The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-01

will be suspended for week, In order to
reorganize IL. The removal OF Jewell Is
n direct result Of the investigation con-
ducted bv the special treasury commit
tee. McCartee, former superintendent,
id mainly responsible for the corrup-
tions that have grown up in this bu-
rear. more rotten branch OF the pub
I'D service never existed. Tho investi-
cation showed the grossest criminal
neglect and an extraordinarily low
standard OF character among the en-
pIoyees filling the most responsible po-
sitions in the bureau.
One Of the most serious things brought
out as q result Of this investigation Is
has hitherto permitted In handling the
plates upon which its paper money is
printed. Thousands Of dollars are spent
every year by the secret service chasing
down and arresting counterfeiters, YET
II appears from this Investigation that
there is more danger of loss from dupll-
cation than from counterfeiting ourren-
cy. For instance, the plates on tne w
reau are in charge of two or three h .s
who are responsible to no one ~. .ne
head OF the division OF engraving.
These plates are kept loose In q
large safe. and are carEleu
to and from the work rooms without any
nrc,,a, ,,rao.I,tion being taken to secure
thr mates from being taken out Of the
bursa,t RI has been shown by investi-
pation that the average character Oh !ne
men employed is not good, there oeihg
no particular precautions agalnst Cne
abstraction Of plates. no teni ps.',1s
ara An least too great to be successfully
t.esistad by any of the type OF men that
Ind charge of the bureau under yewell.
MACPHERSON. who succeeds Jewell next
Tuesday. Ia q rabid partisan, but his
noraonal honesty upon business matters
Is beyond question. He Ia not u man
who will continue any of the enormities
that were originated by McCartee.
cUJsroM-HIousE3 INVESTIGATION.
rae Inquiries to hc Made into the New
work., ana rrpbahiy, also, the New
orleans Gust0ns- Homsc.
tOhiosgo Times.l
NEW YoRK. April 25.-The commission
Of three members appointed TO i1vesti-
gate tho affairs OF the New York Gus
tom house held its first informal meet
ING to -day. It consists OF Hon. John
Jay. chairman: Lawrence Turnure, of
Moses Taylor Il Co., and J. II. Robin
son. Assistan. Solicitor Of the Treasury.
Mr.. Turnure is o. Democrat, man OF
commercial experience. and will not
act. as his colleagues say, In any parti-
san spirit. The letter from the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury, John Sherman,
empowering the commission, ana APP
pointing Mr.. Jay it's chairman. contains
the following instructions: Il desire
q thorough examination into Inc con-
duct Of the business OF the New York
custom house, and it's seems to me
propsr TO make such an examination by
the aid of q committee which shall rep
resent the merchants, the officers OF the
port. and this department. | have,
therefore, to request you to act us such
committee. This examination will en-
brace the following points:
II. Whether the forces nowemployed
in the various branches of the customs
service at New York, including the ma
val office, surveyors Office and apprais--
er's department Is In excess OF the actual
needs Of the service.
80. Whether any OF the force now en-
ployed arc deficient In proper attention
TO business, or in business qualifications
Of integrity or character.
80. The number OF hours they are en-
ployed. and whether such hours can be
properly increased.
"a. And whether they are In any man
rler employed In other business.
81 also desire to inquire into the sys-
tenn of business in vogue in the apprais-
er's department.
81. Whether it can be improved in re-
gard to the mode of appraisoment, ex
animation Of goods, manner of sam
ping, etc.
50. Also. as to the manner in which
appointments are now made.
SO. Whether it can be improved.
"A. Whether appointments heretofore
made have been upon political influence
without regard to efficiency.
81 desire you to give your careful at |
tention to such complains as may be
presented to you as to the mode Of con-
Quoting business, and as to the efficiency |
of the service, and to take them into
consideration In making your report
upon the general subject involved. The
heads OF the various departments OF the |
Custom House will be requested to give
you their cordial cooperation In pursu-
ing these inquiries, and they will be re-
quested to suggest to you any changes |
that may occur to them that will be in |
harmony with law and tend to promote
the efficiency OF tho service
The committee begins its investigation |
tomorrow.