The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-17

Ii cannot be doubted that rate Of duty higher on
many articles than that paid by the present law might be
extraordinary influx OF foreign merchandise for the last
year and the first quarter OF the present one must be re-
Es,dsd a. CONCLUSIVE proof nat an increase 2, aGnes 50
the same amount OF imports. is entirely practicable,
That such Increase will be found necessary 10 the de-
mands OF the treasury is believed to be beyond doubt
unless Congress shall discontinue many oil the objects OF
expenditure which originated in territorial
equally Sp ies and ana. o. the
From the foregoing considerations, the department
would submit the following notifications Of our present
T. A change in the present ad valorem system. which
should impose specific duties upon all articles to which
such duties may be safely applied with home valuations
upon all such as are necessarily subject TO ad valoem
H. II the principle Of specific duties shall not be
adopted that The home valuation instead Of the foreign
should then be applied to all imports subject TO ad vaoem
I'LL II neither OF the foregoing changes shall be thought
rates Of duties should be Increased great variety Of
articles, which will be found could bear such increase
with the suary effects upon both trade and revenue
would undoubtedly correct many OF the Inequalities OF
the present system; place all importers whether pur-
% he s"
frauds which are easily pepetrated under existing
laws. and insure stability and permanent increase OF the
revenue. They are therefore earnestly commended TO
the favorable consideration Of Congress.
In any system il is believed that experience has settled
enter into system Of revenue laws Among these
that all raw material should be admitted al moderate
rate OF duty. when assessed at all; that all
rated articles should be assessed at higher rates OF duty
than the average OF manufactured articles and that all
articles composed Of the material should pay in gen
er1l the same rates OF duty
In order to insure uniformity IN the business of the
custom houses and equality in the vauations under any
system earnestly recommend the creation OF corps Of
principal ports Of entry in the United Staes, from time TO
time. with power 10 correct improper valuations and pre-
scribe rules for the local appraisers.
Public Warehouses.
BY the Joint resolution of the 18th February last the
Secretary OF the Treasury authorized TO dispose of
the bonded warehouses leased by government,
before the first OF January next on the best practicable
The leases here referred to are Of warehouses New
York and Boston the annual rents Of which amount to
$l05,4l5 in New York $4s, 1879 SO In Boston
Although the power conferred is not limited ii has
been deemed best to report to Congress that these ware
houses have been offered at the rents which the United
States bound TO pay without being able to dispose OF
them at those rates
So far offers have been made they do not amount to
would q % Ss . to
gress direct what shall be pursued and in the
event Of peremptoy disposition Of these warehouses
being ordered that an appropriation DC made tor any loss
Il On the iHh February. ls4o, Mr. Secretary Walker
warehousing Of merchandise under the act Of 9Th An.
gust 1s46. The 18th section OF these instructions d.
Teced that "at those ports where stores are owned
leases of which have not expired and been cancelled. in
compliance with the instructions OF this department.
said stores being classified in these instructions as class
he collectors ,oin entry for warehousng first H said
re With such goods as proper TO Dc stored rssn due re-
s~dssy had % M description and character Of The goods and
The officers OF the customs have during the past year
enforced these directions to the manifest Inconvenience
and the earnest responsiveness OF merchants and
the propretors OF private bonded warehouses isevi
dent that 70 compel an importer 70 deposte his merchan-
disc in such warehouses the United States may either
dsoksging vessel mu IN many lead 10 great
psas 70 work virtual denial oil the warehousng priv.
lege, II the United States have entered into leases OF
warehouses at exravagant rents, or al points that do not
the importer it would proper that the
less should be borne by the public and not thrown upon
are not entitled 10 any preference beyond what their
greater safety or better management may deserve and
The facilities OF the warehousng system are now ex.
tensvey enjoyed, and may be greatly increased with adj
vantage to the importer and safety to the government
essct these ends would respectfully recommend that
original importation and entry be extended TO three years
and with the privilege OF export TO any foreign country
without the payment of duties While the drawback
system was in operation merchandise allowed the
benefit Of drawback exported within three years from
A he warehousing system has superseded that of
drawbacks, this extension OF time will be in accordance
with the former practice Of the government and may be
granted without endangerng the security oil the revenue
would also recommend that provision be made by law
TO relieve importers from the payment OF duties upon mer
: chandIee destroyed by hfe IN bonded warehouses.
In order TO every unnecessary restriction upon
commerce. and render the transaction OF business at the
custom- houses simple and economical, would respect
fully recommend that all custom house fees be abolished
~ well those that chageable upon the registering
enrolling, and licensing OF vessels those relating TO the
entry, werehousng, and transportation OF merchandise
BY The act OF ID March, 1885, IT was PROVIDED that IN
lieu Of the fees, enouments, salary. and commissions
now allowed by law 10 any collector or surveyor OF any
dieirc in northern, northeastern, and northwestern
akes and rivers each collector aforesaid shall
receive annually in full compensation for these services.
amount equal 10 the entire compensation received by
such officer during the past year."
Under this provision, all custom house fees were abo
shed In the collection districts embraced by this act and
now recommended that similar provisions be extended
10 all the collection districts.
In view of the revenue derived from imports, the
amount OF these fees is comparatively small, being less
than $500 600 per annum while their collection in small
is OF great annoyance TO those who pay
them. would also direct the attention oil Congress 10
the numerous custom house oaihs and bonds consular
certificates and other requirements with which sys
TEN - burdened rendering at once complicated and vex-
atious.
II we would promote foreign commerce. and secure
for vessels their full share OF the freghtng OF
own products, and those Of other nations, should be
careful every mpedment and extend every ia
/, cility which affects this intercourse.
The changes in our laws which have been named will
be OF essential benefit TO all who interested in the
privileges granted by warehousng system; and IL.
in addition, should dispense with the oaths. bonds,
and certificates that appeain TO entries OF merchandise
at the foreign value, and adopt the value in the
United States should relieve the business OF import
ing merchandise OF greatest embarrassment and our