New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-23
81 TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUYE.I


CONGRESS.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUSE.I
WAsHIyGToN Jan. 22.-It Is stated at the
Treasury Department that the reasons which will
be assigned ior Appraiser Towards removal. in re-
sponse to the Senate Commerce Committees call
for information will cover various points, one of
them being that his removal unanimously
recommended by the commission which nyesti-
gated the New-York Custom House, and which con-
sisted of Messrs. james, Graves. Bracket and
Treloar There majority report
md a minority report but they agreed
in fayoring this change. Other points are That
charges that Howard had violated the Civil Service
rules were sustained on investigation by Captain
Bracket; that t. ere was lack OF harmony IN MS
own office and in his relations with the Depart
nent that his official conduc; was notorious ana
insincere. lie had Il habit OF recommending changes
NV chains OF staircases-the transfer of making
,oom for the transfer Of b. and that OF for the ap
Monument Of c. and SO The first appointment,
perbaps. would be one which Howard had wanted
made and the last enc which the department
favored. to get which he thought tine Department
would make all the rest.
The two instances of bad faith on which most
stress is laid were those of Edward Mayors and
Reuben IIoyt Mayors came into the service at the
time the pOlariscopc was adopted and was largely
instrumental in checking the underyaiuailon OF
snears. His health gave way and he received two
months leave with pay. Afterward he asked for
another leave which was granted with
ont nav aud substitute put in
ms place. Then Howard asked for another
leave for Mavers who had not asked 1t himself.
When he returned, as he did promptly, at the end
of the second leave, he found his place hlled and
Mr. Howard refused to let HIM back until he re-
ceiyed the most peTemptory orders from the Depart
,nent The case Of Reuben HOyt was one where it
q said that Howard tried to punish one OF his
subordinates whom he did not like, by transferring
him to another place with smaller salary Howard
recommended the transfer covering 1t up as usual
among other recommendations. and then made it
without waiting for the Departments approval
This was also undone, under pcremptory orders
from Washington
Some of Mr. Towards official correspondence on
file is OF n remarkable character. Last year. when
some of his appointments were under investigation
by Captain Brackett. he was evidently anxious te
get Naval Officer Burts support. He wrote Mr..
Burt personally. putting certain questions appar-
emily describing appointments he had made, and
asking whether they were not in accordance with
the Civil Service rules. He told him that by giving
"as strongly Affirmative answers to the aOoye
questions as your conscience Will permit, you III
render me the greatest possible service
Burt's reply was guarded, and his
Testimony before Captain Brackets commission
was very unsatisfactory to Mr. Howard, who wrote
reminding him that he had once asked HIM Illow-
ard TO appoint Que James Maloney without an eX-
animation, which would have been violation OF
the Civil Service rules; accusing him OF having
Joined the dung singers IN his testimony, saying
his two attitudes could not be reconclled. and con-
eludinC by saying: "PleaSe let me know whether
YOU think under the circumstances would be jus
tilted in quoting officially publicly your letter OF
1881 with the view of your testimony
against me OF 1857"
IN an official letter TO the Department
same time after Howard referred to Burt as "a
strict technical oOnstructionst of the Civil Service
,ues except when the appointment OF very par
t,o,Iar friend is concerned" This letter was sent
nv the Department to Mr.. Burt and Tor answer h'
retnrncd the two personal letters just mentioned.
perbans Mr.. Howard's most remarkable lcttel
vas written Oh the day after Mr.. Ketchum was
nominated, aud the two facts are probably related
II was directed to the Secretary OF the treasury
and was as follows:
transmit herewith for the information OF me Depart
rncnt the annual report OF Professor EDWARD snerer
chemist In charge of the Uuitcd states LaDOiatotJ "a
flis por Ia view OF the touchiugy asnine CHARACTER
of recent report alleged cOmniiss on Wnicn con
slned tiry minutes investigating the usefulness OF
HE Laboratory, II becomes my duty 10 FURNISH he He
psrtnent with the facts which The report wiz mah
t,own Tho great value Of the Laboratory 10 TINS ans
other ports has 30 often been e0needed DIV ME III. Is
LANES of your Department. that nothing but MS corrupt
connection with tie Old Upton lanpbere lfeagury rug
conld have caustd him to sign the report wicn pfacu
~caIiv ohcshes that bureau With the exception OF te
eiuoyal OF Sampler Edward Mayers an elDpSy VINO -
utterly worthless, and who Deng bfi'sn Suo'o'' ="