic sorcfor instance, where
my ordinary could do the work II he should DO
reported by the chief Of his DIVISION being inel-
Gent neglcciiul Of his duty guilty Of mapractices
in once he would be dropped. The chofs OF divisions
are held responsible requested to make state
casos occur. The new appointment 10 IN effect only
tor period OF probation aud 4 the chiefs Of divisions
OF incapacy and want Of integrity tue bost only
remain and tho others are gradually dropped out Th.s
| Ii the real check upon the system Of appointment
/ LENGTH OF sERvIcE-KExOvALs.
or tho $40 persons now employed in the Custom
House, whose cover period oil IRON fort y
eight years five and halt years has been in posi-
ton 4S years, for 40 years, LOT 30 years. Tor SO
years. Tor 2S years. for 20 years, Tor "a years.
for Is years, for ~ years. Tor q years, Tor IS
years. 10 for 10 years. sor Is years. for IA years, IL
Tor ID years. IA Tor IL years. II for II years. 20 Tor 10
years. 26 Tor years. 100 Tor years. 107 for years,
lB6 for years and 10 for 5 years Tho following is
| statement showing the number OF persons employed
| in the Collectors department with the number and
percentage OF removals under the administration oil
| The following named COLLECTORS