The New York herald., 1878-10-04
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
APPRAISER DUrCHsR rEsTIFrns BEFORE MR
wooD-TnE INVESTIGATION ApJouRNED UN-

APPRAISER DUrcHsR rEsTIFIHs BEFORE Mr.
wooD-THE INVESTIGATION ADJOURNED uN.
TIL DECEMBER.
Tho Custom House Investigating Committee re.
sumed work yesterday at the Naval once, Mr. Wood,
as usual, being tho only member Of the committee
present Mr.. Siias B. Dutoher. tho Appraiser, was
called Tor the third time. Mr. Wood asked HIM
whether there had been any changes In his ofoe sf
Assistant Appraiser since his appoint mont and ha
replied that there had been three changes-one the
First, one IN tho Third ana the Fourth div.
sons; Mr. Alen the Assistant Appraiser Of the First
DIVISION was stricken with paralysis aud res. .nod,
and J. o Howard was appointed In his place; this
man Howard is tho party who wrote tho nfe
Of President Hayes. Mr. Wood asked she witt
ness II he had anything 10 do with nom-
no had nominatsc Howard Tor the position Of OK.
amlncr aud had opposed his appointments assistant
experience; he mad been the Custom House siy
months aud acted rs examiner Tor three mouths
oaIy. Mr. Du,chsr said Howard camc to him In the
nrst place with recon mendaton IRON Assistant
Secretary OF the Treasury McCormick. The wunoss
denied that Howard had ever told hun tnat not
expected TO do any WORK Mr.. Gibson, the assistant
appraiser IN the Inird DIVISION. dsnissea on me
2O.n OF February. the witness did not know what
iors there wcrc no formal charges, but oom plants
had been maae against him rns witness
did not consider that Gibson was discharged ON
account OF these complaints; was Impossible fop
human being TO please the governmsnt ana the
merchants all the time the mistakes made by Glib
fon were tfivihi WITNESS was Obliged 10 report
shem. but Gibson should not have been removed On
account OF them; he did not know far the Secrs.
ary OF the Treasury had taken those complaints int
consideration In ordering Gibson's discharge. Mr.
Wood asked the witness II Gibsou one Of the
best appraisers he had met and N he did not have
moro thorougn know edVe OF silk than any othor ard
Mr. butcher replied that Gi0son's Judgment
called iu question that he u good and efncisnS
officer aud very capable; Mr. Kent was appeinssd II
Gibson's place.
Mr.. Day. assistant appraiser In the Fourth dtyi>
sion, was dismissed according TO the wtnoss Tor rcas
sons known only 10 the Secretary Of the Ireasuryy
some slight complaints had been made against him. as
In the case OF GIBSON but Day was very efficient o.
Acsr.
Tho witness could suggest no changes or improve.
msnts In the present system Of opening and paokugt
he did not tnink II would be improved u the worh
done by coatrsct; an attcmpt had been made "a
the done by contract, but he had reported
against II; he thought the should be undsr the
control ofths Appraiser. Mr.. butcher submitted q
paper w,ns the total number Of invoices dvauc
IN the Appraisers Department from January l. 1873
10 September 80, 1873, Inclusive. to DO II, 0vd
In conclusion Mr. butcher said he had no furShss
suggestions TO offer to tho commitee, bat that hs
was preparing statement OF his views In regard "a
improvements, which ne with submit 70 the ommis-
tee At a iuture date.
Mr. Wood, to the astonsshmcnt or q. great many
then adjourned the committee to the Afst Wsdnes.
day IN December, to meet at Warrington. IL vac
expected that the Collector and Surveyor would be
recalled and tnat the bursau OF Inc SPECIAL aesnts
would be inquired into.