Year: 1879

tain u hearing. 1t is susceptible of proof
that he habitualy did not arrive there until after
noon aud was, therefore. absent during period d
when his attendance necessary to the transaction
of public business. and this especially so after
the action of the Senate upon the nomination OF his
successor.


The watchful care of collector al port of such i'm
portancc AZ New York over the action OF his sub
ordnatcs in their methods of doing business Is at all
times impcraively necessary for the protection of the
revenue. In which has come to light since the
retirement of Mr. Arthur IL has been shown that goods
upon which the duties amounted to Sl2O.OoO were
delivered to the parties without payment OF any
duties to the government and. in suit 10 recover
these duties. 1t is claimed by the importers that the
unlawful delivery was due to the negligence. or
something worse. the part of the customs ofccrs
under the charge OF Mr.. Arthur.


THE ALLEGED CONVERSATIONS.


To the closing portion of the letter OF Mr.. Arthur
in which he states alleged conversations with mo as
to his suspension. have desire to make any full
reply. Any statement by either of MS as to
conversations on public business is OF doubt
full prcprety. In some respects his recollection
is not entirely accurate. No doubt was kind
and courteous in communicating to him your pur-
pose to suspend him, and said that 10 specific
charges were made against him. but that his suspen
sion was made because he not in sympathy with
the administration in the conduct of the business OF
the Custom House. But in all my conversations
with Mr.. Arthur have been entirely frank with him
in stating that believed the public service would be
promoted by a change: that in the nature Of things
he could not. with neartiness, bring about reforms
that would affect many intimately connected with
him. and that the public service would he pro-
NOTED by firm new Collector who could make
the necessary changes III fuctnOuS anu
from personal friendships or committas. Such was
the tenor of the first conversation l had with HIM
asking his resignation and it is entirely consistent
with the sincere and earnest desire had to bring
about change without an uusecmly struggle.


Ii soon became apparent, after January, 1878, from
the daily business of the department with the New
York custom House. thai anything like harmony or
hcartness in the administration of the duties of Col
lector could not be brought about while Mr.. Arthur
remained in the Office, anu. therefore, after full trial.
recommended his suspension.


SPECIAL AGENTS.


As to the remarks made by Mr.. Arthur in regard
to- the use of special agents it must be remembered
that there but twenty OF this class OF officers in
the public service. Formerly the number was nifty
three During the whole time of my service two three
have been at New York. all of whom under
ders to cooperate with the Collector aud his subor-
dnatcs in the detection of frauds and irregularities.
They transacted their ordinary business Their zeal
instead OF being matter of rcproof should be
the oldest and ablcst in the public SER
vice, and General Appraiser Meredith, who is
arraigncd by Mr.. Arthur az having been sent
to find fault, is old and experienced officer of the
highest standing having been seventeen In the
public service. II is Tor the Senate to determine
whether the opinion Of Mr.. Arthur, carefully stated.
with ful advantage of to all the public records.
shall prevail. or the opinion OF the Jay Commis-
son supported by the reports of the special agents
Commission, together with my well considered
opinion based upon the business as IL was brought
before me officially, and your own personal cxamina-
ton of the different reports submitted to you.


Charged as you are with the execution OF the laws,
II would that tho most important officers of the
customs service ought to be selected by the cxecu
tive branch Of tho government, upon which the re