New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-07


THE NETWORK CUSTOM HOUSE.
THE COLLECTOR. SURVEYOR AND NAVAL OFFICER
TO BIZ REMOVED WHEN THE SENATE MEETS
THE WORK OF REFORM TO BE PLACED IN NEw
HANps-NO ONE SELECTED YET
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Sept 6.-1he Cabinet has az length
reached definite conclusion point, at least,
in connection with the New-YorlS Custom House,
end that is that the interests Of the public service
demand a speedy change of the chief officers OF that
institution. The Jay Commission, in its several re-
ports recommended reforms SO sweeping in their ma
ture as almost to be revolutionary and il has always
been a serious question with the President and Sec
rotary of the Treasury whether those officers who
were identified with the old regime in the Custom
House. and were, to some extent at
least, responsible for it, could be trusted to
carry these recommendations into effect. Collector
Arthur Surveyor Sharp. and Naval Officer Cornell
would undoubtedly obey any direction which they
might receive from the Treasury Department but
they certainly could not have that interest which new
officers not identified WITH the old order of things,
might feel in the succession of reforms, aud III DEM
onsrating the system was a better one The Cab
met. therefore, voted unanimously to-day, that anew
Collector, Surveyor, and Naval Officer, should be
appointed, but decided also to postpone naming the
men until meeting of Congress. This action,
of course, dispOses of Naval Officer COrnelPs
case He will be allowed to remain in his
present position. whether he resigns his place
on the National and State Committees or nos
until the converting Of the Senate, and then
the name of his successor with those OF Gems. Arthur
and Sharpe, will be announced. Secretary sherman
will at an early day. write 10 these three gentlemen,
announcing to them the determination of the Cabi-
net to remove them. thus giving them full warning
a.. {, IL
whose term of Office expired several months ago. and
who had made an application, backed by pretty
strong political influence, for reappontment, has
written letter to the President, withdrawing from
the candidacy.
It's believed that the reason for postponing the
appointment of new Custom House officers is the
difficulty winch the President and the Secretary of
the Treasury have found in selecting proper persons
to fill these important positions. Many prominent
gentlemen from New-York, who have been in wash
ingtou during the past few months, have advised
the President strongly, 10 make these changes bat
when requested to name suitable persons to put
in the places of the present officers, they have al
most invariably declined 10 do so. The Presidents
desire is that the new Collector shall be some re-
tired merchant who is thoroughly acquainted with
the mercantile community Of New-lork, familiar
with commerce. and enjoys the confidence and re-
tie Custom House lie should. also. the President
thinks not have passed the prime of life, that be
will be able to give ms attention TO the duties of his
Office. and to carry successfully into effect reforms
proposed by the JAY Commission and by tie sccro-
tarv Of the Treasury. HE name OF no such gentle
man is now prominently mentioned, and there is
nothing upon which u base even conjecture
as to who he VIII be. Tic selection OF
4 new Surveyor, which was discussed at
considerable length at The Cabinet meeting on Tues
day, is, also by this action postponed until October
and there is nothing now to be said about il. The
two candidates, upon whose selection the Cabinet
has looked most fayombly are Gen. Merritt aud
Deputy Surveyor Benedict
The decision Of the Cabinet in the New-York Gus
tom House matter was officially announced mmedi-
atcly after adjournment and there has already been
considerable discussion of the political eff CT of this
action upon the New-York Republican Convention,
and the state canvass, which is TO follow it. Some
friends of the Administration think the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet, by this announcement, have
closed the mouths of the present Custom House
officers and friends, and destroyed any influence
which they might otherwise have eXertcd against
the policy Of the Administration. If these gentle
men and their friends show, in the Republican Con-
vention, a disposition TO criticise the Presidents
Southern or Civil Service policy, so it is argued,
the people will suspect them Of being influenced
by selfish considerations, and their complaints
will have less weight than otherwise On the other
hand another class of politicians seem TO think the
vote of the Cabinet to-day, shows an indspostion to
deal promptly and fearlessly with important and
troublesome questions that may arise and that it
will be accepted as only another evidence Of the
disposition of the Administration to be vacIatug.
and to avoid taking unpleasant responsibilities.