Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-08

"A.
r''ps,nsd consider important TO 'heir interests
coo'' s,'.ned proper to bring the suolec' before
go .,,cn,Ion Of Congress, that II owing 10 any
tF the lav or any error IN Inc cohs'rue-
deS', -. intentions of the leg'sla ture have not
,'a' c,,ried into effect, the necessary remedy
NAY IT. ,ection the several articles ennnerat-
d, ~. 49, .c,. whether imported before or after
e' :" 20. tlerenf were authorized 10 De put
te Enst,m House stores, and such AZ re-
10" ~, roJer the control Of the proper officer oil
nA""o .,a,n. on the Sd Of March next, were sub
"s ~ mn higher duties than u imported aiter
~. J,,: aud the duties or any part Thereon
Us" "a nav have been paid IN such articles were
~ .s(,nded 10 the person importing and de-
nm, the same: And the Secretary OF the
,.|',..ry was authorizes, I" prescribe such rules
- rsrIations as misht be necessary 70 carry
=, .e,ion ,nto effect
,,.r,cuiin, th. section, the fullest DISPOSE
"a. lei, 10 consult the interest aud convent
nee NJ merchants; but 1t VAS perceived that an
r,,;,sd constructio of IFS terms was caiculat-
r.re,y 10 conflict with the several men,
II the same sectI0n. and VIA other sections
.f,h, 4ct. but to distarb the financial arrange
',n,s Of the government, and postpone the pay
.,.p, Of the public debt.
+, ,he last annual Report from this ID part
o,ot, as we'll asin that prepared by direeuon Oh
.ss House Of Representatives aud accompanying
~, Mn which formed the chief basil, OF the Act
f,,s lIth OF July, II was stated that the exist
~. 0h,oa,ions of the Government, not less than
,.ss.,sr,ts of the community, forbade reduc-
,'n, M the present duties earlier than he ST. OF
Nh 1855; and by the Cd section OF the Act
~, recommendation Was distinctly recognized
and adopted
Wi,hou, some Limitation therefore, as to the
..,,,,osc,;ye uperatun Of the 18th section, the
.h;,,t If the Cd section would not only have
bSsr defeated, but the Act itself would IN fact
,ye been render ed operative in all past time, 5"
~ =. concerned any goods in the original pack
,,e; no matter when imported; and the owners,
r,s,aer importers or retailers. in all parts ol the
country, would have had right to deposit !heu'.'n
n. Cr,om House stores aud claim refundiug
n The duties.
Ry one Of the provisions OF the 18th section,
me auttorits To refund duties which had been paid
an ARTICLES deposited. is expressly confined To the
rsr,on, supporting AMI depusiting the same;"
thus treating the impGrter and deposltor as iden-
III ,. Aod as il Is not reasonable To Suppose mat
hr right 10 deposit was greater than that 10 cia''"
rrlun,llnr Of the duties. the words "importr, or
oAaer" IN other parts Of The sectionwere treatei as
SYNONYMOUS These terms moreover. throughout
the revenue laws refer to importation, aud are
attended 10 signify the person importing, wheth-
the actual proprietor, the agent or the cons'snee.
n Is Obyluus, also, that by this consiruc ton
shc terms importer or owner not only receive
heir usual revenue meaning, but are reconclled
with thUse of Importer and depos'tor; which
could not be, # the con junction were 10 receive
dsjunctive Interpretation. Ii was, therefore,
hed Ihat'sood, could be Deposited ouiy by the
impnrer.
As the Act contained no appropriation for
drawing money out of the Treasury for repaying
the duties authorized 10 be refunded, the Depart
ment was fativ warranted in Interpreting the
18Th section as applying to thOse duties only
which nav have been pal to the Collector after
The passing Of the Act. and, consequently. IN IL
ml'lug the right vt drP"Slt 20 the goods on which
hose duties Ccrded. But. from a desire to give
ne section as liberal a construction as was con-
iStent with all the other objects ct the Vet, II
va' allowed to apply to the whole OF any impor'
ialiou on which any par, of the dutirs remained
mpai a, the date Of the law. And, Ia make
ms construction operate as equally and f"rora'
by among the importers generally, as might be,
was allowed 10 include those goods also. upon
which the duties had been paid in cash. provid
ed, that by the terms Of credit allowed BY law,
ife,h duties on auv part Of them would not have
aesa PAYABLE until after the date o! the law Tits
not believed, however. that any construction oi
he section winch will not admit OF the deposit
d goods when in original packages, whether IN
he bands Of the importer or nj any other person,
and uO matter when imported, will be sa'isfacto-
y to tie owners of such gouds as may be I'm
ported at lower rate OF duty after the Sd March.
Dat Il II be the intention of Congress SD to ex-
cNd the operation of the SET ton. II is respect
lay suggested. that rs it will, in that case. ne
csssariy embrace goods upon which the duties
must have been accounted for and paid over to
The Treasury, an appropriation be made Tor re-
paying the amount II such duties out Of the Trea'
Surv
With view to obtain reasonable &c !tainty in
nc hain' ial operations of the government, and
a the sussestun of the Collectors as To the time
'ere'sary Tor the duties to be performed by them
IcNecuting the 18th section, regulation was
adopted hNiug the time To ahich goods might be
deposited, at the lst Of January next. Ii il,
'Ne'er, the Intention of the Department tux.
M the time, il it be fuuud that the dut.ssoi
as Colls',Ors will admit If its.
ihe alteration in many of the rates Of duty
tha Il e q