New-York tribune., 1885-07-11
'JEFFERSONIANS VISIT THE COLLECTOR.
ACTIVITY OF SURVEYOR BEATTIE-TURNING OUT A


CoLoRRD RKsTAURANr-KEEPER.
"Tlis has been statesmen's day at the Custom
House." SAID one of The officials yesterday, ana
half-iour's waiting of business man who wanted
payment Of duties acted upon by Collector Hedden,
c0nirrood the statement. The e Jehcrsonian pa
triots representing the county democracy ram
their respects 10 the new Collector aud in paren-
thesis to feel their way for some good friend OF
tie party" were numerous pIonIinemntIy among
Mitchell, who inquired about the duties! on
distilled spirits District Attorney r. B Mariine,
Reilly and Charles Reilly. As these patriots " had
not the honor of the Collectors acquaintance,
they were introduced by Surveyor Beattie. ;.
As the visitors left the Custom House it was
noticed that their conversation was animated, and
from what overheard one might Judge that the
Collector had told them all that there was no use
TO press candidates upon him, rs the Civil Service
rules interposed the direct appointment OF any
man. Besides, there were no vacancies. One OF
couple Of associates: .W hat is the use oil the man
making such excuses as that If he a man
who was wantin' to do anything, shure, couldn't
from gettn' rid OF the Rspublicansf Cause, is
iti shure all he's got to do is to ask thin TO re-
sign ani then if they didn't do it, suspend thin for
rid of them for cause Old loike to he Collector
for foiyc minutes. But he'll not be Collector only
till after election, and then well have somebody
else here"
A messenger was seen leaving the Custom House
with letter addressed Hon. III. q. thompson.
Personal" Ii was written on Government paper
ard inciosod in one of the large official penalty
ENVELOPES, which provides that any one using such
envelopes without the payment OF postage is liable
10 $500 fine. The question was also raised as TO
tie legal aud moral right of any one to
nee Government paper and envelope, and
the services of a messenger paid
from the public treasury for private or personal
service Among tho other callers who did not see
tbs Collector those who have filed their appli-
cations for appointments. They called. as one OF
them put it. to ask, "Do you think he made me
solid - Surveyor Beattie issued significant
order Yesterday, which some interpret as n move
10 n.aking vacancies amsng the inspectors. By
inouiring into their general knowledge of the
duties required and then suspending them for
irefiiciency. The Surveyor has been energetic III
fayuiliarzing himself with the necessities of the
service, and has sometimes abruptly presented
himself at the Barge Office at midnight and
at other odd times to assure him
self that there was no Sinking. As
10 complaints have been made, it is presumed that
eyory man was found at his post. lie has ordered
that beginning at 2 p. IN. to-day the night in
epectors as many as the convenience Of the service
will permit not TO exceed twenty III one day, shall
appear before him to answer such questions as may
be put to them.
Peter w. Downing, the colored man who has
kept small restaurant in the Custom House for
many years for the convenience OF the employees
and brokers, which has saved much time to the
Government, has been ordered to vacate his quar-
ters before August /.