The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-05-18
New York Custom House
Investigation.
How the Merchants are
Swindled.
The Custom House Demor-
allied by Political
Influence
Important Crisis in the
French Government.
The Cabinet Resign and a
New One is Chosen.
School Teacher Killed by a
Pupil.
Heavy Floods in Nebraska.
New York Custom House Investiga-

New York Custom House Investiga-
lion.
NEW YORK, May 1.-THE first wit
ness examined was Abram S. Hewitt. He
said: Some time in 10 or II, there was
great controversy about the lmporta-
tion Of steel to this country, and l was
appointed merchant appraiser to assist
the government appraiser, and | exam
ned titty.seven cases altogether. The
law allows merchant appraiser five
dollars a case for every case examined.
A few weeks after, gave check for
$285 to the Children's Aid Society, that
being the amount was entitled to-
Then / called on Mr.. Lydecker
in the Custom honse, and pre-
sented my certificate for fitty-seven
cases. He said that l was esttled to S35
only, at the rate of IS day. | said, 81
think not am entitled to S2S5." He
refused to give me more than $35. l
then told him that merchant had to de-
posit 800 case for each case examined,
and he replied, "Well, what OF it?" l
asked him il the money was turned into
the treasury, and he told me that il WAS
none OF my busir ess. then asked hum
who received the rest of the money
due to me, and be told me that it
was none of my business; that all
would get WAS $35. / said l intended
making it my business, as | thought |
was entitled to the money, and | asked
| him between whom the money WAS di-
vided. He replied, "When The persons
who are entitled to that money come
along, they will get it, and it is none OF
your business who they are" l asked
nim what Was done with the money. and
he replied, That is NY business" Flrd.
ing that could get no satisfaction out
OF MIN, turned to Mr.. Clinch and asked
about the matter. He said the rule of
the Custom House WAS Imperative; that
all l would receive was five dollars
lay, and not five dollars
case Ny next question to him was
us to what was done with the other
money collected from the merchant, and
he replied, in the same way as Lydecker.
l lett with the impression that it was my
business to further investigate the mat.
ter, and | wrote TO CT called on several
merchants Tor whom l had acted as sp-
praiser. l discovered that they had TO
put down ten dollars Tor each case and
that they never got back cent. asked
them why they did not demand back
the money as 1t was not II legal fee and
did not go into the treasury. They said,
"Why, me dear fellow, don't you see if
we went to look after or claim money
how unpless ant these fellows could make
things for US in the custom
house. We might as well retire from
business at once"
The Commission will re-exsmine
Lydecker on the merchant appraiser
fees in few DAYS
Colonel &. L. Hall testified that polti-
cal influence has demorslIzed the custom
house Incompetent and illiterate per-
sons are put into positions and kept there
by political influence, and fitness or quail.
fcstions are not necessary, No merchant
could hire such men as clerks.
A. b. Adams, of Troy, said; Was a
candidate for q position in the custom
house in 1872, and was ex-
amined by the Civil Service
Board. but was not appointed. he
was rated 70 to so per cent. in history,
geography and arithmetic, but only 40
per cent. in general aptitude" This
he afterwards learned meant political
influence, and the candidates rating high
| therein were appointed