due regard
to efficiency. I promptly referred it to the President, and received
the following letter:

"Executive Mansion, }
"Washington, May 26, 1877.}
"My Dear Sir:--I have read the partial report of the commission
appointed to examine the New York customhouse. I concur with the
commission in their recommendations. It is my wish that the
collection of the revenues should be free from partisan control,
and organized on a strictly business basis, with the same guarantees
for efficiency and fidelity in the selection of the chief and
subordinate officers that would be required by a prudent merchant.
Party leaders should have no more influence in appointments than
any other equally respectable citizens. No assessments for political
purposes, on officers or subordinates, should be allowed. No
useless officer or employee should be retained. No officer should
be required or permitted to take part in the management of political
organizations, caucuses, conventions, or election campaigns. Their
right to vote, and to express their views on public questions,
either orally or through the press, is not denied, provided it does
not interfere with the discharge of their official duties.

"Respectfully,
"R. B. Hayes.
"Hon. John Sherman, etc."

My answer to the commission was as follows:

"Treasury Department, May 26, 1877.
"Gentlemen:--Your first report on the customhouse in New York, of
date the 24th instant, has been received, and the reduction proposed
by you of twenty per cent. of the number of persons employed therein
is approved.

"So far as these offices are created by law, vacancies will be made
and left for the action of Congress. The reduction of the other
employees, the number of whom and whose compensation are not fixed
by law, will be made as soon as practicable.

"I am much gratified that the collector, the naval officer, and
the surveyor of the port, concur with you in the proposed reduction.

"The hours of employment, after the 31st of this month, will be
from 9 o'clock a. m. till 4 o'clock p. m., excepting where a longer
time is prescribed by law. This corresponds to the hours of clerical
service in this department. This rule will be strictly enforced,
and absence will be the cause of reduction of pay or removal.
Strict attention to duty will be required, and other business will
not be allowed to interfere with the full discharge of the duty
attached to the office.

"I notice