The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-01-05
KEW NEWS Of YESTERDAY
Federal Official Who Won Pro-
motion by Assault.
storekeepsr In New York customI
Aouse Resented Abuse OF General
Grant, to the Delight Of Col.
lector Tom Murphy.

House Resented Abuse OF General
Grant, to the Delight Of Col.
lector Tom Murphy.
BY e. J. EDWARDS.
Tom Murphy is at this day almost
forgotten. But forty years ago bel
was one Of the closest of the friends
of President Grant, the intimate friend
of General Chester A. Arthur, the coli
lector Of customs at the port Of New
York, and influential as a Republican,
leader. Murphy had gained a fortunel
as q manufacturer of hats. He was a
Jolly, witty. very generous Irish-AmerJ
Jean. quaint in some of his ways and
characterized by an intense affection
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 MUIR
phys stories, and keenly relished the!
wit of this good %natured, warm-souled,
trish-American. 1t was an act of pure
friendship and nothing else which led
President Grant to appoint Tom Mur1
ply collector of customs at the port
bf New York. Murphy had. however,
gained so many friends among the
Republican leaders of that time. bel
Ing especially friendly with Senator
Conkling and General Arthur, that hisj
appointment, although not recommend
I'D by any politician, was warmly ap7
proved by the leaders.
At the time Murphy became coll
aector of the port, the storekeeper I'M
the New York custom house s~ervicel
WAS a man of the name of George Bari
ker. He was as ardent an admirer OF
President Grant as was Murphy him1
self, although 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
flee Of one of the subordinates under
Collector Murphy, the officer who was
in Immediately authority over that de1
partment of the custom house In whi0l
MI. Barker had been placed. He saie
to his superior o6icer: ]
~ have come, sir. to report 'mysefn
for q g~tievous '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 en-
ploye of the custom house to be in1
formed that he expected all of US to-
show the utmost courtesy and considl
Grafton to every citizen who had BUSH
ness in the custom house. He Until
mated to us that there was no infrac1
ton of the rules which would cause
him greater displeasure or result I'M
the exercise of greater discipline than
"a breach Of courtesy or %politenessl
Well. sir, ! have disobeyed that rule
I have come to report myself"
How did you break this ruler" Mr.
Barker was asked. =
We'll, It vas 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
General Grant was not q great gem
eral, but was a great butcher of men,
/ told him he'd have to take that
statement back and apologize. He
told me that he would e me damned
hrst. Then l went around from bel
hind the desk, ! hit him twice, d
knocked him down, and then !. kicked
him out Of the ONCE. guess>I hurt
him badly. I suppose It will cost me-
my once" /.
well. I shall have to take you to
the collector" MI. Barker was in!
formed, 'for this is. indeed. q serious
breach Of rules" v
In a few moments Mr.. Barker stood
before the collector. He told that of
sficial that he had been remiss in his
duties; that an importer had sold
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, q
lcrime!" Collector Murphy cried. You
have committed an assault. You are
certain to be arrested and punished.
and Of course you cannot expect I'd
stay In the custom house."
Eyes. that punishment IL JUSTIFIED, Z
KNOW" Mi. Barker said. Il should not
have lost my temper" !
What did the man say to your
Collector Murphy asked.
He told me that General Grant waa
mo general. that he was only a BUTCH
ar. couldn't stand that and 10 I hit
him."
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, It would have been q crime
iif you had not resented an insult to
General Grant. II you had let that
imam talk to you about Grant In that
way and had not kicked him out Of
the once, I should have discharged
you I am proud Of you. and the next
thine I see President Grant I am KoI