New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-27


NEW OFFICERS AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE
GENERAL GRAHAM ASSUMES THE sURvEYoRsHIP--
MANY APPLICATIONS FOR POSITIONS.
Collector Merritt received q large number OF
callers yesterday, among whom were General E. r.
Moves Surveyor Graham. General Daniel E. Sickles
Naval Oncer and Ex-Governor Newell OF New-Jer-
sey The only change at present contemplated by the
Collector is that private secretary which, 1t is un
derstood, will be announced on August i.
General Charles X. Graham presented his commits
sion yesterday morning, and assumed control
OF the Surveyors Department without for
mality He stated TO a TRIBUNE reporter that he had
policy and expected to make no changes He felt
certain that the force OF clerks which satisfaction
to General Merritt would faithfully perform the public
duties, and he should rAppon all of them. The only
appointment he viii make will be that Of j. T. Kene, as
private secretary General Graham states that Mr. Kene
had been in his employ civil engineer for fifteen
years, aud that he in every way qualified The frst
official act Of the Surveyor was the reappontment
OF Colonel Edward f. Burton as Deputy-suryeyor ana
James L. Benedict Auditor The other reappointmcnts
are Henry Lake. AssstantSurveyor in charge oil the
Weighers' Department, and Jacob Sharp, Assist
antsurveyOr, in charge Of the Barge ONCE.
The entire force under the personal control OF
the Surveyor consists of deputy, sixteen clerks
seven messengers and OF vessels Colo
mel Burton served Deputy for nearly nine
years, under A. b. Cornell, General Sharpe General
Merritt, and under General Graham In various
capacities he has been into the Custom House SER
vice over twenty times and he that he the most
sworn-in man in the Custom House" 1t Is rumofed
about the Custom House that there will be few
changes on August among the Inspectors attached 10
the Surveyors Department but no names nave YET Deen
mentioned.
Applications for positions in the Custom House have
poured In at the OF thirty day since General Mer
rift became Collector In numerous instances references
are made prominent public men who are supposed TO
have great Influence with the new COLLECTOR
one OF the persons most frequently referred 70
being absent from the country, and In no
case has he written letter of recommendation
In one letter received few days ego, the writer,
who resides in Brooklyn says am all alone IN TINS
cruel world and without friend, but at the same time
want to belong the good SIDE shall always trust IN
God, and 1 know that He will help me, and
/ honestly believe that He will bless the
one that helps me-" Another applicant writes
~ have been q prominent stump orator, and
during the recent Presidential campaign made over
sixty speeches for Mr. Hayes In the West have large
family and need work to buy bread" list has been
prepared of all applicants with their references ana re-
concentrations in most instances letters have been
sent explaining that no vacancies existt ana
that the petitions have been filed. In
few instances the applicants are deharred
from holding office by of previous discharge,
for cause. from the public seryce-a the facts being
recorded column reserved for remarks at the end OF
each name. Scores of personal applications Tor sa.
lions received daily to all OF which Collector Merritt
returns the stereotyped response, mo vacancies az
ufesent."