New-York tribune., 1878-07-22
GENERAL MERRITT TAKES 0HARGE
THE CUSTOM HOUSE IN NEW HANDS.


THE CUSTOM HOUSE IN NEW HANDS
FORMAL TRANSFER OF THE COLLECToRsHIP DEP
UTY LYDECKER NOT REAPPoINTED-GRNERAL
CHARLES X. GRAHAM APPOINTED SURVEYOR
General Merritt, upon his return from Wash
ngton Saturday morning. sent for Deputy Collector
Lydeeker and informed him that 1t was not deemed
proper that de should be reapponed During the day
Collector Arthur kept busy receiving calls from
deputy collectors heads OF departments and other
ployes OF the Custom House who desired to express
their regrets his departure and wish him well In his
future undertakings lie stated that his chief regret in
leaving tho Custom House. over which he had exercised
control for seven years, in parting with the many
men 10 whom he had become sincerely attached. He
intends the practice Of the law on Parkplace
after few weeks rest in the country his first trip being
70 the Caiskills.
General Merritt placed DeputysurveyOr Benedict in
temporary control OF the Surveyors Office, at O'Clock,
and accompanied by william II. Stlweli. his private
secretary presented himself before Collector Arthur TO
whom he presented letter from Secretary Sherman,
requesting that the Office Of Collector be turned over to
the newly-apponted officer The meeting between the
two officers was exceedingly cordial After engaging
In private conversation at the Collectors DESK when
was Immediately surrendered TO General Merritt upon
his entrance TO the room General Arthur addresseda
few words Collector and introduced his deputy
collectors stating they the personal appointees
of the Collector their Official functions ceased with the
retirement from office OF their chiet
Collector Merritt responded: Having been desg-
mated by the President 10 the oceo Collector OF
the Port of New-YOrk enter upon its duties with
great deal Of reluctance and trepdaton The deputies
enter the service with me, and request you gentle
men, TO assist In the discharge Of my duties as truly
aud Loyalty as you have General Arthur. whom respect
very highly Then our administration will be a sue
cess, You will now. please, hold up your right hands
and take the oath OF Office. The following deputy col
ecors wero announced and sworn Ia by Collector Mer
ritt John j. Osborn. Third Dvison Richard WYnkOOp,
Fourth Diyson William A. Morris, Firth Division; Ben
amn =. WymaD, Sixth Division Dudley +. Phelps, Sew
enth Division; Samuel NJ Batchford, Eighth Division;
Nelson g. Williams. Merchant Entries in the Rotunda;
Knox MeAfee in the Rotunda Thomas G. Baker, Castle
| Garden
| General Arthur, I'm very feeling manner bade his
late deputy collectors farewell, at the time COM
pnmenting them upon the satisfactory manner In which
they had transacted their public business. The last
Official act General Arthur was the appointment Of
Colonel T. b. Thorpe, former weigher. 10 oleIkshp
In the seventh division. in place OF Leonidas Brown
After the transfer OF the office of Collector had been
completed Collector Merritt and his deputies went TO
the seizure room 10 druk parting glass Of wine with
| General Arthur Brief congratulatory speeches were
| made by Deputy Collector WynkOop Collector Merritt
| md General Arthur. Mr.. Phillips Will continue 20 act
as private secretary Collector Merritt for few days.
! when he be provided with clerkship. William
II. stnwol Is TO DO the permanent private secretary
John J. Osborn who was assigned 10 the Liquidation
Division recently presided over by Colonel ~ decker
cbgsetts ana Is sixty Ave years old His father
! SOuih-st. merchant Mr. Osborn entered tue C0stOn
depnty collector in lsI3 He succeeded Deputy COec-
Drs Augcs the Thrd DyisJ2 but was deprived OF
! the oice september last when the number OF deDu
General Nelson g. Williams, who was given charge of
the department previously ~ charge OF Mr. OSBORN Is
an old Custom House clerk, having been appointed AN
entry CLERK m 1869. In 1871 he was promoted to, be
Deputy Collector Of the Seventh Division, which office
! he retained until last year, wnen by reason Of a.
consolidation OF divisions as reeommended by the Jay
| Commission. he was given olerkship. General Will
liams was born IN Chenango County IN this state in
Academy before the completion Of bis OF studies,
! to enter into mercantile life. In 1861 he entered the
battle OF shiloh severely wounded, besides hav
ing his horse killed beneath him. For services IN the
coln and a short time lie was attached 10 the mill
/ tary stm Of General Grant
| GENERAL c. X. GRAHAM APPOINTED SURVEYOR
! The appointment by President Hayes OF General
| Charles X Graham as Surveyor Of the Port did not
create any marked impression at the Custom House,
having been anticipated. 1t was regarded emnenty
satisfactory to Collector Merritt and the general impress
sion prevailed that all the new appontees would work
! harmoniously.
| General Graham was born in 1924. and at an early
! age entered the United States Navy midsbpman.
He is tile OF David Graham, and brother of John
| Graham. both well-knOwn lawyers Soon after he en-
| tered the Navy declared VITA Mexico and his
weasel was ordered 10 the Gp Of Mexico. The young
mdshpman devoted himself 10 TIE study OF engineering,
close OF tnat war nc eugagcd III OuslnCSs
civil engineer. In 1857 he appointed Constructing
Engineer at tho Brooklyn Navy Yard where he supcr
intended the construction OF the landing and the
dry dock In 1861 ho resigned tO enter the volunteer
/ service. and with 400 navy yard employees who
| o,ued him, he Orgauized the Excelsior Guard
aud was elected It's major. ie ), was aherTard
! promoted 10 the rank OF colonel and brlzadler-
| general. lie was conspicuous tor his bravery
! ~ Cnancellorsve, aud when General Whpple was
wounded, lie was assigned 10 tle command OF the d
vision He was severely wounded at Gettysburg IN
1868 and was taken prisoner He refused 20 acc pt
parole, and sent 10 Richmond, where ne renalued
Tor sixty DAYS. when special exchange ot prisoners
was effected, aud General Graham returned 10 New
York He subsequently, reSnteIed tue service, and
General Buffers expedition IN 1861 General Graham
WAS the rst cdrry the National cOOrs up the
James River 1854 naval brigade took part In the
Fort FISHER expedition. In 1865 he was ordered 10 the
command OF delences OF Norfolk where Ee remained
until mustered out OF tile service \ brcyel-maj0F
general IN June, 1868 since the close or the war ne
las been civil engineer. He the engineer OF tho
Broadway Pavement Company and OF the Beach
Pneumatic Transit Company, aud he assisted IN making
humorous surveys for tGo Board OF Public Works and
tEo Commissioners OF Public Parks Among bis public
improvements the repavng OF Broadway from the
Battery 60 FUurteenthst lie was appOinteu Chef En-
gineer the DOCK Department In July, 1873 success
sOr OF General George b. Mcclellan, which position he
subsequently resigned.