The morning call., 1895-02-22
TROUBLE Az THE
CUSTOM HOUSE.
THE APPOINTMENT OF L. j. PHELPS
AS APPRAISER HAS BEEN
ATTACKED.
WISE WANTED P. A. POLAND.
TUCKER HELD THE NOMINATING
POWER, AND So His MAN
Cor THE JOB.

P. A. Boland 1888, L. J. Phelps 1927,
F. H. Killduff TIA.
The above was the result of a special ex-
animation held under the civil service
rules few weeks ago. The Office to be
filed was that of appraiser of dry goods,
rendered vacant by the death OF Michael
Stackpool. An expert is necessary in the
position, and Stackpool was peculiarly
qualified through having served his APP
premiership in the wooden and cotton mills
of Europe.
In consequence, the practical test as to
the ability of the candidates to classify
goods was made very searching Samples
OF silks, satins and cottons were submitted
to them and their opinion asked. In this
branch of the examination Boland's per-
centage was far greater than that of the
others, while L. j. Phelps was practically
last.
P. A. Boland was formerly a partner in
the dry-goods house of Keene Bros. L. J.
Phelps was bookkeeper for O'Connor, Moi
fatt & Co., while F. II. Kilduff was formerly
clerk with Neuberger, Reiss & Co.
In the'ordinary course of events Boland
would have been appointed. An extraor-
binary course was followed, however, and
L
place. Collector of the Port Wise wanted
Boland, as he was the winning candidate
on paper. Appraiser Tucker, however,
wanted Phelps and clash resulted The
Collector of the Port has really the appoint
ing power, but as the Office is one under
the direct control of the Appraiser his
opinion naturally carries great weight
The Collector accordingly gave way, and
in spite of his good showing Boland was
showed under and Phelps appointed.
The office is worth about $500 month
and the appointment of Phelps has nat
urally caused considerable comment.
'The practical test is the main essen
tial, said a prominent Custom-house
broker yesterday. Suppose a shipment
appraisement, and the examiner is only
specifically acquainted with these goods,
what will happen? Why, the Govern
ment will lose thousands of dollars in
duty. Michael Stackpool was kept there
through several administrations simply
because he was an expert and could almost
assess the value of dry goods at sight.
Under the new tariff nearly all dry goods
are ad valorem, and the duties have to be
determined by the Examiner. So knowl-
edge of foreign goods on the part Of the
man who makes the appraisement is para
mount.
'In this particular branch Phelps was
| lower than the others, while in scholarship
he was not in any way superior. Boland
made 1888 per cent out of possible 100,
and finished two hours before the others
got through. He was the man for the
place, but as the Appraiser insisted upon
having Phelps, why, | suppose Collector
| Wise gave in and made the appointment.
1t is said that considerable influence was
brought to bear in order to secure Phelps
appointment. Whether that is so or not l
dom know | know the m n
who fairly earned the position, according
to civil service rules, did not get it."
The whole affair has caused considerable
unfavorable comment in the Custom-house
and Appraisers store, and further develop
ments are expected, as Boland intends to
lay the matter before the Civil Service
Commissioners.