New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-13

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the establishment as a right. To such an ex-
tent has this usuIpation been carried tll'
regular accounts are kept at the Custom House
with important personages IN the party, aho
they are formally debited with the appoint
ments made upon their order. 1t would DC
interesting 10 know what sort of entries appear
on the other side of the ledger. Sucn
being the method of appointment, u Is
not surprising that the roll Of employees DIS
closes some very queer things The TUE ana
salary of Naval Officer have belonged Tor the
past six years to newspaper editor at Ian
caster. The Surveyor owns paper at 10
wanda. The Local Appraiser is journalist
at West Chester. A General Appraiser Is III
the clothing business, having shops in Phlia-
dolphia and New-York One of the exam
liners is an apothecary at Downingtown. Inc
captain of the night-watch is Philadelphia
butcher, and one of the day inspectors keeps
hotel. To this we may add that the Col
lector is n nonresident (Which Is contrary 10
law). and the commission makes the 1ollow-
ing gentle remarks:
by law the Collector. Naval Onccr, surveyor AP-
praser aud Assistant Appraisers are required 10 reSue
at the port OF Philadelphia and though in some or the
cases above mentioned the resident officers appear %
have been able give proper attention to their ordinary
duties we admonished by recent events OF thc posi-
bitv of sudden emergency or unexpected PERIL
by fire or otherwise affecting the interests and property
OF the Government when the absence from the city OF
nearly all the chief officers might be embarrass-
ing and even disastrous II cannot have escaped atcn-
ton that the four chief officers OF the port were, without
exception, non residents when appointed. Without Civ
ing too much weight to the considerations OF ocaty or
intending any reflection the character or capacity OF
these gentlemen think that in general it ia advisable
10 have some representation of the locality In offices OF
such importance to its residents.
AS a matter of course, while so manv of the
important officers of the Custom House are
engaged in private business, and live at dis
lance from the posts to which they were APP
pointed as a reward for party services, there
are many complaints that the work OF the
Government is neglected, while the force at
the same time is largely in excess OF the
actual requirements of the service.
These disclosures will probably not be thought
especially scandalous, and, i'll fact, the condl-
ton OF the Philadelphia Custom House Is con-
sidered, as we said before, rather better than
that OF similar establishments elsewhere. But
this circumstance makes the report all the
more suggestive. If this is a fair specimen OF
the manner in which the revenue is collected
where the officers are generally decent men,
and the Collector has been for year and
half improving" his force, what must be the
system which leaves, after all, 50 much ground
for complaint, and what must be the condl-
ton of affairs in the establishments where
reform has not yet begunf In the face
of such facts it really seems absurd to COM
plain of the elimination of the Custom House
from politics. Whatever may be thought OF
the application of the Presidents order III Its
sweeping extent, and the unfortunate want OF
discrimination in devisiEg, and of judgment
in enforcing it, there can be no question that
when Mr.. Hayes set about abolishIng the sort
of Custom House Republicanism which pre-
walls in many of our large seaport cities, be
undertook work which deserves the applause
of all good men, and will ultimately earn the
gratitude of the Republican party.