The New York herald., 1879-02-01
SUMMARY.

Decrease in force and expenses
1876 over 1875. .................. 81 179,076
Total decrease in force and ex-
penses in two years. 174 6,761
Increase in force and expenses
1877 over 1876. ...........-..... l46,OS6
Decrease in force and expenses,
1878 over 1917. l26 2oI,oH
CHARGES AGAINST THE wEIGHERs.
Mr. Arthur again refers to the charges made against
the weighers by the Jay Commission, and says that
in common fairness should not have omitted to
that 1.-THE truth of these charges is vigorously
denied by tho weighers in letter to me- (himl.
He further says that after the receipt of
the report of the Jay commission. delayed action
for many months. during which caused various
special examinations to be made 1t true that the
charges set out in the third report of the Jay CON-
mission against the weghers at the port of New York
were denied by twelve or the thirteen weighers in q
letter addressed to Collector Arthur 1t is also true
that !, subsequently, to the report Of that
into the charges against these officers. From
these examinations 1 have been convinced that
the charges have been substantially sustained. More
than thrty-ive of the weghers who signed the let
ter referred to have, in statements under their own
hands, now on file in the department. admitted the
taking of irregular fees and perquisites from mer-
chants for favors in the returns of weights. and
others made evasive statements Two of the weighers
indirectly state that the receipt of these fees
custom long established, known and approved by the
Collector and Surveyor of the Port.
THE SAVINGS on TARE.
In regard to the reforms mentioned by me as hav-
ing been instituted by Mr.. Merritt, while Surveyor
Mr.. Arthur says:-
To and the acting Collector should therefore
be ascrbed portion least of the credit for the saving
tho Secretary claims by taking actual tare.
On the 18th of June, 1878, Mr.. Merritt the Sur
veyor, addressed letter the subject of tare to
Mr. Arthur. then Collector from which extract the
following
The asccrtained and certified by the weigher
whether it is less than schedule and whether
II was not asked for by the inspector should be
basis of liquidation.
June o. 1878, Mr.. Arthur addressed the Secretary
to the same effect On this letter Mr.. Arthur claims
for himself the credit Of suggesting the reform
which have properly attributed to General Merritt
CHARGES AGAINST DEPUTY COLLECTOR.
Mr.. Arthur attempts to defend his deputy against
the charges contained in the report of the Meredith
commission by characterizing them ''stale, refer
ring to the fact that the transactions occurred ten
years ago. and that they We're Mt that tme and at sub
sequent times, investigated and found to be wholly
unfounded The evidence in relation to the
principal charge, and what is regarded most
conclusive and unanswerable, first brought to
the attention of the department by said report This
evidence consists of orders ISSUED by Mr.. Lydecker
that appeared upon the fraudulent entries and In
voices in his own hand and over his own signature
and is of such character when viewed in the light
of subsequent developments, to leave little room
for doubt to his completely in the transactions
1t is submitted that the statute Of limitations
which may operate bar to criminal prosecution
and enable guilty officer to escape the punish
ment Of the law, properly be urged for the pur
pose of securing his retention in Office
AS to Mr.. Arthur's criticism upon the retention of
Liquidatng Clerk Evans in office it is only necessary
to say that the only direct evidence duplicating him
in the transaction in question is contained in the af
fdavit of an acknowledged accomplce. 1t has also
been ascertaned that his action in the premises
in obedience to the positive command OF his official
superior.
Among the reports to this department. to which
attention called by Messrs. Meredith, Bingham
and Hnds in their report of July II, 1873 reflect
ing upon the official conduct of Special Deputy Col
1ector Lydecker, is report of special agent dated
March IL, 1876 in which described the following
First-A firm of theatrical managers in New York in
the value as 5000 These were passed free by Mr. Ly
cond-An actress, January 1875, imported silk and
velvet dresses which sent samples TO the Apprs
Oicc returned the of the
ap ~ to d S na.s BY srsr Of
qtsd TO entry frse OF duty ,ripsate invoice on hle
goods and the value given in the invoice the
10 S575 duty upon Which wonl@ MD, amopn. to $40
BY calling respectively for four and thr,een
be the oiceof the importer In January,
1870 when called upon to aecoaat for these
valuation OF the goods and in the absence of an ap:
prser return Mr. Lydecker ordered the account closed
IoMA dressmakor three Of merchandise
In 1873 which by order OF said Lydecker directly
to her store falsey describing Is as public store with
appraiser, invoice, report and classify 1t is
morally certain tina, the appraiser saw these goods
In the same report were recited three other cases
whore importaions by this dressmaker were treated
with SIMILAR or equally hasrant violation Of law.
1t has since to the knywledge of the depart
ment that these were selected by the special
agent as samples of large number of transactions
extending more than two years, where the same
facilities for fraud had been extended to the
person by the said Ly decker.
PERSONAL ATTENTION TO BUSINESS.
Mr.. Arthur admits that he did not sometimes
the Office ut the hour when by law it is open TO
public business. but intmates that the time after
office hours that he spent at the custom House was
offset. His presence after Office hours could be OF
little to the public. am advised by persons
tirely familiar with the subject that the time Of Mr.
Arthur when at the Custom House was often occu
pied with other than government matters that it
sometimes difficult for u merchant who was
dissatisfied with the ruling OF subordinate to OBJ
tain hearing. II is susceptible of proof
that he habituatly did not arrive there until after
noon. and was, therefore. absent during period
when his attendance necessary to the transaction
of public business. and this especially so after
successor.
The watchful care of collector al port of such i'm
portancc New York the action OF his sub
in their methods of doing business is at all
times mpcratvely necessary for the protection of the
III a which has come to light since the
retirement of Mr. Arthur IL has been shown that goods
upon which the duties amounted to Sl2O.OOO were
delivered to the parties without payment OF any
duties to the government and. in u suit TO recover
these duties 1t is claimed by the importers that the