New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-27
4 SNEAK INVES1IG 1TION.

II is becoming evident that the committee
of Democratic par,isans sent here by Secretary
Carlisle to conduct sC-called investigation
into the affairs of the Custom House Is really
engaged upon political and not public work.
The committee, from this point Of view, has
been sagaciousy composed. Two OF It's Nom
beis are that eX-Secietary Of the Treasury WHO
served in the last years Of Nh Cleveland :
former Administration and that Collector OF
Customs who Immediately preceded Colonel
Elhardt of course then, the abuses these men
calculate TO discover are not such may have
occurred while the Custom House was under
their authority. They are not locking for
abuses that are more than four years DID, and
if any such should accidentally be stumbled
upon they will be conveniently placed TO close
their eyes and turn their attention elsewhere
Three facts disclose the character OF this IN
vestigltion: The men making it arc all Dem
ocrats, the political party with which the Off
Gals under scrutiny are connected having no
representative among them; two OF them are
the Democratic officers who conducted the
Custom House during Cleyeland's first term
and until four years ago: the persons who com
plain about Republican management are being
heard in secret. These facts tell a clear tale
of partisanShip and unfarness The New
York Custom House does a business of nearly
a million dollars day 1t enters goods worth
three or four times that enormous sum.
complicated tariff system is applied to these
imports, and if every agent of the district
were a paragon Of uprghness there would still
exist a percentage Of error. Fivedollar a-day
agents and inspectors are not likely TO be en-
lowed with infinite wisdom. II goes without
saying that in the performance Of task so
vast and intricate as is the administration of
this Custom House. there are scores OF Incl
dents which the selfinterest Of importers, the
jealousy and malice Of discharged or disappoint
ed clerks and the spirit of factOnalism and
partisan politics can readily represent as seri-
Gus abuses. This is apparently the scheme en-
tertained by Secretary Carlisle and his partisan
committee of Investigators.
If it were otherwise, Mr. Carlisle would have
had the investigation made by responsible
committee of Congress-, where the minority
would be represented and the rights Of accused
persons honestly safeguardcd. lie would not
have appointed as investigators men who arc
personally concerned in the result of the in
qury and as liable to be responsible for any
wrongdoing that may be uncovered as the
officials now in charge. And he would not
allow his committee to sit behind closed doors
listening to stories affecting mems regulations
and rights which the accused have no oppor-
tunity to hear as told or to subject to the test
of cross examination. Mr. Fairchild was right
in refusing to sit on this committee. lie was
wrong in allowing himself to be persuaded into
withdrawal of his resignation. lie should
get right again. He and Mr.. Magone are not
! the proper persons to undertake such work
as an investigation of the Custom House.
Secretary Carlisle should stop this proceed
| ing, and either refer it. to Congress or begin
| it all over on an honester basis Let him com
,sse his committee of three Democrats and two
Republicans, none of whom shall be or have
been either Custom House or Treasury officials
or importers. And let the committee, thus
constituted, go ahead openly AND fairly.
J If the investigation as at present pro-
ceeding is to continue, it will obtain no respect
! or confidence from the public. 1t will be