The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-03-06
THE CHANGE AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE

/. Hon. James B. Groome, the new Collector of
the Port of Baltimore, took charge of the Office on
Monday morning last. Col. Edwin II. Webster,
the retiring Collector, accompanied him to the
Custom House and gave him an insight into the
routine duties of the Office and also introduced
him to all the heads of departments and many of
the clerks and other employees Gov. Groome at
once settled down to business and during the day
received many callers, some of whom were seek
ing positions in the customs service. These latter
he informed that he had comparatively few places
at his disposal and told them that all positions
coming under the civil service law could only be
flloa hy those who had rrevinusly passed an ex-
animation, and that the present incumbents, who
were protected by the civil service rules, could
only be removed for cause. The new Collector
has given the public to understand that he pro-
pose. to observe this law to the letter and it can
not be doubted that he means what he says.
During the day Collector Groome sent to Wash
ton the nomination of exState Senator VIM. NJ.
Knight, of Cecil county, to be deputy collector in
place of Mr.. George NJ. McComas. Mr.. Henry R.
Torbert, special deputy under Col. Webster, will
remain some time, probably until the adjourn
ment of the Legislature, when it is believed he will
be succeeded by State Senator 7. Herbert Shr;ver,
of Carroll county. 1t is said that other APP
pointments will be made for the present
In the afternoon the customs officers held a
meeting and paaffa S ssEas Of a HfsaSOl k4G rsa
ment they had received at the hands of Col. Web
ster during his term of Office. These will be
handsomely engrossed and framed and presented
to him. committee was appointed to wait upon
Col Webster and request his presence. He soon
appeared and made most appropriate speech in
reply to the kindly sentiments expressed in the
resolutions, at the same time complimenting his
subordinates for their zeal and efficiency. Among
other things he said:
"In the discharge of your Official duties you
have given entire abstraction to me, and believe
to the business community and to the department
at Washington. don't pretend to say that the
force could not be improved, as everything can be
made better; but 1 do say that take the force and
compare it with any similar force and it cannot
be equaled in the United States. 1 have seen
manifest difference in the manner the public
duties were discharged since the civil service act
went into effect. l do not say that it has made
you more conscientious, nor do say it to embar-
rass my successor, nor with any Interior purpose,
but do say that the civil service act has had a
most beneficial effect far as the public service
is concerned. You have not been disturbed by
outside influence. I have always favored the
general principles of the civil service law as good
for the government" 100
Col. Webster retires from this position with the
entire confidence and respect of every one. He
was prompt, careful and conscientious officer and
the merchants and others who had business with
the Custom House commend his course in the ad-
ministration of the affairs of that Office.