New-York tribune., 1877-05-29

revolution, especially in the New-lork Custom
house. and knows that it will meet with opposition
from influential politicians; but he is determined,
at least, to try the experiment Of conducting the
business Of the Custom-houses on strictly business
principles and m this his efforts will be seconded by
those Of Secretary Sherman and the officers of the
department here. The order that assessments for
political purposes on officers or subordinates IS TO be
allowed will, it is expected, be rgidly enforced.
THE REPORT.
THE FORCE OF OFFICERS TOO LARGE.
CUsTOv-HoUsE, NEw-YoHK, May p, 1877.
SIR: In your letter Of the 23d Of April re-
questing us to make a thorough examination into the
conduct Of the business OF the NewYor Customhouse,
you specified the following among the first points to be
embraced in the examination:
"WAethcr tho force employed in the various
branches Of the customs service at NcwYork, including
the Naval Onlce Surveyors Once and the Appraisers
Department. is in excess OF the actual needs OF tho
service.
"The number OF hours theyarc employed ana whether
such hours be properly increased"
In response to this instruction the Commission respect
fuy report that With reference 90 the reduced business
o the Cu.tomhouse at The present timc and 20 the pro-
posed increase in the hours employed aud TO The PROPOSE
ton that the best I'm the service shall be retained
the force now employed in the Customholse the Naval
Cnce, ana the Surveyors Office, numbering together
1Ojs men-excudinsfor the present the Appraisers
Dopartment-uay DE safely reduced in numbers by
about 20 per cent For the general character Of the re-
duction which has presented itself 20 the Commission
they beg to refer to memorandum annexed marked a."
with the suggestion that the person or persons who may
De designated by thc department % reduce the force VIII
be required to give TO tie character OF the reductonn
each division a searching and minute consideration
than the Commission under your varied instructions
have been abo give to ts branch Of tie subject II
will be observed that TIE Commission propose lie aboli-
ton Of tie Office Of deputy colecorat-arre, which IS
now vacant and Office Of other deputy collectors and
acting deputies the suspension Of the Office Of deputy
collector at Jersey City COr he reasons mentioned IN
appendix marked a y. lhc continued vacancy IN tho
Office Of assistant collector, and the discharge Of deputy
surveyor.
They further report that the hours Of employment,
which commence nomnay at 9, but in practice gcner-
ally at 10 o'clock should be in al the departments from
o'clock TIL p. ~, excepting where longer term
Is prescribed by law.
Itseems not improbable that the investigation which
is stl continuing into other questions submitted by your
letter or subsequently referred to the Commission, or
raised by the complaints submitted may disclose Occa-
sion for further reduction OF the force, and such VIII
doubtless be the sOId measures De adopted By tho
department under the prcsnt law, or by Congress IN
future legislation for tho consolidation Of separate de-
The prupr,y OF tie ducton pa the force now foposcd
generally sustained by the Collector, Naval oicer' an9
Surveyor copies OF whose letters are appended nathcd
C. d. aud lJ, D. indicated BY The observation ~ me COM
whose opinions 70 afford guarantee tat WIN me
Increase Of hours and Wise ana ygoIou, aann sailon
10 Inconvenience 10 Tie Government Os 70 Ae NeIo's
can arise from It's adoption.
DEIINQUFNCIEs
The proposed reduction OF the force brings 20 yew, as
directly bearing upon the choice Of the officials TO be
retained some Of the points submitted % the Commits
sion They were ructcd 10 inquire "wcthcr any Of
the force now employed deficient in proper attention
10 business in business qualifications or integrity OF
character, and whether they are in any manner en-
ployed in other business The Commission were also
instructed to inquire "as 10 the manner IN which ap-
pontmeuts are made whether It eau De improved and
whether the appointments heretofore made have been
made on political influence without due regard TO
efficiency" The testimony taken thus far has been
LARGELY that Of officers Of the service, and the fact
tLat appointments made on political influence -
clear from the admission Of a number OF these
gentlemen. whose position would naturally indispose
them TO exagGerate the defects OF system which tie
Government they served had recognized and which they
had themselves beer called to administer With a
variance Of view to the results OF the system their
evidence makes plain that while tho correct principles
OF governmental MANAGEMENT have been Illustrated 10
some extent IN promotions FOR merit and 10 impoyement
in the terms OF service extending in 20 Is years
las exhibited in the Appendices L and G, submitted by
Mr. Collector Arthur. the appointments have been made
in great part under political ron rarty consd.
erations and With insufficient regard ~ the ntness Of
Whlc aiming to avoid course OF inquiry that might
seem Ia imulv individual GcilnQueiCr6,
than the biOad luQulty Indicated by TIC dodit-
mpnt INTO the general conduct OF the customs service,
Win view 10 such reforms might be found desirable
and practicable, the Commission report as tLtr cOncH-
sion from the evidence given aud nom their own OBJ
scryatOu that part " the force now empoled IN the
service are deficient ~ tie proper attention 10 business
,, well IS 10 business qualifications and integrity or
characters that OF them employed more or less
u private business TO the possible dctrmcut IN some
cases Of interests Of the service; auc tt some iftu
urnty accept moneys FOR services rendered ia teIr on
c.al capacity ..,.-
posed reduction Of the force should DO made u te Naf-
Gus divisions and classes after careful scrutiny aud
examination IN each division 80 such manner a. TIE Wig
dom OF the department may determine TO luc end mat
the Government may retain the mOss faithful ana eh-
cieut OF 10 present officials
POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS.
Under the existing system tho mcumbents Of ONCE in
the customs service, however high, responsible, DIM
cult may be tho duties. requiring often the sAll aud
perlence OF experts appointed generally the
oues OF politicians and political associations In this aud
other States with little examination into the fitness
OF tho appontees beyond the recommends OF their
friends The Commission, response tie questions
Of the department., pronounce this manner OF ap-
poutment 10 be unsound IN principle, dangerous
In practice, dcmoralzing in It's influence
al connected with tho service, ami calculated
to encourage and perpetuate official ignorance, tn-
efficiency. aud corruption which, peryerung the powers
Of the Government TO personal and party ends, have
buIdened the country with debt and taxes, and assisted
10 prostrate the trade and industry the nation Tho
Commission believe that there be no adequate pro-
service for the honor OF the Cow
the Oi Importers and the interests " Tho