Evening journal., 1911-07-08
new NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Federal Official Who
Won Promotion by Com
mitting Assault 6 Battery
By E. J. Edwards.)


Tom Murphy is at this day almost
forgotten But forty years ago he was
one of the closest Of the friends of
President Grant, the intimate friend Of
General Chester A. Arthur. the col
lector Of customs at the port of New
York, and influential as a Republican
leader. Murphy had gained a fortune
as a manufacturer of hats. He was a
Jolly, witty, very generous Irish
American, quaint in some Of his ways
and characterized by an intense affec-
ton and admiration for General Grant.
General Grant took a great liking
for Murphy the first time he met him.
He was fond Of hearing Murphy talk;
he was greatly amused with Murphy's
stories and keenly relished the wit OF
this good natured, warm-souled Irish
American. II was an act Of pure friend
ship and nothing else which led Presi-
dent Grant to appoint Tom Murphy
collector Of customs at the port of New
York Murphy, had. however gained so
many friends among the Republican
leaders of that time, being especially
| friendly with Senator Conking and
General Arthur, that his appointment
although not recommended by any pol
itcian, was warmly approved by the
leaders
At the time Murphy became collector
of the port. the storekeeper in the New
York custom house service was a man
of the name Of George Barker He was
as ardent an admirer Of President
Grant as was Murphy himself. al
though he was so quiet in his manner,
so reticent in his speech, that none
outside OF his family knew the extent
of his admiration and the depth of his
affection for President Grant.
One day Mr. Barker entered the Of
fee of one of the subordinates under
Collector Murphy, the officer who was
! In immediate authority over that de-
partment of the custom house in which
Mr.. Barker had been placed He said
TO his superior officer:
Il have come, sir, to report myself
for a grievous infraction Of duty"
What was it?" the officer asked.
We'll, sir, was the reply. you
know that Collector Murphy shortly
after he took Office caused every em-
ploye of the custom house to be in
formed that he expected all Of us to
show the utmost courtesy and consid-
Grafton to every citizen who had busi-
ness in the custom house. He intimated
to us that there was no infraction of
the rules which would cause him
greater displeasure OF result in the ex-
ercise of greater discipline than a
breach of courtesy or politeness. Well.
sir. I have disobeyed that rule / have
come to report myself"
How did you break this rule?" Mr.
Barker was asked
We'll. IL was in this way. One of the
large importers Of New York came to
my room on business and in the course
Of conversation he told me that Cen
eral Grant was not a great general, but
was great butcher Of men, I told him
he'd have TO take that statement back
and apologize. He told me that he
would see me damned first Then /
went around from behind the desk.
bit him twice. ! knocked him down,
and then ! kicked him out Of the Office.
] guess / hurt him badly. ] suppose it
will cost me my office"
We'll shall have 10 take you to
the collector Mr.. Barker was inform
ed, FOR this is, indeed, a serious
breach Of rules"
In few moments Mr. Barker stood
before the collector He told that Of
fetal that he had been remiss in his
duties; that an importer had said
something TO him which made him lose
his temper. and that he had knocked
the importer down and kicked him out
of his office
Why. man, YOU have committed a
crime!" Collector Murphy cried. You
have committed an assault You are
certain 10 be arrested and punished.
] an % -
stay in the custom house"
Yes, that punishment is justified, I
know" Mr.. Barker said. "I should not
have lost my temper
What did the man say to you?" Col
lector Murphy asked
He told me that General Grant was
no general that he was only butcher.
I couldn't stand that and so ! hit him d"
Instantly Tom Murphy ran from be-
hind his desk He embraced Mr.. Bar
ker. He patted him upon the shoulder,
and he said to him.
Barker. II would have been a crime
IF you had not resented an insult TO
| General Grant. If you had let that man
talk to you about Grant in that way
and had not kicked him out Of the Of
/ fee, I should have discharged YOU I
am proud Of you, ad the next time l see
President Grant I am going TO recon-
/ menl you for promotion"
And Tom Murphy was as good as his
word for Barker sot his promotion.
Copyright. 1911. by 2 J Edwards. All
rights reserved
On Monday Mr.. Edwards win tell Of
eThe Reconciliation of Grant and
Blaine"