New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-19
COLLECTOR MAGONES RECORD.
A MISERABLE BETRAYAL OF REFORM.
MORE POLITICS AND LESS EFFICIENCY TEAM IN
ANY ADMINISTRATION ron YEARS.

MORE POLITICS AND LESS EFFICIENCY TEAM IN
ANY ADMINISTRATIONS FOR YEARS.
70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: When General Arthur became collector OF the
Port in December, 1871, Republicans having been 10
mower over ten years. he found every head OF Import
ant departments a man appointed under Democratic
Administrations. C. p. ClInch, Assistant Coilector
was appointed under President Jackson. s. q. Ogden,
Auditor, was appointed under Tyler. W. d. hooin-
son, cashier, was appointed before 1910 James Hof-
man, assistant CASHIER Joseph Treloar, CHIEF clerk,
and James L. Benedict, Deputy Surveyor, were sp'
pointed under Pierce. Chief Deputy collector ~
decker was appointed about 1881 think under
Pierce. Every ono of these remained In Office.
Ogden died; Robinson died. Hoffman was promoted
to cashier ana died. Mr.. Clinch resigned on account
of old age, and Benedict after Arthur became Presi'
dent, was made Surveyor.
Every deputy OF Afthm's was promoted from the
ranks after long service except his law deputy, who
had served three years Assistant United States At
torney in charge of customs Every deputy OF
Collector Merritps had como up from the ranks after
long service except his law deputy, who had served
for years Appraiser Of the Port. Every deputy oil
Collector Robertson's except one csme up from tho
ranks. Not deputy active politician while
deputy.
Undsr Collector Magone every head oflcer with the
exception Of deputy had absolutely experience
upon appointment Nor Is there one Chief Clerk oil
Division who was not appointed as an oufsldor Al
most without exception the deputies and chief oies
are local politicians. Tho number Of both has been
largely increased. The work Of the Law Division.
performed satisfactorily heretofore By deputy for
period Of twenty years. successfully by Cornelius A.
Runklc; the late Solicitor Of tho Treasury,
f. G. Banheld; Stephen O. Clarke, Dudley
r.. Phelps, and General George ". Palmer,
is now divided up between three or four dop-
utles and chief clerks So through the Custom
House high-priced officials are multiplied. Mr.
thirty five years service. Men like Collectors Barney
Draper Fenton King, Grinneu, Arthur and Robertson
considered his daily counsel necessary and continually
drew on his exact knowledge Of Custom House mat
ters though they all surrounded with veteran
and pericnccd stan. Mr. Magone with his political
President Clevelands first acts to suppiant Sur
veyor Benedict by Mr.. Bcattie Benedict was nade
Deputy Surveyor by Surveyor John Cochrano, In
Pcrces time and was head deputy to every surveyor
til 1882 when President Arthur, Notwithstanding his
politfcs-though he was no politlcian-.promote him
10 DO head Of the office he had practically managed for
thirty years But President Arthur was a spokesman
and President Cleveland IS a rofOrmor.
mention these as few samples OF me reform
methods OF this administration. hundred Other In
stances could DO presented. 10 IS matter OF record
in by the secretary Of the Treasury that
in Arthurs tmo no appointments were made oSccpi
10 the least grade of cerkships, and there werc no
political rewards This Is true also of Morrt and Of
Robertson, except that the latter appointed q o;
Rockwell Deputy Collector This was sentimental
appointment, he was Mr. Garheid's near relative.
He was. Ibellevo exceedingly capable man, and Is
sill I'm the service. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Ncw-Yor,i, April IA, 1885.