Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1877-05-31
WASHINGTON.
PARTIAL REPORT OF THE CUSTOM
HOUSE COMMISSION.
HAYES and Sherman as Goody
Goody Statesmen.
The wicked Politicians Must Take
Back Seats.

New York Custom House. The COM
mission find that the force now em-
ployed in the custom house, naval Of
fice, and surveyors office numbering
altogether | ,03S, may be, safely reduced
in numbers by about twenty per cent.
The Commission propose the abolition
of the office OF Deputy Collector at
large, which is now vacant, and the of
ices OF other deputy collectors and
acting deputies. They further report
that the hours of employ which
practice generally at ten O'Clock,
should, in all the departments be from
9 A. NJ. till 4 P. NJ, excepting where
a longer term Ia prescribed by law.
Further reduction can he made, should
the measure be adopted by the Depart
ment under the present law, or by Con-
gress in future legislation, for the con-
solidation of the separate Departments,
or simplification of the general system.
The fact that rs the appointments are
made or political influence, it is clear
that the appointments have been made
in great part under the political pres.
sure from party considerations and with
insufficient regard to the fitness of APP
poin.ees. The Commission report as
their conclusion from the evidence
given, aud from their own observation,
that a part of the force now employed
in the service are deficient in proper
attention to business, a. well As in
business qualifications and Integrity of
character. A few Of them are employ
ed, more or less, i'm private business, TO
the possible detriment, i'll some cases,
of the interests of the service; and that
some fraudulently accept moneys for
services rendered in their official ca
pacity. The Commission think the
proposed reduction of the force
should be made in various divisions
and classes, after careful scrutiny and
examination in each division, in such
manner as the wisdom of the Depart
ment may determine, to the end that
the Government may retain the most
faithful and efficient of its present Off
Gals. Men are appointed to positions
requiring often skill and experience as
* perts, generally at the request of
politicians and political associations, in
this and other States, with little or no
examination into the fitness of ap.
pointees, beyond the recommendation
| of their friends. This is unsound in
principle, dangerous in practice, de-
moralizing in its influence and calcu-
lated to encourage and perpetuate ofi-
| cial ignorance, i~neftciency and corrup-
ton. There can be no adequate pro.
lection in the Customs Service for the
honor of the Government and the
| rights of importers and interests OF the
nation, until the service is freed from
the control of party, and organized Oh
q strictly business basis, with some
guarantees for efficiency, and finally
in the selection of chief and SUBJ
ordinate officers that would be
required by a prudent merchant.
| The result of inquiries in the appraisers
| office in reserved for a future report,
but it is stated that grave Irregularities
seem to exist. Appended to the report
are the following letters:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, May 26.
Sir: I beg leave to call your attention
to the accompanying partial report OF
the Commission appointed to examine
the Custom-house in New York, es-
pecially to that part relating to ap.
pointments upon political influence
without due regard to proficiency. AS
this involves questions Of general poll
cy which affect other departments of
your administration, l desire instruc-
ton as to the rules you wish adopted
on this subject matter, so that they
NAV be applied in the forms proposed
in the New York Custom house.
Respectfully yours.
To the President.
To this the President has replied as
follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, May 20.
My Dear Sir: l have read the partial
report of the Commission appointed to
examine the New York Cuslom-house.
l concur with the Commission in their
recommendations. 1t is my wish that
the collection OF the revenue shall be
free from partisan control and organ.
lied on a strictly business basis, with
the same guarantees for efficiency aud
fidelity in the selection Of the chief and
subordinate officers hat would be re-
quired by prudent merchant. Party
leaders should have no more influence
in the appointment than other equally
respectable citizens. No assessments
for political purposes on officers or
subordinates should be allowed; no
useless officer or employees should be
retained; no officer should be required
or permitted to take part in the manage
ment of political organizations, caucus
es, conventions or election campaigns.
Their right to ole and to express
their views on public questions either
orally or through the press is not de
MED; provided it does not interfere
with the discharge of their official du-
ties. Respectfully.
II. b. HAYES,
To Hon. John Sherman.
Secretary Sherman, in = letter to the
Commissioners, says: The reportis ap-
proved and . reduction Of 70 per cent.
will be made. The hours of employ
ment will be from ga. M. to 4 p. NJ. In
another letter the Secretary incloses
the report of tbs Commission to Coll
lector Arthur, aud says: The duty
of removing several Of the employees
will fall mainly ON the Collector, who
will see that the most efficient and
trustworthy officers are retained.
Those whose industry, integrity aud
good habits give guarantees for faith
ful services honestly rendered, % her
things being equal, will be preferred;
those will be preferred who sympa-