The native American., 1839-02-02

CUSTOM HOUSE SEIZURES.

The vast seizures Of merchandise made indis-
we may say, on the appointment Of
Mr.. Hoyt, as Collector oithe Port, have Ill length
found their way in the presence OF a jury OF the
country--in the presence Of disnterested citizens
sworn 10 decide on the law and the facts. and the
result thus far has been general restoration oil the
property seized to their owners. How far poor
and unfortunate men have been compelled to aban-
don their property and submit 10 the conhscaon,
not having means to contest the point, we are un-
able 10 say-the amount no Doubts heavy. When
the revenue laws of 1906 were passed, it was
deemed goodpolicy in young and growing coun-
lry,o give portion Of the luIeitres 10 the heads
Iof the Revenue Department. III order TO excite
their vigilance and protect the fair importer. Our
own experience i'll these matters fishes us that
tic practice is dangerous one to The Revenue,
and to those transacting business with the gverl'-
men,, and that the law OF seizures should he re-
organized. We have many curious and cen
Trajectory laws of ad valorem and minimum du-
ties, such varieties of opinions from Complroers
and Collectors, and so many views among Ap-
prasers. that there is now no guarantee, no safety
for the importer, and the very shade of a shadow
ia pretext is deemed sufficient cause for seizure.
The Collector. spurred on by his interest in
portion of the Forfeiture has no ceremony. no
tcruple in the matter. II court and jury decide
against him, the loss falls OH the unfortunate I'M.
rorter. not the Coll ctor--the government swells
he fees of the District Attorney in urging con-
lennation. and if it fails it fails. Far different,
iowevcr, is the condition Of the importer. lie
irst loses the time and the lnarket-he employs
counsel, defends tn snl--he court restore him
lis good, and his losses by the seizure and trial
nay be computed at TIN per cent. on the invoice.
| lie looks round for redress-he has none--the
government will not make good his losses--he
cizing officer pleads that he is only an agent,
md the Importers is literally robbed of one half the
aue Of his property by the present system. If
| he law was altered and the collectors of the prin-
.ipa ports received liberal salaries, but no portion
f the for(eitures arising from seizures, the result
| you'd be closer examination into the whole
nater-a more just and liberal disposition towards
| he importer, and consequently more disinter.
'sted inquiry into the whole subject.
II, untleralI these restrictions, goods thus seized
.hould be acquitted by jury, then the importer
.hould look to tile government for redress. We
ire essentially government Of the people, and if
| , doubt a'ises OH question, the people, and not
he governn.et, should have the benefit of that
ioubt. The law, therefore, should be altered
lot only on these grounds, but on the more n-
,orant one, that the policy deemed necessary for
thirteen States and five million of p ople, forty
years ago, requires modification at this time when
there are twenty-six States and fifteen millions of
people Laws should yield and be altered to the
state Of the times.
Custom House Seisures.-In the case of Myer
Z Leon, for hardware seized, the Judge took the
oloWing correct position: ."f
II is not enough for the government to show
hat goods are invoiced at a low rate, but they
'ound to prove that the invoice is made out scifh
he intent to dcffaua. 1t remains merely for the
i1ry to decide, lst has this invoice been made
mi! I'd. have the government shown this either
~ proof direct inferental or 3d. have the de
endants shown that they were invoiced at their
air market value? II is simple question of fact
which they are to decide.
The Jury acquitted.