New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-05
MR.. KETCHUM AND MR.. HOWARD.

IHE GENERAL APPRAISER ANSWERS THE AP-
PBAisER's CHARGES.
The charges made by Appraiser Howard against
General Appraiser A. Z. Ketchum, who has been
nominated by the President to succeed Mr.. Howard
were the subject of q good deal of comment
ia political circles yesterday. TRIBUNE reporter
called upon Mr. Ketchum at his office in the Ben
nett Building to ascertain what he had to say III
regard to the matter
IL do not desire to engage in any controversy
with Mr.. Howard" Mr. Ketchum said. 4" fur. her
than TO Tepel these aspeTslons which he has cast
upon my administration of the General Appraisers
Office lie says that have been paying out $4,000
pcr annum to relations and others who were render
ing the Government no sort of service. The
statement is entirely without foundation. lie
then goes on TO instance the case OF
Edward 5 Fowler who, he says. was removed from
the office OF the Appraiser for cause aud Immediate
ly put on the pay-rolls Of my office. Mr Fowler
was law clerk in the Appraisers ONCE, ana IL was
his business to prepare cases coming up IN the
United States courts aud to inform Us just when
they would DO called that we could
he ON hand with the Government witnesses
all of whom as "A rule. employed in the Public
stores building. 1t was 7ery useful office, but MI
Howard wanted to increase the salaries OF GER
tam flyortes the machine leaders III the CITY, SO
as to strengthen himself and he abolished
Mir. fowle's oihce In order 10 use otbe 1ne
Mr. Fowler was not removed Tor any, Cause
that | know Of | asked Secretary window
IN transfer him TO my Office To do the Same necesa'
nv work aud II was done at once. Mr. Fowler mas
NOT been IA Washing Oh tor more Than q year, ana
instead oil abulishing tho place which lie hOids the
salary ought 10 be increased. As to what Mr.
Howard SAYS about my brother there Is certainly no
foundation for that as | thinA, ON INQUIRY MI
Howard will himself admit"
The charge is made that you employ ton clerks
and n messenger where your predecessor, Judge
Hogrboom. employed only ono ciorA anu iho'''n
THE business of tho Office has greatly increased
since nv predecessor went out. Where there were
seventy cases of appeal to the General Appraiser
there are several hundred. There has
been great deal of complaint about the
lack of administrative capacity ~ the Appraisers
Office Of which 1T Is not necessary Tor Inc 10
speak" ,.,., A..
Civil Service rules which apply To your Office"
81 nave never heard that they applied 10 the
office The clerks there have never been classified
and they are so few In number and are required
for such special kind OF work, that 1t would seem
unnecessary to have them undergo all examination
different from the one L subject them TO- lney
ara all appointed the highest principles Oh ClFl
Service Reform. As to my relations 70 GeOrge
Bliss [ am not ashamed to be known as his friend,
because | believe hun 10 bo an honest man
and dealrous to elevate the Republican party IN
this city It is untrue that | have been acting
against tho Presidents lrcLds III thus Guy OF that
refused 10 support Mr.. Astor for Congress IN 1901
don't know that the President Is identihed with
any faction in tho city. i've IN the AAlltu ASSEM-
The Republicans who have been lighting BOSS nay
mond, and of that | ain not ashamed. AS 10 the
Treasury ring and other matters OF which Mt. HOW
ard speaks, know nothing"