The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-01
Thirty-One Customs Inspec-
tors at New York Dis
charged, Following
Investigation.
BRIBERY IN ONE CASE.

SPECIAL.
New York, Feb. 28.-"For the good Of the
SERVICE" thirty-one Customs Inspectors OF
this port were notified to-day that the posi-
tons they had occupied were abolished. and
that they must look for other employment
two Deputy Surveyors-Daniel E. Bowling,
who was once Acting Mayor of this city,
and Theodore F. Reed-received requests
from the Secretary of the Treasury for
their designations.
Mr.. Bowling and Mr.. Reed are both Dem
ocrats Collector George r. Bidwell is a
Republican. and no one who knows him
doubts that he Is a practical politician, and
believes in rewarding friends and not put
ting oneself out too much to oblige enemies.
But in this case it Is well understood that
something more than a political advantage
fs the object in view. Collector Bidwell.
Surveyor Croft and Naval Officer Sharkey
have all united to effect a radical reform
in the customs service at this port.
Ac> used of Taking n Bribe.
Daniel f. Bowling was recently accused
In the sworn testimony Of Special Agent
W. H. Theobold Of the customs service
who is. by the way, a favored agent of
Collector Bidwell-of taking a bride Of 800
from Miss Elizabeth ~Shanahan, a dress
maker. The accusation was based on a
confession alleged to have been made by
Miss Shanahan. No charges against Mr..
Reed are known. Generally speaking. 1t has
long been the belief that some of the Gus
toms inspectors lave looked more eagerly
for SO bills than for dutiable goods beneath
the lids of incoming passengers trunks.
In a statement regarding the charges, the
secretary of Mr.. Bidwell says:
1.-The Collector believes that the strength
from the outside force will not be weak
ened or the service in any way impaired
by reducing the number Of Customs In
spectors. and has therefore recommended
that the following thirty-one Inspectors be
dropped:
Samuel w. Swayze, Herman Bloch.
James H. Cochnower, Herbert C. Davidson,
James F. Fitzgerald. Lawrence J.. Hanley,
Samuel I. Kruckman, Charles F. Whitbeck,
Daniel J.. Sullivan. Malcolm C. Turner,
Thomas P. Hawley. Walter O'Mara, James
F. Costello. John w. Dost, Patrick Ellih.
Michae J.. Rush, William Bebee, Charles
H. Conklin, Thoma F. Cummiskey, John
Helm, William J. Cobb, Frank B. Fawcett.
John P. Murray, William Turk, Cornelius
E. Murphy. Simon P. Donnelly. Franc ].
Driscoll. Daniel J.. OConnell. Albenus R..
Mccoy, William Lamb and Alfred Griffin.
Privileges to he Cut On.
81. is learned that the present practice of
issuing permits to go down on the revenue
cutters to meet incoming steamers will be
discontinued, as well as the granting of
courtesies of the port. Both Of these privi-
leges nave been misunderstood, and miscon-
strued by the public and ave frequently
caused complaint from persons who have
not obtained them and are detrimental to
the interests of the revenue"
No amount of questioning could induce
the Collector to discuss the question
whether there was anything ~impugning the
conduct of any of the Inspectors which led
to their dismissal. The order to let them
go, Mr.. Bidweli explained, had come that
day from Secretary Gage Of the Treasury
as an Endorsement of his recommendations.
He had nothing to say as to the reason for
the request for the resignation of Messrs.
Bowling and Reed.
These officials nave each received $500 6
year. while each Of the Customs Inspectors
had "a a day. About $50 Inspectors remain
in the service and the Collector believes
they can easily do the work.