Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-01-28
The New York Custom House Ap-
POintneutS.
THE EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE SENATE.


The senate was in executive session more
than two hours yesterday afternoon, the time
being almost entirely occupied with the reading
of the papers in the New YORK custom-hoUSe
cases. which were made public by order Of the
Senate Mr.. Conkling intimated, though not
uneQulvOcally. that he intended 10 make no pro-
tracted fight over the natter. that the facts
were all before the Senate, and it rested with
the Senators to act according TO their own Iudg
ment OF what was right. Mr. Hoar. in a few re-
select his officials, and intimated TO the demo-
Gratis that II they did not sustain the executive
they would be going back on ime-honOred
democratic principles. Judge Thurman entered
motion that the debate on the nominations be
nuDl!c but no vote was reached On this. and
there was nothing 10 indicate the temper of the
senate In regard TO ii. Mr.. ConilEing, in behalf
CT the committee on commerce, reported ad-
Versely on the nominations OF Edwin A. Mer
litt. TO be collector OF customs. and SlaS W
Burt, 10 be naval officer ar New York and they
were placed on the calendar for action here
after. The nomination of Charles X. Graham
as surveyor OF customs was not reported back
from the committee.
GEN. ARTHrR'S LETTER
IN reply 10 that of Secretary sherman
denies in detail the several allegations
or Encouragement OF the affairs OF the
New York custom-house, preferred by the
the correspondence is that made by the Secre-
tary when he says: " A vicious practice has for
long time prevailed, of granting free permits
".
lie adds: The value OF goods thus Illegally de-
hVered free of duty amounted to a large sum
IN single instance the value was S53.000" In
regard TO this instance Gen. Arthur saws: THE
goods in question were diamonds taken from
this country to Europe by the mother OF Mr.
James Gordon Bennett, being part Of her per-
S0nal JeWelry. After her death they were
brought back by her son. Being the personal
effects Of an American dying abroad they were.
unGef an express provision of law. not liable to
duty. and were passed by means OF free per-
"a N mo prlK
eAacted duties, Gen. Arthur says that THE gov
efGment admittedly has in its possession a
large sum Illegally taken from merchants for
dutleS, ana that 1t is seeking in these cases to
avoid returning it, on the ground that the pro-
test against its Illegal action was not made i'm
lllne II there are any Illegal protests Oa file il
before took Office. The allegation thai there
are such faS been revived under every admins
trauoH for fifteen years past
TIE LETTER OF SECRETARY SHERMAN.
which is published along with that OF Gen. Ar
thur; says that in connection with the PreSi-
dent he had Instituted careful Investigations
INTO the different custom houses with a view to
general reform and economy in the revenue
system. Naturally especial attention was paid
TO the custom house in New York, where about
seventy per cent. OF duties on customs is col
!ecfed. 1t appeared that for series OF years
from 1872 receipts from customs at that port
had constantly diminished. while expenditures
had- with the exception OF but single year
steadily increased. The Jay commission. con-
an oncer OF the department of Justice, made
very fun and elaborate examination of the
methods OF business in the custom house at that
port. and their reports show great abuses II
appears from their first report that in May, 1871
there were in all, ,036 permanent employees in
the custom house, exclusive of the appraisers
department, and that this number could be-
safely reduced twenty per cent. This reduction
OF twenty per cent. was opposed by Collector
Arthur, Who stated that a reduction of more
than twelve per cent could not be made in dull
times without injury TO the efficiency of the
system and to the business Of the merchants
Notwithstanding this opposition the reduction
was substantially carried into effect by my Or
der, making an annual saving OF S236. .29S, and
increasing the efficiency of the service The
second report shows that it was common prac-
tice among entry clerks, WeigherS, gaUgeTS in
SpectOTS and StOrekeepeTS to receive from i'm
POI fcl5 and brokers irregular fees in nature OF
blibes. 1t does not appear that any effort vas
made by the collector, naval officer or surveyor
10 suppress ii. In conclusion the Secretary
SAYS: ''it would be unjust 10 the President and
personally embarrassing to me in discharge Of
my duties. TO have the Office OF collector Of Gus
toms at New York held by one who Will not per-
1cfm his duties according TO the general policy
or the department. General Artbur'S term OF
service expires December ID. 1873. AMI his resi- O.
ration would be but temporary even if the Pres
ldent should not avail himself OF his legal
power 10 send another name TO the Senate, or
Suspend him after adjournment OF the Senate.
The very marked success of the administration
Oh collector Merritt and Naval Officer BiIlt
would seem TO entite them to the recognition
OF >Ee senate and TO their continuation.