New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-06
THE BALTIMORE CUSTOM HOUSE.


II must greve the friends of Civil Service Reform
with modern improvements TO learn that the recent
vindication of Mr. Collector Thomas, of the Baltl-
more Custom House, has not altogether allayed the
local political irritation in that city. When Mr..
Orlando Bump Mr.. G. Irving Ditty. and other
strict constructOnists of Executive Order No. /,
charged the Collector with manipulating primaries
and operating tho machinery of his office In the
interests of his political adherents, the Govern
ment of once appointed commission to investigate
this alleged high-handed disobedIence The com
mission devoted itself 10 the for several hours,
and then promptly teegraphod to the country that
the Baltimore Custom HOu3e was fairly wellerng
in reform; that it was conducted ngidly
on the prudent merchant" aud business
basis" theories, and that Dirty, Bump and the
rest wore a lot OF bumptious banditt who were ex-
asperated because they had been fooled in a con-
spiracy to capture all tho Federal offices IN Mary
land themselves when this verdict fell upon the
malcontents it knocked the breath out Of them for
time but they seem TO have caught their
wind again. and yesterdays dispatches assert
that the charges have been reiterated with vicious
determination to crowd them to another hearing
Now it occurs to people at tins distance from Bal
timore that IN the ease of Ar. Thomas it is hardly
fair to lay Judgment to the line and righteousness
10 the pummet with any oppressive exactitude No
body ever expected any energetic reform from
Mr. Thomas and it should initiate Messrs. Dirty and
Bump rs reformers, with grateful emotion to learn
that Mr. Thomas retains sufficient respect for
Executive Order No. TO deny that he has violated
it. II should be remembered that Mr.. Thomas was
not appointed because. in lns previous adminstra-
non Of the Custom House. he had labOrcd with an eye
single 10 collecting the most at the least
expense to the Government and with the least an
uoyance TO the merchants Of that city. Not that
he was an active embczzlcr, for he was relieved
by special resolution OF Congress from sui-
fering the penalties provided by law for some
workmanlike stealing which was carried on by his
subordinate, but he was never suspected of dis
tnrbing himself about collecting the revenue He
was known as a cheeky political manager, and he
was appointed by Mr.. Hayes because that consistent
and trustfnl Executive had been assured by Mr.
Ihomass hacker that he would electriiy
the State. And how can Mr. Thomas cleo
trfy the State 10 any advantage, If he sits In his
Office and attends 30 his businessl Boss eectri-
fer who takes no pains to connect bis wires sue
cessfully would be liable TO send current through
the wrong men. and deliver his shocks in the wrong
places.
IL is very plain that if Mr. Thomas cannot find
shelter under some one of the exceptions and
notifications OF Order No. 1. which have been pro-
nugated from time to time to mitigate the stress
Of the regulation when it bears down on the faith
full a special dspansaon ought to be issued ut once
in his favor. IL makes "a great difference whether
man IL collecting in Baltimore or New-Iork. and
whether be is running the machine in favor OF the
Pesidrnt or OF tie party at large.