The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-28

longer in Office than any Of his predecessors-for
forty years-havins been first appointed December
n, 1871. During the period OF his service
his compensation nmounte 1 90 Sl55StO 80, detailed
statement of which is herewith transmitted. An
officer charged with the high duties of collector of
the Port of New York, and receiving such compen.
sation. ought properly 10 be held responsible for all
abuses that grew MP continued during his term OF
Once ana the existence OF suc abuses IS sumcieh..
If within his power to correct them. to justify his
removal.
ATTEMPT AT REFORM.
The President was strong of opinion, upon re-
ports of the Jay commission, that the public in.
terest demanded change in the leading officers of
execute the reforms proposed with Mr.. Arthur in
Office rather than stranger. The President acqui
esced to this view. but gradually it became evident
that neither Mr.. Arthur nor Mr.. Cornell were IN
sympathy with the recommendations or the COM
mission and could and did resist their fair
The President became entirely satisfied that 1t was
his duty to make change in both Offices but with
view of consulting the Senate this was postponed
when Mcssrs Roosevelt and Prince nom-
mated for the Office OF Collector ana Naval
officer. The Senate however deemed 1t best not to
confirm these nominations, aud without further
controversy any attempt desire to send to the
Senate other nominations Messrs. Arthur and Cornell
remained in their positions. brief experience
proved that any hope of carrying ont any re-
forms or changes in the mode or conducting busi-
ness would be abortive while the Collector held
his position. The same system the same persons.
the same influence prevailed as before. From the
nature of things it was difficult for Collector long
believe evil of any of Them Mr. Lydecker, the
Deputy Collector. was practically Collector
WANT OF PERSONAL ATTENTION.
General Arthur did not give that personal attention
to the business of the Office that would seem
to be necessary for the proper discharge of its
duties. He did not usually arrive at his Office
until afternoon Continued complaints came from
other ports of entry. that unconstitutional dis
ordinations were made IN favor of the port OF New
York by methods of conducting business at that
port that allowances for damage not permitted at
other ports were made that a system of under
ya1ua mac
portant branches of business were turned from their
usual course almost exclusively to the port of New
York. causing reduction of revenue and injustice
other ports and to the people of the United States
MEREDITH REPORT
respectfully call your attention to the report of
General Appraiser John i. Meredith and Special
Agents n. Bingham and b. H. Kinds. of date of July
H. 1878. copy OF which is herewith transmitted.
customs service, directed to examine into al
alleged Irregularities in the administration of the
Customs laws in the chief ports of the United States
and the general result of their examination at the
port of New York is disclosed in their report From
testimony taken and documents referred to by Them
all OF which will be placed at your service it would
appear that the system of frauds complained Of in
Guiding undervaluations. improper weights and
measures and illegal damage allowances was clearly
proven. These officers say in regard to Collector
Arthur
1t notice early in investigation that the
Collector rule, neglected 70 appear mt his Office until
midday after. 1t claimed by his Special Deputy Mr.
Iesns that he made up for his late arrivals at his Office by
after hours rG; DO not 81 regard
displayed in the presence Of large eSrs ."
ssins eIec, upon the n'orai, Of the oaice: and is
SS ws.I seSs Of s
ordinate officers are employed and where nearly 20 per
lected In this connection would respectfully call at
to Of Deputy ds
ea in relation t. n% ssn
s S % % fss sf %
fraud the government and after proofs Of such oca mis-
in Mr. Lydecker the most implicit confidence
him hi the to s
intelligent officials at the Custom House had long had
TO M s G h.a ssa
% we'll h as the S ' on
repeatedly referred TO IN an manner by the
of our Investigations at this port
A CHANGE DEMANDED.
II would also appear from special report made by
the officer. of the date Of June 25 1878 that Mr..
Lydecker, chief deputy. had been guilty of certain
neglect and fraudulent practices herein stated.
also enclose copy of report OF The date of May 2,
1873 made by Assistant Secretary French who is the
official head OF the customs service in this depart
ment and J. II. Robinson Assistant Solicitor OF the
Treasury relative to the abuses and irregularities
in the New York Custom House. These documents.
together with many detailed reports of officers of this
department. convinced me, after several months trial
and consideration. that without any arrangement OF
the personal character OF Collector Arthur and the
Naval Officer the public service demanded change in
| the incumbents Of these Offices.
NOMINATIONS
gress and after the experiment had been carefully
tried the President suspended these officers and APP
pointed General Merritt. Surveyor of the Port Col
lector. and Mr.. Burt as Naval Officer Mr.. Burt had
been for years practically Naval Officer and had
Quoted the business with fidelity and skill to
simply sneeure position, his real duties being dis
charged by his deputy, and Mr. Burt is now perform
ing the duties both of Naval Officer and those for
merly discharged by him AS Comptroller, the Inter
Office having been discontinued In the selection OF
nominees great care was taken to secure those
whose long experience and fidelity in public
service gave ample assurance for faithful
and constant discharge of their duties. General
Merritt was Naval Officer from April l. 1869 to A,i-
conducted He then recommended many reforms
that have since been adopted by him as Collector.
He received the cordial approval of George >. Bout-
well. Secretary Of the Treasury. lie was appointed
Surveyor of the Port December II, 1877,
and occupied that position seven months
during which time he reorganized the weigh,
ers' department in harmony with the
report Of the Jay Commission largely increasing the
efficiency the service and reducing the cost lie
corrected several OF the abuses pointed out in the
printed report OF the General Appraiser and enforced
increase of revenue. the result ON sugar alone
showing gain. to November ~. 1873 OF 3s6s,s2s
pounds which at the eas aySsr'gs rs
of $97 23s 70. and also proportionae gain
in weighing of many other articles. In these two
points alone there is demonstrated gain to the gov
ernment of s164,Oo0 for the period covered, being
equal to $245.636 10 per annum, while the results
obtained by higher condition of dis, disci.
OF weighers cannot be estimated. IL Is
manifest that during his incumbency Surveyor and
Collector. which latter position lie accepted with
luctance, general Improvement has taken place.
and the only evidence from any quarter Of dissais
faction to the manner in which the affairs of the
Custom House have been conducted arises from
those who complain of the strict enforcement of the
law.
The reduction Of force contemplated in the gaugcr's
department and in several divisions of the Custom
House have been FULLY carried into effect the result
of which will be large saving to the government
| in salaries alone.
INJURY PUBLIC SERVICE.
II is respectfully submitted that under the cir
| cumstanccs the restoration of Messrs. Arthur and
Cornell would be a serious injury to the public
service. involving loss Of public revenue and an
increased expenditure. II would establish constant
irritation and struggle between old abuses that
listed and reforms that sought to be accomplished
IL would destroy discipline of department. for after
all the Collector of Customs IL but subordinate of
| this department. and, though possessed of great
powers. do but little without the sanction Of the
Secretary but he may seriously obsrct the depart
| ment in the conduct of business according to its