New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-02
CUSTOM HOUSE CHANGES.


OLD EMPLoYEs-THE NEW COLLECTORS POLICY
The keys of the Custom House were formally
handed to exJ udge Robertson, the new Collec-
tor of the Port, yesterday morning by General Mer-
rift. The transfer was made ~ the Custom iouse.
About 8 o'clock the deputy-cocctors aud heads OF
the departments began to assemble i'll the Collectors
private Office where General Merritt was busy at
his desk looking papers. half hour later the
new Collector walked brskly into the After
o short consultation with Judge Robertson General
Merritt advanced to q table in the middle of tho
room and made u brief address. He spoke with q
great deal of feeling especially when lie referred to
the calamity that had befal!en the President. His
remarks were as follows:
GENTLEMEN The time has arrived for the severance of
official relations. You will be reminded that when
assons1 the 1n,es OF ts ONCE u was under most pecu-
that naturally tended 70 heaancy in those peculiar per-
circumstance, might have existed started, however
Win ahe pGrpose 20 90 ne pest could and II have IN
almost say entireyto the industry, the Jealous per
fornanee of the duties OF those in charge Of the force of
the Custom HoIse. TO you, gentlemen deputies
feel under personal obligations and is due this
casou, officer to say that you have had my entire
confidence To the heads of departments in your alb
Your charge leave with nothing save the kndes feel
ings toward them, which hope extent re0p
This community is largely interested business
OF the New York Custom House, which by the c0ncentr
ton of business here has to be of tona mpor
lance Our relations are intimate with all the interior
portaion and the great lines of ships which cross the
Sefan hye svery 70 6eeye that at the pres
tenien who have had to deal more directly with those
port Of the business community feel greatly indebted
WhiG tins Is business establishment, and the transfer
ton cannot do it without sone feeling sadness that
those personal relations which grown up and
come strengthened during intercourse about
severed aud l cannot but feel personal interest and
would say one word further too, with regard TO the
toward the Custom House have always believed that
great public Institution like this should be conducted
TIC public also SO that they may be advised of whatever
in certain sense in review they have right to Know
what is being done in establishment affecting such
to Complain with regard the press In the zeal Of
have made criticisms that were not JUST but have
found that always after explanation il they found they
IN the Naval Office, Surveyors Office and Appraisers
and thorough work, and the heads of these deparets
are indebted to share also OF any credit that may have
cone TO me as the chief officer.
Aud now Mr. Robertson, it is my duty under the
c ss u s s 0 is S b t to
ago when 1t was expected that this change would
Dent was stricken down and can say without hesa-
ton that for that reason and for that alone, the last
happy however TO say That this cloud has silver lin
ing reports this morin;; warrant in believing that
the President Of choice viii be restored health and
ygor and that the Nation will be greatly benefited
hand this office with It's responsibilities and It's cares
freo IRON any very serious division here among the
merchants or otherwise in regard 10 it, Coming to this
once with your Ia ge public experience, with your
administration viii be successful. As a personal and
have no that o et Of and
1ay oe retained by you but the entire community, will
agree with me that there no consequence Of
change but that on the contrary the service many
dheren zee GSe Iae tendeaey is to
us % greater responsibility. In my transfer he
ONCE, and fan as may be able in the Position mn
TO occupy which though not directly with the
customs service, yet indirectly is will do what can
TO aid you in that particular branch of the
that may come before me III connection with your office.
All have 10 do is to deliver you keys OF this
Office and to transfer TO you the property with
say to you gentlemen that hope shall have your
YOU directly or indirectly Wish You to ee @ e fre e
TO ea qp3n me shall respond with great cheerfuness
position elsewhere, you must consider yourselves my
you and bid you good by.
AS the speaker ended no handed bunch of KEYS
to Collector Robertson, who was standing at his el-
bow. The latter bowed acknowledg onents, and re-
spOnded briefly as follows:
GENTLEMEN Owing 10 the lack Of some information
that expected this morning, shall only be able TO adj
minister the oath TO such deputies 1t is deemed i'm
the day will send for the residue. But before you go
may be in your power to do everything that possible
TO Keep up the efficiency of the administration this
my expeeted tna you should do SO, but shall insist
harm to the Government; that YOU will as far s
you cam that the rights and the interests of the Gov
rrTneut and of the merchants who business with
tGe government are thoroughly protected shall ex-
each Of you "''" 'n0 P"f' VI
Will call the OF those that mean to swear now
and in the course of hour will send rest OF Won
When these fornahties were concluded the oath of
Office administered by the Collector to the fol-
lowing officers: H. w. BelcheT. AUDITOR James TIof-
man, Cashier; Deputy Collectors I ID. Baich
special Deputy James A. Briggs, Third Division
Richard WynkOOp. Fourth; General Nelson G. Will
Jams, Fifth; Benjamin f. Wyman, Sixth: George
W. Palmer, Seventh William A. Jones. eighth
Many friends Of the new Cole tor paid their re-
spects to him in the course of the dav Among them
were state Senator Birdsall, of Long Island OK
Senators King and Lent, Assemblyman Waring of
Brooklyn, General James W. Hustled. ey-Congross-
man Fesseuden John l. Davenport, Thurlow Weed
E. ID. Marshall, j. Pi repont Edwards, British Vice
Consul General, John Sloane Odell Close and Cen
eraI kilbonrne Knox beautiful basket of flowers
was sent by Alexander Taylor jr., q near neghbor
OF the new Collector. In the middle of a bed of
white roses were the words Best Wishes" in for
get -rne-nots.
The only appointment which Collector Robertson
has made Is that of Joseph Barrett of Westchesicr
as ms private secretary. It is understood thai Mr.
Sweet, who has held the confidential relation
20 0cnefal Merritt Will remain at the Custom House
for few weeks until Mr. Barrett has become famii
lar with the duties of the position. Mr. Sweet will
not accompany General Merritt to London, but
VIII DC gwen position in the Custom House if he
desires to remain Referring 70 his probable poIev
IN the management OF the Custom House, Collector
=" In general, shall follow the excellent courso
THAI has been pursued by my predecessor / GER
tainly shall make no changes in the force until
have been satisfied by actual experiences Thai smch
changes would be for the benefit OF the public /
propose to conduct my Office business principles
efficiency, of the service have studied carefully
the methods which have been followed by
General Merritt, and they have produced good
results. L shall do nothing that in my Opin-
ion will tend to lower the standard of eff
Eclsney No promises of appointment have been
made by me, or by my authority, aud none will DE
made until have learned the needs of the service