New-York tribune., 1877-09-01

INSPECTORS DETECTED IN FAvORIIIsM AND EX-
ToeuoN-NAvAL OFFICER CoREELI-rHE QUEs-
TON OF REORGANIZATION TO BE DISPOSED OF
SOON.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNRl
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31.-Repeated complaints
have been received at the Treasury Department
from passengers arriving in New-York from abroad
that great favortism was shown to certain persons
in the examination of their personal baggage, while
the trunks Of others were subjected to the most
rigid inspection, and duties IN excess of those
quired by law sometimes levied upon their
contents So frequent were these reports that the
Secretary of the Treasury sent special agent to
New-York to make secret investigation. The re-
suit of his inquiry the discovery that at
least six inspectors of passengers, baggage
have been guilty of the offences they were
accused of, or had accepted brbes for the passage
Of baggage without examination. The report Of the
agent gives many examples of this kind of favorit-
ism. For instance, gentleman with his wife, two
children and two servants, landed at New-York,
bringing with them twenty trunks, containing
large quantities of baggage, much Of which was by
law subject to duty. Not single one of these
trunks was opened, and not a cent Of duty was col
lected. Two ladies' who arrived at about the same
time with only four or five trunks, required to
pay $1,000 articles some of which are
not 10 nave Deen 10 uiiby
under the law. In no case discovered was
the bribe received large but in many instances the
inspectors were paid $40, $25 and $50, and such
instances no duty was imposed on the baggage owned
by passengers who paid it. Orders will be imme-
diatey issued for the removal Of these six inspect
ors. Two of them have already telegraphed to the
Secretary Of the Treasury, indicating desire to re-
sign, but it is believed that designations will be
accepted as it is the intention of the Secretary of
the Treasury to make an example of those who have
been guilty of these irregular practices. IL re-
marked at the Treasury Department to-day that no
information had been received tending to show that
the inspectors guilty of this criminal fayoritsm had
been acting under orders from superior officers, and
~no communications from any of them defending
their course have been received
Chief of Special Treasury Agents Tingle, went to
New-York last night, for the purpose of examining
into the "charges and commission" cases which
have been under consideration by the Secretary of
the Treasury for some time These cases consist Of
the claims of merchants for duties illegally exacted
many years ago, and for which judgments against
the United States have been obtained The greater
portion Of these claims have already been paid, but
their liquidation suspended by Secretary Sher-
man some time ago. Special Agent Tingies report
will probably be made the ground Of future action
on the part Of the Secretary.
The ports of serious misunderstanding between
the President and Naval Officer Cornell on account
of the latters neglect to resign either his position in
the Custom House or his place on the National and
State Republican Committees are. to say the least,
premature. Mr. Cornell has had no official commu-
nication either with the President with the Sec
retary of the Treasury upon the subject: but it is
understood that in private letters written to friends
in this city and shown to the President he has dis
claimed any intention of making issue with the
President on the subject Of his civil service order
The opinion that some tacit understanding exists
between the President and Mr.. Cornell prevails
among those in Washington best informed on the
subject aud it is believed that if no general over
hauling of the Custom House is made before the
New-York Republican State Convention meets and
Mr. Cornell at that time still remains in the Naval
Office he will after calling the State Convention TO
order tender to it his resignation Chairman of the
State Committee. In any event members of the
Administration who certainly ought to know, ex-
press the belief that controversy will arise be-
tween the President the Secretary Of the Treasury
and Cornell over the civil service order. The re-
port current on the streets here this afternoon, and
published in The EUeiiag Star, that the order for
Cornels suspension was given by the Cabinet TO-
day, is untrue
TIE reorganization of the New-YOsk Custom
House. and the appointment of new men to the most
important positions in t-such those of Collecto
Surveyor and Naval Oficer-was incidentally meu-
TONED in the Cabinet meeting to-day; but its formal
consideration was postponed until next week, in
order that it may be discussed in the presence Of
Secretary Evarts, who is expected to return on
Monday or Tuesday. 1t is at least certain that no
conclusion has yet been reached by the President
and his Cabinet on this subject; but there is now
every indication that it will be disposed OF before
the President starts on his Western and Southern
tour. either by request to the prominent officers OF
the New-York Gu tom House to tender their reslgna-
TONS OF decsion TO allow all of them except sur
veyor Sharpe, who term of ONCE mas eNplreu' 10
rnrnnin until after the meeting of Congress.