Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-12-23

tage TO he interests. The most stikng example OF
dis nature vi b. found Ia the duty lad 90 spices IL
toe npoc;s and exports Of these Articles, known to be
eNsn'iveiy eousunvd bus rot produced, in the Unied
States, be compared, il will be seen that during the
yesrs tecsdinx 1925 The nomioai experts have
exc eeA in value the nominal imports. 10y the sum Of
$l6S 155. Whe her The consumption bas been supplied
by uaudul, lint atoms or whether debenture- have
bsen pad on fraudulent the iScti. conclusive
evidence, that ding be lest by imposing lower
duty those a tcies. The comparison for the last
two years exhibits more favorable resul; but the dbl
lerence is still much less Than sc,ua consumption
aud where such extensive frauds have been so sue
cess'ulI ac ed. It il scarcely 10 be hoped that any
gree oil viz ner sUthe"nt to prevent them, can be
permanently maintained uGder the temptation.
The attention OF Congress is respectfully invited TO
the operation OF clause of the 81 section of the act
ented "an act for the eiectua collection of tho
duties on Imports, passed 2Sth May, 1880. The rule
therein prescribed for apprasng certain goods in pack
ages by adopting the value of the best article in each
package average for the WHOLE went into effect
on the LIST OF October last The notice too short
TO How Of new orders being given in all cases and
soma embarrassment has arisen in the appraisement OF
sucnrcles, "a had for the convenience OF trade, and
without any intent to defraud the revenue, been "
sually put up in mixed packages In anticipation of ts
dhculy, directions were given 10 the collectors 10 as
certain until the LIST OF January next, the difference in
each case between the amount OF duty imposed accord
ing 10 this mode, and hat which would have accrued
according to the customary mode. But as the bonds
nave been taken FOR the duties ON the average value
some legislative provision will be necessary TO Afford
the proper relief 1t may aso be expedent 10 accept
articles from the operation of the clause above
terred 10. Laces in particular represented 10 be al
most ssarily imported # different q'alies in the
same package; and some permanent inconvenience viii
be incurred TO the trade in these articles ii the importer
Is obliged 10 have them assorted 1t il also desirable,
That the character of the package 70 each description OF
goods required TO be appraised upon the average OF the
best article, should be defined by law The department
has endeavored TO obvaie Of the Inconvenience
arising from the change and at the time
the objects OF the act, by allowing the parcels oil such
goods which were put up separately and designated as
packages in - invoice, though Enclosed i'm gener
PACKAGE TO be regarded packages for apprasement
within the meaning of the law. But the constant efforts
TO abuse this regulation the part OF those for
whose benefit il adopted, and the intrinsic difficult
ty Of fixing, without specific legislation, and positive
mi; TO the extent of the parcel be dcemr package,
will probably render il necessary, should alteration
OF the law be made 10 rescnd the ORDER ard TO recog
nize other package than the entire quantity put up
in exterior box or Envelope Tie general operation
of the clause is found, however, TO be benefcia 1t a
ciatcs despatch and uniformity in the apprasomen of
goods, well prevents frauds the revenue; and,
with Inc aid of the notifications suggested mercantile
ingenuity will, no doubt find means by conforming the
packages 10 the objects Of the law avoid lis nconve
nience.
Efforts have been made to give greater efficiency to
the cutter service. But has become manifest
that the compensation allowed by law to the officers is
inadequate. The Office Of third Lieutenant may with
nry TO the service, be abolished; and, if equiv
aent OF the compensation now allowed 10 that officer,
were divided between the other officers, and add
lion made to the compensation Of the officers
TO whom important trusts confl d, the service
would be essentially improved, with but little increase
OF expense
The reg ations adopted for carrying into more com
plete effect the laws in relation 10 the arising
from customs will be hereafter communicated in Obe
donce to the directions of the lOh section of the "act
in alteration of the several imposing duties on inn
ports" passed l9ih May, 1928. There is be-
ieve, that material benefit has already been derived
from them, and that Ihe adopted will improve
in their effect with the increased experience of the Of
ficers.
sion, which will take place on the LIST of January 1881
and LIST OF January, 1892, respectively, would 10
render IL proper TO make corresponding reduction in
the drawback allowed IN the eXpor alton of picked
fish, which is fixed by the OF 18th July, 1913 at
20 cents per barrel that being the time duty charged
on one bushe Of salt Unless the law allowing the
drawback shall be previously modified the exporter
will begin TO receive, after the first of January next
greater amount OF drawback than the duty previously
paid on the salt
tits of great importance as well TO the revenue as TO
all the interests involved in the importation of foreign
merchandise, that the action of the custom houses
should secure nearly possible, uniform payment
o. duty upon the proper value of Imports contempla
ted by law; but there insuperabe difficult oppos-
cd 10 the accomplishment of this object under the pre-
sent system of mpot duties 10 which the Secretary OF
the Treasury would respectfully invite the serious at
ention OF Congress
The valuation which the ad valorem duties are
now laid is ascerained from the true or current value
Of the goods in the market of the foreign country in
which they were manufactured produced, with the
addition OF certain charges and ten twenty per
the case may be, when imported from this, or the
other side of the Cape of Good Hone The arpregate
of these items which the duties are laid is presuIn-
ed TO be the value of the goods when offered Tor sale
in the United States market; but such is rarely the
fact Ii ia not possible for the officers, at any one
cUstOm-house to ascertain the value in the
reign market with such precision will render il an
rem OF uniform ratio TO that of the current value in the
United Siess; and whatever approach might be made
u Ibis point BY set OF oi.ers aided by long Cx-
petierca and superior Kill il j. be expe cted that
the officers of nearly hundred sepaias custom.
house esatlrhments, can be well-in'ofmed o. The
valve Of goods at all tie pac of expectations 90 e.
quaily DUAL fed by ati,ity add disposition for the per-
able degree OF uniformity ia The Imposition of h cu4
'oms. atsll tfe places II mportaions-These dnicuI.
Ties dded TO The general repuRuance Of the officers 10
be drawn into coll ion with the mpotefs, will alwaya
render the invoice prices Of metehandise. the chief
standard cf current value in the foreign marte; and
corrections will only be made in cascs of IA Die err.
ror. This detective oprrao1 Ia The highest pert elton
Wish the rr'seDt eyftem appears 10 be capable Of Bot
there are other impO taut objections it, rich are
worthy OF great consideration. All inpost duties aie
Intended 70 be d by the consum r. Thu present p,na
frequently obges the importer pay them ard pro A.
bly, cen ccnpeis the cousumer 10 paw more than TIE
proper charge upon It's t0tsImp'on. When goods are
bought at high prcss in The foreign market s. brought
into &c proceed MAJ ket hom. the duty may greatly
exceed the advance which the importer is able 10 eel
for; in which event, part, the whole Of IT, far On
the importer But, 1t The Tools bought AZ price,
below tbS usual current vslu a0I brought in.o mar.
ket where The demand 10 brisk, the consumer psys not
only the duty, bt nearly great Price for the goods
% If the duly laid IN r value at tie tlace
Of impOJ tailor. In The fret Gaze, thu operation NAV
prove ruiuous to he importer; and in the last he re-
ceves, in hs profits, portion Of what ought n accrue
to ths government. By these o, eratons, matif,s in
Jury &. often done, either TO he pov. fnuepi the con
commercial cntei prise are increased, aud whssvef TAI
lures ensue, the government, will gen ray ipcur q