New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-21
PROFESSOR JORDAN's CHARGES.

In public address delivered at Indianapolis
few weeks ago, Professor David =; Jordan OF ,le
Indiana University, stated that, on his return some
time last fall from trip 10 Europe, ne had pau
several gold coins TO digniicd Federal 3 sor
TO pass his trunks without examination. froleSSITs
Jordan has been asked several times 10 prove hi1
statement. Collector Robertson i'll a letter da!eu
January O. asked the name of the vessel IN VIM IN;
he arrived at this port and shortly ;ntcrest Of
Civil Service reform. which was the suhJect Oh TO-
fessor Jordan's lecture. No satisfactory anSw rt
was received, and on January - Collector ho"oi'
son wrote him the following letter:
Professor DAVID s. JORDAN, Indiana University Room
ACKNOWLEDGE tho receipt Of your letter OF the 80
inst further relative to the alleged bribery ny you Vi
customs officers AT this port In pubic address you
have assaied the integrity of attaches OF the customs
service without first bringing the matter to the attention
OF the proper officer You now remind me " OF the 'tl
Guilty of positively identifying man OF ordinary hpFel
ancc long time" I'm view of mis- reminder the
purpose of your allegation is not understood except
was 10 bring the service into contempt.
You suggest that the removal OF Que or more dlsoi
est ns pcctors would not help matters much ask you
how else the service 60 be rid of brbeakers than by
their aud how Is any removal TO De maze II par
home 10 the guilty As have already stated to
you will not retain unworthy persons. and 1t seems 10
me- t. identify the persons who received your coins
DO not insist upon your presence here for thal Pnr
be event o. your failure in this respect snal after
reasonable lapse OF time deem 1t proper TO make tnat
Nc,c-I ork Jan. %. 1882.
General Charles X. Graham, Surveyor of the Port
has sent to 1uR TRIBUNE copies OF his correspond
cuce with Professor Jordan. called forth
by the statement of the latter that the Gus
tom House inspectors at tins port eXiOrted Tl5
from a rarity of tourists under his charge to pass
the baggage of the party. The letter from RIO
fcSsor Jordan is substantially the same as the one
printed in luE 1PIBUVK yesterday 10 tins ten
cral Graham sent reply in which ne said that the
statements of the Professor as TO what occurred at
the time of the examination are so precise lhat IL
would apparently be an easy thing Tor hlln 10
recognize the persons who pracised the eNioItion
especially aS the Oil who were assigned 10 eN-
anime the baggage were men who II once seen
could be easily Identified on account OF their
peculIartcs. General Graham added that ne
would esteem il a favor if Professor jordan would
visit this CITY SO that he might have an OpQOItu-
nifty to confront all the inspectors who were on the
pier when the baggage was examined, ana III case
the Government refused to indemnify hun Tor ms
personal outlay General Graham SAID that he
would checriuly pay all the expenses As, accord
ing to Professor Jordan. the presentation was
in the nature of a gIauty and not bride. no evil
consequences to himself or Nj. Spangler pn case
his recollection vivid as That OF Professor
JOrdan coud arise in consequence OF the evidence
they might give. 49,,
The lat letter is from Charles II. Gilbert, of the
Indiana University stating that Professor Jordan
Is at present engaged in archaeological researches
at Galveston. Texas and IS not expected to return
to Bloomington before April /.