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| NORTH STAR PORT | SPRING 2025
As part of this work, he allied with
U.S. Treasury Secretary Charles James
Folger on a national customs consolida-
tion measure. Customs collection dis-
tricts had grown in number from 59 in
1789 to more than 100 in 1884, a prolif-
eration viewed by some as unnecessary,
inefficient and wasteful. Thompson
cited Maine and its 14 collection dis-
tricts as an example, supporting Folg-
er's recommendation to abolish nine
because "they are paying nothing " and
"the amount paid out in those nine dis-
tricts exceeds the amount collected."
A sweeping nationwide consolidation,
he argued, would reduce expenditures,
saving "a million and a half dollars every
year in the collection of customs duties."
Kentucky congressman, who likely never set foot in Duluth,
nearly sunk the Zenith City in 1884.
His name was Philip Burton Thompson, Jr.
It was a busy time for Thompson, having recently won his
acquittal after gunning down Walter H. Davis on a train. Davis had allegedly
seduced Thompson's wife, "with alcohol," a misdeed viewed villainous enough
by the jury to justify Thompson's vengeful fusillade.
According to the Weekly Constitution of Atlanta, the verdict was "received
with cheer," which lends some insight as to why Thompson remained in the
United States House of Representatives one year later, still serving as chair-
man of the Committee on Expenditures.
1884
A
PHOTOS / Northeastern Minnesota Historical Collections, Archives and Special Collections, University of Minnesota Duluth
Fighting
for customs
SEASONS OF YORE
| By Jayson Hron
