The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-05-18
Custom House Inyestigation,

NEW YORK, May 1.-THE committee
appointed TO inquire into the Custom
House affairs, continued taking testimo-
ny to-day. After the usual private ses-
sion the commmitee Of the American silk
manufacturers, presented a long memori-
al, suggesting remedies for tie abuses
alleged to exist in handling, and the
valuations Of silks arising at this port
The remedy suggested was for the APP
pointment Of one or more appraisers,
who are experts in valuing silks, and
pay them good salary Of about $4,000
\ year. Some Of the more salient points
in the memorial are that by eyading Of
duty and undervaluation in invoices, the
government loses from three 10 ST, ,O0O,O0
a year; that many merchants have aban.
doned the importing business because
they can buy goods cheaper that have
been imported on undervaluations. The
remedies suggested by the memorial are,
proper means Of aScertaining market
values, Consular correction OF invoices,
special agents abroad to assist the Consuls,
a larger proportion Of packages to be
examined, upholding Of faithful and zeal.
Gus officers, and penalties to be inflicted
in all cases Of eyGding duties. The me.
mortal was read and the committee in.
formed that the matter would receive the
earliest attention Of the commission.
The first witness examined was Abram
S. Hewitt. He said some time in 1870 or
1871, there was great controversy
about the importation Of steel 10 this
country, and was appointed merchant
appraiser to assist the Government ap.
praiser, and ! examined 81 cases alto.
gether. The Law allows a merchant ap.
praiser S. a case for every case exam
ined. A few weeks after gave check
for S2S5 TO the Children's Aid Society,
that being the amount was entitled to.
l then called on Mr.. LydeCker, in the
Custom House, and presented my certili.
cate for 81 cases. He said wat entitled
to s55 only, at the rate Of S. per day.
said think not; am entitled to $2s5.
He refused to give but S35. l then told
him the merchant had to deposit $40 a
case for each ease examined, and he re-
piled, "Well, what Of it?n l asked him
ifthe money was turned into the treasu.
ry, and he told me that it was none OF my
business. ! then asked him who had
received the rest OF the money due me,
and he told me it was none Of my busi-
ness, and all could get was S35. l said
l intended making it my business, as
thought | was entitled to the money, and
l asked him between whom the money was
divided. He replied that when the persons
who are entitled to that money come
along they will get it, and it's none Of
your business who they are" asked
him what was done with the money, and
he replied "Thats my business" Find
ing that could get no satisfaction OF
him, / turned 10 Mr.. Clinch and asked
him about the matter. He said that the
rule OF the Custom House was impera-
tive that all l would receive was five dol
lars day, and not five dollars case.
My next question TO him was as TO what
was done with the other money collected
from merchants, and he replied in the
same way as Lydecker. l left with the
impression that il was my business to
further investigate the matter and wrote
to or called on several merchants for
who had acted as appraiser. | discov-
cred that they had 10 put $40 for each
case, and they. never got back cent.
asked them why they did not demand
back the money, as it was not legal fee,
and did not go into the Treasury, and
they said, "Why, my dear fellow, don't
you see il we went to look after or claim
money, how unpleasant these persons
could make things for us in the Custom
Honse-we might as well retire from
business at once"
The committee will re.examine Lydeck.
er on the merchant appraiser fees in few
days.
Col. G. Hall testified tha. political in
fueDce has demoralized the Custom
House. Incompetent persons are put
into positions and kept there by politi-
cal influence, and fitness or qualifications
are not necessary. No merchant would
hire such men as clerks.
A. B. Adams, Of Troy, said he was a
candidate for a position in the Custom
House in l772 and was examined by the
Civil Service Board, but was not appoint.
ed. He was rated 70 to 90 per cent in
history, geography and ARITHMETIC, but
only 40 per cent in general aptitude.
This he afterwards learned meant politi.
cal influence, and candidates rating higher
therein were appointed.