New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-09

EXAMINATION OF CUSTOM HOUSES.
A BEGINNING TO BE MADE AT NEw-YoRK-IRREGU-
1,ErrIEs REPORTED IN The MANAGEMENT
HERE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUyEl
WASHINGTON, April SIN overhauling the GUS
tom-houses of the country for the purpose of i'm
proying their efficiency and reducing the expense of
collecting the revenue the institution at New York
will be one of the first examined. Some superficial
;nouiries in regard TO it have already been made,
and some verbal reports on its condition have been
spbmitted TO the proper officers of the Treasury.
These lead to the conclusion that there is much
ground for refOrm-mOre possibly than III any other
custom-house in the country except that at New
Orleans.
The examination thus far made is said to show
lax administration and general neglect on the part
of many of the officers in the New-YOrk Custom
house. The receipts from customs in 1872 were
Sl4S 100000. In 1874, they had fallen oil
TO SlOOOOO,OOO yet the expenditures during
the latter year had been increased by S3OOoOO over
those of 1872. 1t is also reported that while the
salaries paid to many of the principal sub
ordinates are quite large, those holding the
Offices themselves are III several cases law
yers engaged in the active practice of their
profession who do not allow their public duties to
interfere with their private occupations. The Col
lector himself is reported here to be connected with
n law firm, the business of which occupies much OF
his time so that lie is able TO do little more than
sign q few papers which are presented to HIM III
routine and to give instructions to politicians
This of itself is contrary to President Hayes's
announced policy that persons connected with the
public service should devote themselves TO that SER
vice. Another allegation is that one of the chief
deputy collectors pTacticing lawyer whoattends
regularly to cases in the courts, and goes to
the CustOm-hOuse only III the afternoon,
when his private business is concluded One OF
the appraisers also is reported to be practicing
lawyer, who frequently devotes the entire morning
TO his private business, leaving only small portion
of the day for the hearing of ACCOMPLISHMENTS Per
sonal friends of customs officers also reported to
have been IN the habit of receiving free permits for
removal Of goods from the Custom-hOuse without
the payment of duties
In this connection it is asserted that George Bliss
late Distrct-Attoney, has list Of clerks in the
Collectors office and in the Naval Once all OF whom
have been accused of having accepted considerable
snms of money from importers and brokers for what
are called extra services" but which payments in
point of fact are little better than brides. This list,
although brought 70 the attention of the Collector,
is not known TO have received any consideration.
There are no accusations against Collector Arthurs
personal integrity, ana no one suspects 'n"V Ho
is in collision with any Of the fraudulent trans
actions which are believed to have taken place.
1t may be said that during Gen. Bristow's
administration of the Treasury Department he had
a good opinion of Collector Arthur's management of
the Cusom-housc, although he believed that 1t ran
too much to politics for the good Of the public
service.
IL change should he made in this office in the
interest of reform il will not be until after q search
ing investigation of all the accusations above emu
merated; and then it will be in the interest OF a
thorough reorganization of the service there.