New-York tribune., 1877-09-18

THE NEW-YORK CUSTOM HOUSE.
INTERVIEW BETWEEN THH SECRETARY OF THE
TREASURY AND GEN. ARiHUR-THE COLLECTORS
REVIEW OF THE REPORTS OF The COMMISSION
Mr.. CORNEILs REVIEW.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO rHB 1RIBBSR.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.-Gen. Arthur arrived
here this morning and had interview of several hours
duration with the Secretary of the Treasury The con-
versstion had at the request OF the Secretary who
desired to ascertain Gen Arhurs uoOn the sub
ject matter Of the last two reports Of the jay Commits
sOn those relating the Weghers and to the Appraisers
Departments The Secretary of the Treasury has taken
action with respect these reports. The inter
not solicited the part Of Collector Arthur,
and he made his statements with manifest reluctance.
SO far can be ascertaned from Gen. Arthurs friends
tonight, the purpose of the interview with Sec.
Sherman was, in substance, this: The entire subject of
the investigation of the Jay Commission canvAssed
in detail Gen. Arthur claimed not 10 have any
special jurisdiction the Appraisers Department,
and little attention given to the report Of the jay
Commission upon that subject As to the report in ref
to the Weighers Department. Cen Arthur OF
the opinion that 1t would be impraccablc to carry II
out; that the system which the Commission proposed
would be more cumbersome and more expensive costing
at least 900 than the present one, without add
anything to the efficiency Of the service;
and that under the changes and gradations sug-
gested, frauds would be quite possible as
tions made by the Jay Commission. Gen. Arthur mp
proved OF many things which had been recommended,
buthe call the attention of the Secretary OF the Treas
uy tb fact, that IT worthy OF note that all the
important changes advised by hat Commission were
tong since proposed in writing by Collector Arthur
himself and were now upon the files OF the Treasury
Departments yet, Gen. Arthur stated with considerable
force wnlle his recommendations received no
attention, and not acted upon by the
former Administrations Of the Treasury Depart
mcnt, the report Of the Commission which
recommended essentially the reforms in the
service, proposed by Gen. Arthur had created sensa
tion. Collector Arthur did not complain Of the present
administration OF the Treasury Department for disFe
glrding hs recommendations they were made under
former Administrations. and probably were never
brought the notice of the present Secretary until TO-
day. Gen. Arthur practically claimed TO have originated
every suggestion OF any value which the JAY Commission
Lad made.
Gen Arthur said that he had fully co-operaed with the
Jay Commission the start and had fault to find
with any OF their recommendations except such his
long experience in the showed would be inrac-
cable and expensive; but he did complain somewhat Of
the course of procedure OF the Commission He thought
for instance, that It was unfair and unjust for the Cm
mission 10 take tue only two letters OF Inspectors that
were found in which liquor was demanded rom import
ers and 10 print them III the report as samples oi u-
mrIOu similar letters when had been found.
the On letters Of tnat character w1ch arr known
to be IL existence. such a proceeding, Gen. Arthur
maintained as dishonest as II WAS unfair. In the
matter OF the gsUeeTs, also eleven testified 10
ditOn Of fac,s and 10 different state Of affairs, yet
the Commission ignores the testimony Of the eleven
Others, none OF W ON were mpeached. Gen. Art ur
said that proceedings Of this not in accordance
win tue laws evidence with the simplest Justice.
The statement of Gen. Arthur evidently con-
siderable impression upon the Secretary o. the Treasury,
fOrcIUlr presentation O the Ottr side of
the Custom House question tHdn has yet been made here.
G ~. Arthur returned TO Ncw-YUrh tonight.
4. B. Cornell Naval Officer at NewYOTk, has written
letter here under date OF september II, which he
OPPOSES the report OF the jay Commission the
MclgueI's
interest the Government to make the changer sug-
gested by the report The present aggregate salaries
tnat Department is Sill 500 annual Tie proposed
increases this aggregate To $l2OOOO increase
Of - 800 per annum. 1nese changes, Mr. Cornell
THINKS, would be beneficial to the make
fraud less easy. although they would largely
the eXpensCs. Mr.. Cornell also recommends tBat the
salary OF Joseph Couch has been Special
Naval officer, be increased -, 200 $2,JOO and
tBat OF George Meeker from 81. 600 10 $500