The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1877-06-14

EHOWINa WHAT is EXPECTED OF THE
CUBTOMHoUHE COMMISSION.
IN. o. Democrat


to the members of the Custom
house Investigating Commission :
CUsToMHoUsE, New Orleans, La. 4
Collectors Office, May 81, 1877. 4
Gen. T.. A. Sheldon and Col, F. b.
Hatch:
Gentlemen II have been in
strncted by the Secretary Of the
Treasury to have thorough ex-
animation made into the method
of business and the efficiency and
the character of the force employed
in the Office of Collector of Gus
toms at New Orleans. To accom-
plish this object ] have been au-
thorixed to appoint two persons to
net in conjunction with Gen. A
M. Barney, the special agent Of
the treasury, now on duty in this
department.
In the exercise of the authority
TINS vested in me i have sought
misrepresentation men of conceded
capacity and integrity, of ire
proachable antecedents, of en-
latged and liberal views. who are
familiar with the practical opera
ton of the revenue laws, and who
would inspire the confidence of
the commercial public. Added to
this ] think think that the two po-
iitical parties should be represent
ed in the proposed examination.
and ] am confident that this view
will accord with the policy and
wishes of the national administra-
ton
The position of one of you
Gen. Sheldon) AS an active and
distinguished member of The Com
mittee OF Commerce, when in Con-
gress, gave you an opportunity to
faniliarize yourself with the busi-
ness necessities of the Mississippi
Valley, and of the requirements OF
New Orleans. The former connec
tion of the other of yon (Col. |
Hatch) with this department as
Collector o. Customs, yonr intelli-
gent, faithful and efficient admin
istration of it's affairs, and your
acknowledged character for inieg-
rity, eminently fit yop to subserve
the interests of the country and
the wishes of the President, as
member of the proposed commits
sion. i have, therefore, selected
you as the two members who, with
Gen Barney, are to compose the
examining committee. 4
1t will be your duty to make a
thorongh examination of this office
IN its various departments; to sug-
gest any improvements that you
may deem necessary 10 the map
ner of conducting Its business !; to
ascertain where there are any ex-
jisting abuses or irregularities, and,
if any exist, to Indicate the map
ner in which they may be correct
ed /; to look into the practicability
OF diminishing the force now en-
ployed, aud of redueinsthe ipayin
any cases where 1T may appear to
be excessive; AMI, generally, to
make any suggestions tending to
the Improvement of the civil SER
vice, in accordance with the policy
of the Administration at Washing
ton.
In the prosecution of our inves-
tigaiion, i think it will not be I'M
wise to sector information outside
soi the officers aud employees of the
Cnstomhonse, aud to consult the
business men Of this city, and more
especially the merchants, whose
intelligence and sagacity have en-
abled them to study advantageous
~ the practical relations of this
Office TO the commerce of the
country.
10 aid you 10 the discharge of
your responsible duty, you will be-
supplied with the written detailed
instrnetions from the Treasury
Department, and with such in-
formation as may be derived from
the officers and employees under
my contrnl.
1t needless to add that Ishalli
be pleased TO confer with YOU
freely and ifreqnently during the