Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-01-21

the import will be some what increased by the opera
ton, il 10 not rshended that gradual reduction,
CONNIE ncng at an early day, would sens,oiy prolong
the total extingushment oil the public debt
The various duties devolved the Treasury D.
Partment in relation TO Custom Houses, and Land OH
ees have led to the exercise OF powers not sufficiently
defined by law. These are liable to be enlarged by
gradaons, under special exigences, with
out lie gslaiive sanction, until the powers Of the De.
partment to perform Indispensable duties are derived
from usage, rather than the statutes. Of this
arc those exercised in the paymeas for contingent ex
peaces Of the Cutter service, repairs Of Custom
Houses, Wharves, and Warehouses, belonging to the
United State. expences TO the Inspectors employed in
special services, in dition to their per diem compen
sAiion n the allow to instructed to in,
ugate transactions Of CUSTOM House, and Land Offices,
to assistant counsel and tor costs in suits and
tons; and for various services Of less magnitude
The payments for these objects usually made by
Collectors and Receivers Of public moneys, by drats
on he,n from the Treasury Departments; being consi-
dsred incidental to these branches of revenue. IL
is desirable that all such payments should b, specih
cay sanctioned by law as those made out Of monies in
the Treasury.
The Secretary Of the Treasury deems it proper to
make known to Congress- that the duties imposed upon
wsolen goods, under the act Of 10Th May, 1925 have
In pursuance Of Instruction from the Treasury De-
parnent dated the 18th Of October, 1925 been charg
ed upon the value Of such goods, without the addition
Of 20 per centum the cost OF those imported from
the Cape OF Good Hope any place beyond the same,
or ON beyond Cape Horn, ~ per centu OH those
from any o,her place country.
Tue law, il is believed, may admit OF different
construction; but the orders for the mportations,
siuce the instructions above referred to- given.
with knowledge OF its operation, how TO add the 20
or 10 per cent, TO the cost Of such goods, would
probably tran fer the whole OF them into class higher
than was fairly contemplated by the importer, and in
creass the duty prsjudciay his int rest Un
der these cir eumstances, and there may be
doubt as to the intention Of the law, has been deem
ed proper not to disturb the existing construction bu,
to submit the matter TO the consideration Of Congress
Sho her subject somew what similar in character has
been for special reasons, differently disposed Of. de-
ducton OF five per cent the invoices of broad cloths
Tor measurement, has become es' ab.hed usage OF
trade This usage particularly noticed in an in
struc'ion issued by the Treasury Department. the
9Th September, 1925 but which had been difIe remit
| construed by the Custom House Officers at jIeren
ports; at some, the deduction having been made from
the measurement and at others from the cost: by which
different rates Of duties were imposed. IL deem
ed not only legal hut constitutional obligation so far
as the powers vested in the Department would admit
to render the duty uniform throuc bout the United
States In preparing the necessary guaon. for ihi-
purpose lit con.ider ed that the five per cent deduc
ton originally intended, it purports to be, on
measurement" and not price. Til. basis wa. al
| so recommended by another and more important con-
sideraon, viz the uniformity Of its effect The allow
ance being made for the merchant pay:
duty on the number OF yards purpong to be imported
but II made on price, tits nugaory, except the cloths
are thereby transferred from higher TO lower cass
in which il dninishes the duty by tia amount
| the difference between the duties charged on such
classes. An instruction accordingly Issued on the
9Th OF August, 1929, directing the allowance of per
cent to be made tho ment only. But thi,
unavoidsby deprived number Of importers whose or
ders he'd been previously given, OF the bene
OF the deduction in determining the classes OF dutabe
prices to which their cloths Belonged such cloths
consequently. subjected 10 rate Of duty higher than
was contemplated when the orders giy.n. This
regulation has, therefore. injuriousy effected the in
ierest OF these importers and their is submitted TO
the favorable consider OF Congress, who alone can
give the proper relief.
The Secretary Of the Treasury respectfully invites
the atten OF Congress. to modhc Of the ex
isting revenue laws, we'll for the convenience OF
those employed in commerce and navigation for the
better security of the revenue.
The law in relation to licenses for coa.ting and .h-
ing vessels operates unequally and inui ously upon
some branches OF that business; il requires upon we
ry change Of structure Of the vessel or of ownership
by the transfer OF the right Of one partner. the taking
out OF new license, aud the payment of new duty
The bounty allowed on vessels employed in the cod
fisheries 10 understood to be unlawfuly obtained by
some Of hose engaged In the mackerel f.her-s IL
believed that bounty the fish cured or exported
without reference to the origin Of the SALT would bet
Ter pronoe whatever encouragement may be consider
edas proper u be given to the heres ,hi, could be
graduated 10 any scale. ani being simple in il,
| form, wosld be less liable 10 abuse.
Ii is found that the present mode OF compen.ating
Custom House Officers operates unequsIly and not In
proportion TO the service rendered. As striking in
stances Of this inequality Inspectors in many places
receive more than double the compe nation of the
Collectors who employ them and at some ports Gus.
tom Houses built, or purchased by the Govern.
ment, while at others, they provided the pc
| Of Collie cioIs
The fees Of office liable to be variously comput
Transaction OF business These il is believed NAV be
generally abolished, and the mode Of by
salary, benehcally substituted, retaining, however
those on maDifests, entries and permits and
that class Of service which makes IL the interest of tho
officers to require Strict Observance of those acts on
the part Of masters Of vessels and shippers which
be deemed essential TO the security Of the revenue
The commissions allowed to Collectors on bonds
put in suit ghi he advapsgs ously divided betw
| then and the District attorneys. The former would
thereby be more interested in taking proper security
and the latter have salutary stimulus the discharge
] of tn cir duties.
Some additional provion OF law is deemed necessa.
~ 10 compel the surrender Of public books and
| Of District Attorneys, Msrshals, Custom House and
Land Ocers, in pursuance OF orders from the proper
| depsr Inent.
The iabors ofbe appraisers imported goods have be
greatly increased by the act in alteration OF the evcra
acts imposing duties imports, passed 18th May 1928
To give the proper efficiency to that branch OF service
IL necessary TO have ware houses and sices conve
nenily adapted Tor the examination, me a.urng snd re
packing Of goods, and that the persons poyed by
praiseTs should be imm ediaely under their COM
troll In the port OF New York, where nearly half the
mporaiions into the u. States are made the whole la
Dor Of appaising devolves officers who are
ciu'ivey respe nsble for that duly; and vet all the
sstsnce which be provided for them il supplied in
directly, and under an implied power. To avoid the
smbhr assment that must arise from sickness or other
necessary absence OF both Of thee officers an
additional appraiser At that port indispe
IL u also deemed advisable that the commissioned APP
prasers at all the ports should be authorized under
proper restrictions, TO employ persons 10 assist.
ant, under regular Tespon Utility these being dsir
buted upon the different classes could not fail i'm
crease the power Of the appraisers for efficient and
faithful performance Of their duties, and without any
m risl inrr eofe