New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-25
DON'T KNOW HOW TO BEGIN.
THE INVESTIGATION CT THE CUSTOM
HOUSE Is DELICATE WORK.

Mr. FtIRCHILD AND Mr. MAGONE WOULD BE
PLEASED TO FIND OUT HOW TO DO 1T
WITHOUT REFLECTING on
THEIR OWN RECORDS.
The Commission appointed 10 investigate the Custom
House met yesterday In the Barge once anu ~
spite Of the promises TO the contrary MADE Dy each
member OF II, the session executive. lhere
were good reasons for this. Both Charles >. farcnu
and Daniel Magone anxious TO learn JUST "hcre
they conld begin the investigation. ana not orns up
anything that might reflect upon them as onicia's
who In control at the close OF 'he hf'' oieVe
land Administration. Mr. Faifcmld was then Secre'
tary OF the Treasury. and Mr. Magone was Collector
of the Port It is n delicate point in their minds
10 know just where they ought to benin.
The Commission met at the Barge Office at 10 a. m.
Yesterday but some time before that hour Mr. Magone
was on hand Mr.. MagOne Is anxious that the Govern
ment shall receive full value f1r his $40 day ser
vices II the number Of hours work day that he
puts ins can accomplish It. Poindexter Dunn was
not In great hurry. lie did not reach the
Barge Office until time later. The guard who
had been placed At the door TO protect the members
Of the inquiioa from assaults from the outside did
not know him. and refused 10 admit him TO the room
untfl he showed his credentials. This con-
siderable shock TO him. for since his appointment rs
Q member Of this Commission Mr. Dunn has imagined
that every knew all about him. After Mr..
Magone came ont and vouched for him. telling the
doorkceper that he really Mr.. Dunn. he was ad
mitted. but he much broken IN spirits. Mr.
Falrchild did not seem TO be in a hurry 10 get TO
work, for II was some time after the hour when the
Commission meet that he strolled into the
building and Joined the other two members Of the
Commission. Abont this time ". MacFarane, the
AstiSnapper lawyer who added TO the Commits
sion at a late date. entered the room. Mr.. MacFar-
lane was, another man who took a prominent part
m organizing the ntSnap movement in this State.
nd HE ts fha a1irp for his
expected 0f him Is 10 look wise. ask few questions
and turn In large bill for legal services. After
all OF the members Of the Commission had got to-
gcther they locked themselves In and began
TO talk They discussing the Information con
tanned In the various bundles Of documents that had
been sent In from the Treasury Department when
c. S. Hamlin the Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury
interrupted them. lie had on from Washington
with a lot OF papers and many Instructions from
Secretary Carlisle lie remained with the Commits
sioners some time, and it was learned that he told
them what TO DO 10 bring out the political points
that the Commission is expected 10 make In the
interest Of the present Administration. Mr. Hamln
with the Commissioners several hours. and he
hurried of. valisc In hand, 10 catch a train for
Washington to consult further with Mr.. Carlisle.
Just before he went away. a tall, slim tried TO
get Ambulance TO the room. but the doorkeeper would
not allow him 10 pass. Then the young man handed
the officer card TO take In to the Commissioners. The
doorkeeper nearly tainted away when he read the
name upon the card. II was Logan s. Carlisle.
MI. Carlisle did not to stly outside ny min tes
lie talked long and earnestly with the members OF the
Commission but what he said could not be learned.
1T suggested however, that Mr.. Carlisle had a good
deal to about places that could 5e made in the Gus
tom House for true and tiled Democrats. II the investi
cation carried as 1t ought to be.
DIR. Hamlln said to Tribune reporter after he
left the meetng-room:
Il have spent the whole morning in conference
with the Commission, discussing the scope OF the in
vestgation.'
a suppose you the legal scope OF the investi
gaton and the direction that 1t will take said the
porter
Yes; exactly" the reply.
"You represent the Treasury Department." he
asked.
YES; YOU know l am the Assistant Secretary OF
the Treasury. represent Mr. Carlisle, and brought
Instructions from the Secretary for the Commi Oners
to follow"
There long fight in the Commission as to max
ing the Investigation public. There considerable
opposition TO this, but the Commissioners decided
finally to open the doors to the public
Appraiser Marvele W. Cooper was with the Com
mission for some time during the morning. and gave
some valuable points for them to follow The charges
also were read and considered The Commission will
meet this morning at 10 80 O'Clock to begin the exam
lnatioD of witnesses,