The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-25


From the LIST December, 1916, TO Both June l849,
the aggregate exports of dutiable merchandise from
warehouse amounted TO $7,2l3,SlO, or an annual
average of $2,792 ,439. In these exports from
warehouse there is'included the merchandise that
imported from foreign countries and transported
TO Canada Also the wheat, wheat flour, &c, that
have been transported from Canada, and the sailed
fish, Sc, from other British North American pro-
vinces intended for shipment from ports to for
eign countries.
During the three years preceding the enactment
of the warehousing act, viz, in 1874, 1916, and
1916, the total exports OF dutable merchandise
During the three following years. viz,
lS47, lS4S, and lS49, these exports
amounted TO- ',......., :.s..t. $1,000, 1914
The increase of exports, which appears from this
statement, to the extent of more than two millions
of dollars, is made up of the wheat -four, fish, &c..
from the British North American Provinces, and
merchandise transported under the transportation
act Of Sd March, lS45, before referred to-
From the returns made to this department, and
the quarterly statements published ii is believed TO
be apparent that the operation Of the warehousing
act has not been benefcially felt in the general
business of the country.
The only descriptions of merchandise that will
bear unnecessary and circutous transportation,
the more valuable articles of manufactures, and
these have not, to any considerable extent sought
a deposte in our warehouses with view to re-ex-
portaton. Experience every where demonstrates
that the commodities which may with advantage
be deposited in public warehouses, mainly such
as are needed for the consumption of the country
for food or manufacture With the present frequent
and rapid communications by steam with all parts
OF the commercial world, ii cannot reasonably be
expected that merchandise to any extent wifi be
sent to our warehouses to await export demand.
As an illustration of these remarks, reference is
made to the published quarterly statements of the
value OF the merchandise in all the public ware
houses, (see table hereto annexed marked from
which 1t will be seen that the largest amount at the
end of any quarter was ......... ST ,S30, 0l0 90
md he nm mt at h. end
OF each quarter was. .........,., s. ,742 66 %
Also, that the largest amount of du-
ties payable on this merchandise at
the end of any quarter 80. So SOL 1894 50
And the average amount at the end of
each quarter was. ........... S 800, 100 81
From these several statements it appears that the
practical operation of the warehousing act is a re-
turn to the system of credit upon duties, under
new name and form.
The 9th section of the act of Sd March last pro-
ydes 'that all imports subject to duty, and where
on the duties arc not paid when assessed shall be
deposited in the public warehouse, from whence
they may be taken out for immediate expectation
under the provisions of that act, any time within
two years; and, on payment of the duties, may be
Withdrawn for consumption within the United
States at any time within one year; but no goods
subject to duty shall be hereafter entered for draw
back, or exported for drawback, after they are
Withdrawn from the custody of the officers of the
customs" The effect of this section if rigidly con
strued, would be to deprive the importer Of the
bond from one district to another and Of re-ware-
housing the same, under the provisions of the sec
ond section of the warehousing act, and thereby
deprive large portion of citizens of auy parti
cipaton in its benefits
Under the belief that this was not the intention
OF Congress, no such instructions have been issued
SUB TREASURY.
The question of the expediency of continuing the
system established by the act entitled can act 10
provide for the better organization of the treasury
gafp Haar =
disbursement OF the public revenue" approved 9Th
August, 1916, is respectfully submitted to the wis
dom OF Congress. Experience has demonstrated
some OF the requirements of the act TO be productive
of great ineoa~onionos it, there be not ,,,,,
which, under the influence of strong necessity are
often violated. Discussing officers to whom dra fts
Tor large sums are issued, are by existing arrange
ments, obliged TO receive the full amount of said
drafts at one payment from the proper assistant
treasurer, while their expenditures must se made
IN small sums from time to time The custody of
the money is thus forced upon them, without any
provision Tor its convenience, or even safety N
the money Is to be disbursed at points distant feon
the place where it is received, the burden of trans.
ferring IL is in like manner imposed on them II
they adopt the usual and customary mode of keep
ing and transferring money they violate the Law
IL they undertake themselves its custody and car
riage, they incur great risk and responsibility.
The actual carriage of coin from place to place
IN the same town, is bur,hensome; especially in
those southern ports where silver is the coin chiefly
in use
The number Of clerks authorized by law 70 be en-
ployed is believed TO be much too limited
To alleviate some of the inconvenience attending
the system respectfully suggest, If II is 20 te COM
tnued- ~
lst That any person having draft on an assist,
ant treasurer be eermtted TO deposit his draft with
the assistant treasurer, and draw for the amount
from time To time IN such sums as he NAV desir.
upon his own orders, payable to any porsbn or ner'
sons provided that the whole amount Of the dan
should be actually drawn within short period
say two weeks after the deposit of the draft
ID Ihat any disburing officer having DRAFT on
an assistant treasurer should be permitted 90 ~.
post such draft, and draw for the amount in lie
manner; provided that each order shoula be rro
sented Tor payment within two weeks after its date
These provisions would IL is believed afJcr,uaiI,,
prevent the checks or orders being used as cur
rcncy. S
The proposed system would render necessary am
increase of the force employed in the Offices OF The
several assistant tressurers, and ought TO be ac-
conpanied by an increase Of their own componsa
ton,
The inconvenience arising from the accunp,,
ton OF coin at points where il is not required Co. h
Puohc service, Is very great but il seems TO be in
seParsole rom the system itself To pay public
creditor with draft on a remote Office Which bs
cannot sell but at discount, or sollsct in person
without journey, would be unseemlv and the
government has no means itsed of making trans.
iers IN such cases, other than the despatch OF
loss 'N Vi
The insee uri,y of the actual custody of tbe n,l,
nc money conhded, it is, at the several points
70 we vigilance and fidelity OF one Assistant Trea
surer, and he inadequately compensated 8 snh
lect which should attract the serious attention 81
Congress. VI
MISCELLANEOUS.
By the third section OF the act OF 81 March. $40
questions arising IN respect 10 tie refIndine ,f d
ucs collected in Mexico, or the remission al nensl.
tues imposed, ON the ground that the collection u,s
lnproper or the Penalties wrongfully enforced are
Ieicrred to the decision of the Secretary of the rea
sdry' respectfully submit that, as these duties
and penalties were collected and imposed by on
GERS of the Army and Navy, the right TO determin,
the Proprcty of their collection or imposition WOULD
be better vested in the Departments of War and.
the Navy In some, probably many of the cases
appeals wore originally taken by the parties inter
ested 10 the head Of the other of these epart
ments, and these appeals in some way SormaIIv or
informally disposed of. II is embarrassing for the
Secretary OF the Treasury TO determine how far
that disposition is TO be considered as intended w.
be hnal, and II so intended, how far il is his duty
under the law to reopen the case and decide L
anew.
In consequence of the recent alteration of the