New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-04
THE REMOVAL OF n. HOWARD
A SPICY TALK WITH THE APPRAISER.

KErCuUM.
! The nomination of General Appraiser A. P.
| Ketchum TO succeed James II. Howard ~ Appraiser
led 10 good deal OF talk and some little surprise In
political circles yesterday. 1t was understood that
the opposition which had been shown to the
appointment. of Mr.. Ketchum and the fact that his
removal had boon asked for by many OF the Presi-
dents former political friends, would interfere with
his prospects OF succeeding Mr. Howard. 1t was
rumored yesterday that this was the beginning OF
number of changes in Federal offices in this city,
and that M. w. Cooper's name would soon be
sent to the Senate to succeed Collector Robertson.
TRIBUNE repor'a called on Appraiser Howard
Yesterday to make some inquiries in regard to the
change in his Office.
81 had anticipated the possible appointment of
some personal friend of the President" said Mr.
Howard, such as NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Lydecker,
Deputy Collector Blatchford or even ex-Appraiser
butcher, but have boon again and again assured
that the appointment of Mr.. Ketchum was
not possible, because the President knew
of certain abuses existing in his office,
and knew that he had opposed the
regular political organization with which the Presi-
dent was identified, In some instances. knew that
the Presidents nearest political friends favored MIR.
Ketohums removal from his present position"
"Why dld they ask for his removalf"
"On the ground that it VIGOROUSLY known
that he was paying out about $4,000 per annuin on
his pay-rolls to relations and Others who were
rendering the Government no sort of service. The
case of Edward Fowler. discharged from the Office
of tho Appraiser for and put on the pay-rols
Of the General Appraiser, through the influence OF
the Upton-Lamphere Treasury ring, and the case OF
John j. Ketchum, brother of the General Appraiser,
| are cases IN point. Mr.. Ketchums brother Is
| practising dentist, who never comes near the de-
partncnt even for his monthly checks, as they are
sent to him, and Fowler draws $1,000 year from
| the Treasury and passes most Of his time IN Wash
ingon City dining Treasury clerks and lying about
| the Appraiser who removed him. Judge Hogeboom,
| the predecessor Of Mr. Ketchum. employed in the
| same Office clerk and one messenger, where now
there are ten clerks and messenger
"Did not the late Treasury Commission ihvesti-
| gate the General Appraisers Office"
| 1.-THE chairman Of the late Treasury Commission,
| H. B. James, being the head centre OF the Treasury
ring, instead of putting an end to
the $4,000 steal, recommended that
| 81 900 be added to it, Ex-Policeman Bracket,
who united with Mr.. Bliss and the Treasury ring in
pushing forward the candidacy of Ketchum. took
special pains to that the leak was not nyesti-
gated in his candidates Office"
| Have You any reason to believe that that Com
mission was appointed with any political object in
| viewT
"The Commission was named and organized
by Bli.s and Bracket to make Ketchum
Appraiser for the purpose of securing
the control of the 100000 of patronage
in the Appraisers office, in the interest OF Bliss
Ketchum and the Treasury ring"
"IIave you in any way incurred the hostility OF
| George BlissP
al have. About the time that Mr.. Bliss was
! insulting the Mayor of New-York City every
morning for three months he walked into my Office
| auu insted me. He appeared as counsel for IN inn
porter who had long been deirauding the Govern
ment 10y underwriting certain ores The valuation
| of these ores had been repeatedly advanced by my
expert of thirty years experience to meet market
values Mr. Bliss n behalf dro OF MS eens
| and wanted me TO override my subordnates, which
/ refused TO do He became insolent over the mat
ter and l called him a common scold and dubbed
him the triol-thrower-the accuracy of which lat;
ter Characterization he seemed to recognize and
soon left my Office"
What have been your relations with Secretary
"fFhie Secretary has been hostile to me from the
| lations with Mr.. Bliss. 1t is well
known that Mr. Folger and Mr.. Bliss occupy the
| same Office in Washington. l did not respond
TO the assessment circulars in his behalf TO the ex-
Have yorseyer refused to make any appoint
| ments requested by Judge FoleerP
"Quite recently refused absolutely to nominate
at his request, made in an Official letter
81 the u% 9 sSlSiee xhS n%d
Under the Jaw the Appraiser has the full and COM
pletc right and authority TO nominate examiners
department. As Mr. Folgers relative had passed
ten points below the minimum his nomination
would have been plain and papable violation OF
the Civil Service rules. As had
never violated these rules IN single instance IN
the judgment of those qualified to construe them,
| respectfully declined to do 80 in this case"
" Have these Civil Service regulations been OBJ
served IN Mr.. Kecthum's present office y
"Tney have Deen violated in that office every day
A.. for h
standing that Naval officer Burt. who drafted the
Civil Service rules. officially reported that these
General Appraisers office as TO my own.
This fact Is sufficient proof that the
alleged violations Of A. the ne, t rules Shord In
especially as all Tho rules and regulations have been
| openly and notoriouely disregarded IN the Sub
Treasury to which office they In express terms "p-
what about the alleged dissensiOns in your de-
Out of 27O suhordinates 1 have new
or known of more than ten that at
any time have manifested any other than the most
friend v feelings, and at the time oil proper
snbordination. wo OF the ten have long been can
ddates Tor my place; SIX OF them nave been expect
ing but have not Ieceysd promotion one trans hi.
will; and another l saved from removal by Secre-
tary Windom, although he may not DO aware Oh the
factD -
Have there ever been any complaints to you by
merchants and importers In regard to me ransdc-
ton OF the business III your Department.
| " None Whatever. On the contrary, scores OF I'M
norters have assured me that the business
M ore promptly satisfactorily done. They have
again and again said that what the
| Anpraiser's department most. needed was TO
| be let alone and kept out of politics. Merchants
have often said that the special agents oil the Treas
ury Department needed investigation most, as they
were the only causes OF friction between The tax
payers and tine Government" -
Nv hat has been your experience In puohc SCI
vice ~ -,
About ele ven years FIVE years in tho consular
service under Mr.. Lincoln, Ind I'VE ana hall In
| A. I'm Il
been twice promoted; have passed the United
state Senate three times by UNANIMOUS vote; IN
| years in journalism entered the customs branch
of service earlier than any officer in the Appraisers
department except one:"
"What DO you consider 70 Do the reai causc Va .no
| at,en,nt IN supergede you !"