Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-21
G0THAM'S CUSTOM HOUSE.
NO SENATORIAL INVESFIGA-
TION NECESSARY.

THE workings OF the ONCE Fully Set
Forth in a Volume Prepared Under the
direction of Secretary Manning and
His Predecessor-Reform to be sug-
Cested.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2O-Secretary
Manning, in conversation to-day, respect
ING the proposed examination by the SEN
ale INTO the working of the New York
custom house, said, that as the executive
officer. primarily responsible for the exc
cution of the tariff law, he should welcome
the cooperation of the committee of the
senate, if one be created to that end. He
said, however, that during nearly all the
present year an active inquiry into the
condition of the custom houses, had been
going on under the supervision of his i'm
mediate predecessor and himself. and that
the result of that inquiry is exhibited in
ayolume of 800 printed pages, which,
when examined by the Senators, will dis
close all the needed facts in regard to the
custom houses up to October, last, and
save the work of the examining committee.
AWARE OF NO DEFECTS.
If there had been detective admins
ration since then which had escaped
bis attention, he would be glad to
know of it. A resolution had been
Introduced in the House respecting
an Importation of glassware by
L. Lehman, which he said would be
promptly answered as soon as adopted
and sent to him. ANY other specific in
quirIes addressed to the department by
ather house would receive immediate and
thorough attention.
THE sECRETARY's IDEA.
Mr.. Manning remarked that he had in
his annual report to Congress described
msOwn idea of the collector OF customs at
any of the great ports, and he had dis
inctly intlmated his own conviction that
satisfactory execution OF the present
tariff law would severely test the best ei-
forts OF a staff of the best officers that the
country could supply. The point Of at
tack now, he said, is the appraising de-
partment, and tor obvious reasons he
should, he said, firmly and earnestly up
mold the conscientious conduct of those
officers against all cOmers.
THE DIFFICULTIES IN GOTHAM.
The Collector at New York, he said,
H was necessarily and naturally assailed by
i selfish interests, because in case of dis
agreement between two reappraisers his
decision is final. The Secretary had no
4 doubt that the Senate and country would
discriminate between the existing tariff
& s,stem, or rather the existing tariff chaos,
& created bv the law, and officers who ad-
Z minister that system of chaos. 1t will be
difficult enough TO execute the existing
& aw with the very best Of subordinates,
! and it would be his effort to efficiently use
< such Instruments as may be placed in his
& bands by the President and Senate, to
q whom the law had wisely confded the Sc
lection OF the chief customs officials.
Effect OF CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The civil service law has, Mr.. Manning
4 added, practically taken away from the
treasury department the selection of such
most important subOrdinates as exam
& rers, inspectors, weighers, gaugers and
measurers. The general appraisers and
la assistant appraisers are nominated
81 by the President aud confirmed by the
81 Senate.
Nr. Manning said that be expects soon
Nter The holidays to send to Congress a
81 sreclSi report on one branch of the GUS
g tom system and the project Of a law which,
adopted, will work therein needed re-
form.
FRIENDLINESS NECESSARY.
Tue secretary concluded by saying that
s vital to the public welfare that in
custom house matters there be concert Of
ocllon, good understanding and pleasant
oims between the Senate and head of the
treasury Department, and added: 81
saall do my utmost to promote his, and
snail not unduly intrude my party affilia-
IONS or party prejudices, which l never
Ileless hope I'D believe are reasonably
"a elrOnp -