New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-25
A SUGGESTION TO THE NEW COLLECTOR
PUT THE OLD CUSTOMS BUREAU AT CASTLE

PUT THE OLD CUSTOMS BUREAU AT CASTLE
GARDEN IN CHARGE OF ITS FORMER CHIEF.
TO Me Ed (tor OF Fhs Trfbune.
Sir: Among many acts OF injustice done by the
last Administration which the possibility Of recthca-
ton by President Harrison makes 1t worth While
to discuss the change made In the Office formerly
known tho Customs Bureau at Castle Garden.
Tho once IS important more as check to the use
Of immigrants as agents for smuggling goods than
for the amount Of revenue collected. II also calls
for nice discrimination In levyng duties on the goods
brought IN by immigrants, rs the law Intends that
anything brought by them to aid in making
living shall not DO liable to duty. Tho ONCE was
thought worthy of the dignity and rank OF Bureau
from tho time It organized by Secretary Boutwell,
and Collector Gnnel IN 1870, until the last Secretary
OF tho Treasury changed It to an entry clerkship IN
August 1887 and to simple clerkship in May,
1888. The salary has not been reduced. The evil
dent purpose Of the change OF grade to cierRship
was to allow tho Democratic incumbent to DO changed
10 another clerlship without Civil Service examlna-
uon he having been entire novice In Custom HOUSE
business when appointed The change, 1t was thought
might also lead to the office being Included In inc
classified Civil Service thus throwing an important
and responsible position out of the list to be directly
filed by now Collector, whiIo leaving It open to
competition by the present majority OF Democratic
Clerks Tho oflco was graded under the Republican
Administration as an Acting Deputy CoLeotorshp,
which was consistent with its responsibility as place
of reception Of revenue When It was created those
In power advised that its head should be humane
upright Christian gentleman"
The post was held by Henry s. Crandall from
June, 1850, TO June 90, 1886, when he was no
moved by Collector Hedden, without any charges
being made or reasons gwen. Mr.. Crandalps
experience in Custom House business had qualified
him for the position, possessing, as he did, run
knowledge OF the tariff and the various decisions
OF the Treasury Department, as well as the practca
workings Of all branches OF the service. Appointed
receiving clerk at the United States Public Stores
under Collector Arthur in January. 1879, he was
promoted 10 be chief clerk OF tho record room at the
Wallst building In December OF the same year. He
was again promoted In June, 1880, TO be uquidaung
clerk. Next he was transferred at the special re-
quest OF Collector Merritt to Castle Carbon, and sub
seluently no was made an Acting Deputy COLLECTOR
Herr he won successfully the warm approval OF Col
lectors Merritt and Robertson and the cordial COM
mendation OF the STATE Commissioners OF Emigration
for his conduct OF the office. He was never In this
time reprOved, suspended or called to account for
any official act When he was removed he volu-
ary remained to instruct his successor In inc "ork
u thrown out Of employment after so long term
Of faithful public service, and at an age when Il Is
not easy to take up new business, M r. sS ond
DO restored 10 its original status and that he WOULD
be reinstatod. He thinks that the same reason that
caused his dismissal Is good ground Tor rem
staement.-that he has been an enthusiastic Jealous
and working Republican since he helped 70 organic
the party In Washington County, over tnirly years
ago Tho present Custom House clerk Of Castle Gar.
den Scanlon Hs published paper N a.
topsI Committee sent out thousands OF copies of 70
account of the Bulchard X. y K. mol
was nomInsiy publisher Of The paper and T. was ESs
diligently used by the Democrats, 70 THAT
,aisehood was kept standing In its columns,
New-York, March 10, 1882 " H. u