New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-15
THE CUSTOM HOUSE CHANGES.
PLANS OF THE NEW COLLECTOR.

| BIANS VI 1dE NEW lOh'
! NO SWEEPING CHANGES AMONG EMPLoYEs con
TEMPLATED COLONEL BURT's BOND COM
PLETED - THE VACANT sURYEYORSHIP.
Secretary Sherman returned to Washington
Saturday morning. The Custom House suspensions
have ceased to create any unusual excitement among
employees and the public business transacted OF
| Saturday The same usual The new Collector Gen
eral Merritt passed most OF Saturday in the surveyors
| Office and entertained O large number OF persona
friends. Among the callers General Palmer, APP
praiser Of the Port number OF years ago. n. W. Bng
| ham, Special Treasury Agent at Boston, and
| number Of the late Customs Commission Gen
eral John A. Foster, and l.. Bradford Prince
who was rejected by the Senate for Naval officer
General Merritt expects to have his bond for 100000
completed to-day, and will qualify before Judge Choate
He has received many offers as bondsmen than he
can use and he prefers 10 mention the names OF
those selected until the bond completed. 1t is not
probable that General Merritt will take charge OF the
Collectors Office for several days II requiring some time
to prepare the papers, count the money and checks,
and 20 arrange the details Of the Office Gen
eral Merritt passed tho day yesterday with his
sister and other relatives at Greenpont He stated to
TRIBUNE reporter that he did not contemplate any
sweeping changes among the employees, and that
moyaIs and retenons would depend upon the necess-
ties OF the public and tho efficiency Of the clerks
The Custom House. he thought should be conducted on
the same general principles and with the regard 70
economy as any mercantile business. To accomplish
herence TO the laws and department orders from time TO
time and he should require every officer to perform DIS
duties precisely II he was employed by business
General Merritt has received information from any
OF The deputy collectors OF intention 10 resign 10 Is
believed that there will be TWO or three changes among
the deputies growing ont OF consolidation OF depart
ported on Saturday that Deputy Collector Lydecker
would not present himself to be sworn M ana that nc
would engage in Custom House brokerage business
Mr. Lydecker declined to discuss the matter or 10 state
what his action would be. IL ~ understood that
Vill "A
five instead OF seven as at present secretary sherman
to that effect expected soon after General Merritt
takes possession OF his office This reduction 1t Is
claimed, VIII make saving Of $4,000 year without
inhicting any injury TO the public service.
General Merrtts business hours as Collector win DO
business may require his attendance. HIS personal
friends assert that less than month he will so famil-
iarize himself with the dates OF the Office as To be able
satisfactorily all general inquiries without the
divisions. General Merritt, SAID one OF bis Intimate
acquaiDtances last night, viii personally De inc Col
iector OF the Port and while consulting with the heads
Of divisions ON matters OF pubic lmPortAnee' ne VIII
finally decide all vexod questions for himself lie does
the members OF the Republican party over the
changes, and he satisfied thar political con
Whatever changes may be necessary Will not De made
merely on political recommendations. General Merritt
lite and constantly in attendance. He has expressed
the belief that the great majority Of Republican, In the
publican press are satisfied with the changes and he
firmly convinced that the utmost harmony Will prevail
General Palmer said last evening thpd the Custom
House suspensions had created any rupture In the
Republican party, and he believed that there would DO
complete harmony at the Fall elections.
Colonel Burt mas completed his bond John o. Gray
and Daniel Gillette, NeWYotk lawyers, having qualified
in $4,000 each. The bond was approved by judge
Cnoatc on Saturday, and IL was promptly mailed 60
Washington. The commission Will issue at once and he
Will take charge OF the Naval Office tomorrow, pre-
viOusy arranged with Mr. Cornell.
In regard the vacant SuTyoyOrship the general i'm
preston IN the department Il that ~ soon rs General
Merritt has taken possession Of the CoectOrshp he will
be officially consulted Ia regard 10 his successor the OBJ
ect being 10 person for Surveyor who will be
in full accord with the Collectors severa.names
toned for the Office, among them Deputy Surveyor
Lake now IN charge OF the Welghers Department. and
l.. Bradford Prince.
General Arthur win continue TO discharge the duties OF
Collector until he Is given official notice OF the qualca
ton Of General Merritt He stil declines 60 discuss the
removal and OH Saturday he expressed satisfaction at
being speedily released from the OF public Office.