The New York herald., 1879-02-01

OeSK
and the accompanying long letter of Secretary sher
man, which had been received by the Vice President
o few minutes previously. The following are the
documents:--
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To THE SENATE
transmit herewith letter Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury in regard to the suspension Of the late Col
lector and Naval Officer of the port of New York. with
accompanying documents In addition thereto re-
spectfully submit the following observatons:-
The Custom House in New York collects more than
twothirds of all the customs Of the govern
ment It's administration is q matter not Of local in
terest merely but is of great importance the people
Of the whole country. For long period of time it
has been used to manage and control political affairs
The officers suspended by me are and for several
years have been engaged in the active personal man.
agemen of the party politics Of the city and State of
New York. The duties of the Offices held
by them have been regarded of subor-
dinate Importance to their partisan work. Their
Offices have been conducted part of the
political machinery undey their control. They have
1lde the Custom House centre Of partisan political
management. The Custom House should be bust
ness Office. 1t should be controlled business prin
ciples. General James, the Postmaster Of New York
city. writing on this subject. says
The Post Office is business institution and should
be run as SUCH 1t is my deliberate Judgment that I
md my subordinates do more for the party of
choice by giving the people of this city good
Ind efficient postal service than by controlling pr-
maries and debating nominations
The New York Custom House should be placed on
The same footing with the New York Post Office. But
under the suspended officers the Custom House
would be of the principal political agencies in
the State of New York To change this they profess
to believe. would be. in the language of Mr. Cornell
in his response "to surrender their personal and
political rights"
. Convinced that the people of New York and Of the
country generally, wish the New York Custom House
to be administered solely with view to the public in
terest. it is my purpose to do all in my power to in
troduce into this great Office the reforms which the
country desires. With my information Of the facts
In the case. and with deep of the responsible
obligation imposed upon by the constitution to
stake that the laws be faithfully executed"
regard it as my plain duty to suspend the officers in
question and to make the nominations now before
the Senate, in order that this important Office may
be honestly and efficiently administered.
r. b. HAYES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION Jan. 81, 1879.
LETTER OF SECRETARY SHERMAN.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, JAM 81 1879.
The letter of Mr. c. A. Arthur, late Collector of
Customs at New York, of the date of the 2st inst.
mittee Commerce of the Senate, first seen by
me in the New York Tribune of the 2sth inst.
acted upon by the committee caused to be deliv-
cred to the chairman request for a copy
Of 1t, to enable the department to verify any
statement In its letter of the 18th inst which might
be disputed by Mr.. Arthur and to present such
answer to his allegations would place the whole
case before the committed. To this request
swer was made, and am not advised whether il was
mmuncated to the committee. IL s to be pre-
sumed that this was not DONE for it appears by the
fba acfed f1la
nominations beforean opportunity had been given to
the department to establish the reasons stated by it
for the suspension of Mr.. Arthur.
CHARGES REITERATED.
now repeat that all the allegations stated in the
letter o, nd dne sh asi s arc o
verify them If is the pleasure of the Senate to give
the opportunity Mr.. Arthur thinks that If the de-
partnent letter of the 10Th contains ali that be
said against his administration of the Office OF coec
ector. his suspension is directly contrary to all the
professions of administration and violation Of
every principle of justice. This is matter Of opn
ion as to what constitutes just of removal. IT,
to secure the removal Of officer it is necessary to
establish the actual commission OF crime by proofs
demanded in court Of justice then it is clear that
the case against Mr.. Arthur is not made out, espe-
Cialy IL his answer is held to be conclusive without
reference to the proofs on the public records and
tondered to the Committee of the Senate. But
movsi Of Mr. Arthur is " seien to 'rs reasoS
ably establish that gross abuses or administration
have continued and increased during his ncumbency
that many persons have been regularly paid on
his rolls who rendered little no service; that the
expenses of his Office have increased while coec-
tions have been diminishing; that bribes or gratui
tics In the nature OF brides have been received by his
subordinates in several branches of the Custom
met his support. and that he has not given to the
duties of the Office the requisite diligence and atten
ton. then 1t is submitted that the made
This form of proof the department is prepared to
submit. His carefully prepared answer may put in
issue of the allegations of the department. but
II so the importance of the case well Me de-
ands of the public service require that the actual
truth Of these allegations be ascertained by full
vestgation of the facts.
MODE OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS
That the mode of conducting public business in
the Custom House in New York during the entire
administration of Mr.. Arthur as Collector was sub
ject grave criticism is hardly matter of dispute.
The developments made by the committee Of tho
Senate in 1874 of which the Hon. Mr.. buckingham
was chairman excited the attention OF the country
The abuses which sprung out of the moicty system
fully disclosed by the examination and dis
cussion that preceded the passage OF the AntiMocty
act In 1874. Numerous reports of special agents
called the attention of the department TO existing ir
lowed the repeal l Of large and productive
taxes. and the diminution of the revenue from
other eau es, though controvertcd to some extent.
nre matters OF public history and are shown by the
public records in The possession of the Senate. Mr.
Arthur himself claims credit for attempts to bring
about reforms, and admits that at the beginning OF
this administration there was a necessity for very
large reduction OF expenses. Kindred abuses which
IT, was & believed ~ ~ had crept into the public service
tion OF the methods Of conducting the customs busi
ness OF the cities of the United States The Jay Com
mission was organized to conduct such examination
Ut the port of New York.
THE JAY COMMISSION
MIR. Arthur complains of the personnel of this COM
mission ana the manner of pursuing its inquiries.
II appears from the correspondence with Mr.. Arthur
that he both personally and by letter consulted
to the persons composing this commission. He camo
to Washington on tho 18th Of April 1877, and was
fully advised OF tho object of tho investigation. lie
was authorized to ana did confer with each member
Of this commission, and selected Mr.. 1urnure as
of them. II the desire of tho Treasury De-
partmcnt that the Hon. John A. Dix. formerly Naval
officer, should be the chairman of the commission,
accept that position, but tho dangerous III
ness Of his son prevented him from ac-
ccptng. Mr.. Arthur then tendcred tho position
90 Mr. Royal Phelps Of New York. but he too de-
clined- Then. with the concurrence of Mr.. Arthur.
Hr. Jsy was named by the department. ~ chairman,