The New York herald., 1877-09-12
force in private business but tn. was denied by

force wore in private business but this denied by
opon their inquiry as 10 how appointments have
peen made and whether political Influence without
que regard TO efficiency. they answer
The heads oi departments have Ia soma cases ap-
pointed persons OF their own selection but
monty ther nominees havo been selected by others.
and most frequently bv members OF Congress aud
otner prominent politicians OF the dominant party
IL seems TO have been customary members OF Con.
gress, particularly, 10 claim the nominat,on m sucn
cases as sort OF Official privilege or perquiste aud
do control and make majority OF the appoiui m
though the Iorms oil law are, Of course observed
The heads OF departments certainly seem TO
understood H. ~ sort OF record is Kept IN which
certain appointments are set OF 10 the account ol
ccr,ain persons. The present Collector who has been
office about wear. aud who has within that tina
made number o appoittmonts, states they hsyo
been cheny oi his ssectop but that some cases
the claims Of politicians have been regarded. Ho
insists, however, that due regard efficiency has
always been preserved. The other heads also claim
this In their own caseA Tho Commission Is not sats
1ed however that any suitable examination into the
character qualifications OF political selections has
been made before appointment believes that they
have In general bcen taken 10 DO stated by the
claimants and that facts thus left 10 be- developed
BY sxperience after the appointment IN consequence
OF which changes have oometimes 70 DO made.
The commtec state that In all the charges brought
70 their attention officer at this port accused
Of receiving bribe, aud no evidence OF such or
fence received from any witncss with respect 10
the receipt oil grzluites, tho afdavts and testimony
others Of his force prior 70 January 1870 have bcea
aiready mentioned. Tho practice appears to have
ocen enectually broken Investigation that
time; but great should be taken that u be
vvcd as the temptation 10 and opportunities tor tho
commission OF the offence are greater, perhaps, 10
TINS department than elsewhere So far as the
evidence shows, there has been no practice OF
this kind in other departments, and nothing that
be fairly called instance or ts occurrence II the
heads Of departments known DO dstesmiued 10
cxtinguish the effect with their subordiuatss
will be Of the utmost value. but they must OF course,
be tree from eveu the appearance OF evil themselves
Ia conclusion It Is proper TO say that, while have
freely criticised, has been sceD, abuse
w. QlseV nd
be indicated by tho evidence, and also Whatever
seemed TO US obiectonabls in tho char
aster or conduct Of individuals and have
indicated the general and particular directions
Ia which VIC think Improvement is needed
conviction that, the whole, the condition 6f the
service at the present time is reasonably satisfactory
business community; that corruption Is apparently
unknown ana that the irregularities which have pre-.
vailed have sprung from loose construction OF the law
erroneous views OF duty that tho force a. to
character ard capacity OF very average; that
efficiently done; thA tho service in all branches has
been greatly improved within tho past year and
The tendency and tone OF ITS conduct Ut present is
generally healtnful and in the right direction.
The Committee intend 10 make q supplemental re
port.
The Secretary OF tho Treasury to-day addressed q
letter TO the members OF the Philadelphia Custom
House Commission In which he says
Permit me to return tho hearty thanks O! tho De-
par,ment for the manifest tunoss thorou ghness
OF the examination you have made and the great
labor you have bestowed oa the performance OF duty
that irksome at bosI Your general suggestions
meet my approval, aud IL will be my effort, after q
iull and detailed examination OF your spocinc recon-
mendatons, 10 carry effect rapidly possible
the great body OF those that fall within the power Of
this department. Where the law needs modifying IL
will DC my duty toisubmit tho proposed changes TO
Congress.
have no doubt the publication OF your report,
which ordered, will itself tend greatly remedy the
MINOR abuses pointed OUT tut their complete
ton must depend largely upon the industry atten
aud ndenty al tho leading officers, who Will
report tho nature danger OF tue abuses
occurred ia the Philadelphia Custom House, and
sure you II will DC the effort OF The department hold
th0m strictly to this duty. l VIII await with interest
your supplemental report. Worry respectfully,
JOHN SHERMAN Secretary.
MEETING OF LIFE INSURANCE POLICY HOLDERS.
The second meeting OF holders OF policies in the
various hfc insurance companies hold At the
Board oil Trade rooms last night where organiza-
lion for mutual projection was formed Another
meeting will be held to elect permanent officers II 10
proposed to have simhar organizations started all
large cities They Will be requested delegates
to convention to be held here during the winter
which some kind OF Law 10 protect the insured viii
DO drafted and Congress urged to pass II.
THE HATES OF DRAWBACK ON suGAn.
Tho Treasury Department has Instructed tho Col
lcctor of Customs Now York that tho rates Of
drawback liked by the circular of tho 9th not
apply TO cases whore the entries madc complete
and tho goods actually shipboard before tho
LIST OF October but that in old rates OF
drawback will be a. lowed. .ra raaesat