New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-03
PRoyIDIyG PL4CES F0R STALWARTS.
fly TELEGRAPH TO THE TRmUNE.l

ny TELEGRAPH TO TIE Ihlb"''@''
WASHINGTON June 1.-The Dagget cohtfac'
having ended. the Custom House in New lork DC,
gins weighing dutiable goods with labor furnished
by the Government. Some interesting ngures
have been prepared here showing the difference Oh
cost under the Government system, and that under
which contractor furnishes the necessary labor.
In 1s72J73 2,743,391 tons were weighed, the cost
of the weighing department, including salaries oil
officers. etc. being $500. 3S7. or 30 cents ton
In 1S74-'75, 2, 194,O76 tons ighed' the cost
of the weighing department being $6lO64o, or 70
cents n ton. In 1S7Gl77, 2,154, 500 tons were
weighed tor S625. 49,, or oslo cents a ton. These
were Government years. There have been Jour
years of contract labor two of Splitter and two oil
Daggett In SpitzeTs two years, 1870 ~,
6Gl $50 tons were weighed, the cost Of the weigh
ing department including the sum paid to the con-
tractor. being 1894, 73j. OF 10 1-3 cents ton In
Daggcts two years, 1SsO'5l, 4,oo3'40f
tons were weighed, the cost of the
weighing department being $7S2,36l or
Is Clio cents a ton There was a reduction OF ex-
penses in the Weigher's Department Of about
SO 600 in 1873. but this does not detract much
from the force of the comparison, which shows that
the rate of cost under Dagget and Splitter was about
one-half Of that when the Government furnished
the labor Daggetts contract covered the year OF
enormous llupOitdilOuS VI Oiu AiOh NtS' - tAiN
Government had had as large amount
in each of the three periods of two years each that
are named as Daggett had in his two years the total
increased cost for the six years at the Governments
figures would have been Sl,S62.9O7
These figures are interesting showing the posi-
bilites of the Government system If the machine
politicians in New-YOrk City are to be allowed to
use it for patronage The Government ought to be
able. of course to do the work as cheaply a pri-
vate Derson but Government work Is not always
done in that way. A contractor keeps down ex-
penses to make money, and if a laborer Is not
worthy of his hire discharges him. But it is not
likely TO be long now before the Barney Blglins
and "Bobr McCords will be sending
their men " 20 ask for a place the rolls.
The fact that the contract was taken away from
Mr.. Dargett when he was III full control OF the
party organization in Brooklyn has puzzled some of
the politicians "A good deal. Mr.. Daggett has been
an An.i->tllwart and will doubtless continue TO be
so. but it supposed that the Admlnlsi ration
would endeay or to concllate mau Of his mi
right on the eve Of the campaign Tor Governor.
New-lork politician. gives TINS as
the explanation The notice that the contract
was to be withdrawn sent To Daggett about
April 20, before the Kings County Gener9l Com
mi tee had been completely ORGANIZED LOT the year;
The Administration managers had been persuaded
by some Brooklyn men, who were hostile 10 Dag
gett, that he would be defeated III me
organization. They thought II would look
well to take the contract away while he was
still supn sed 10 be influential. linen there
was also the strong pressure from French Wheeler,
Ofrien and McCorl, who said, when they were
told that 1t would do 20 take the contract away
from Daggett simply TO give II 10 them that II must
be taken away from Daggett anyhow: French,
Wheeler and the rest are anxious to get Foger out
of the Treasury They don't find him Secretary
tn their liking Tae notice finally
given, and soon after Daggett carried
everything before him in Brooklyn, Then
the managers were in q1andary. Inc oruef
could not be revoked without raising laugh, ana
French Wheeler and the rest were ready 10 make
trouble if it was done. 1t was nothing but blow
at man who opposed the reelection OF Conknng
and Platt q man who was not IN an Otce ana there
tore could he struck without making a scandal.
That is the whole story"
strOng protest presented 10 he President
and Secretary. signed BY both the United states
senators from Aew-York, and all the Republican
Congressnen except Mr. Camp.