New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-09-30

have been driven from the bushes OF i'm porting
foreign merchandise, being unable % compete ~ira
tie di.honest practiSes that prevail AID whica our
present system fsvorE
The busiDers OF importing merchandise has fall
en- rapidly and permanently INFO the hsn3s OF for
eieD manufacturers and merchants, aud our zn
citizera are deprived OF lucrative employ mens in
consequence Of these Systematic frauds.
In the l,pt annual report from this department
several taben were inherited to illustrate etfccs
of the subscription Of duties the foreign value Of
merchandise in place Of specific dusie9. Taxing
tvo as examples of the operation of our present
fystem the attention OF the Senate ia invited TO shs
result, viz
N4DEIRA WINE.
For five mobthr ending seth November 1916 under spa
c{hc dute4-a average value per gallon ......,. 90
FOR seven ths tnotng 50tn June l947 under I'D
loren du'ies-sversge vaue per gallon .......... Al
For year ending S0th juue l349 under ad yoloren
duties average value per gallon. 40
For The wear ending 80thjUne 1s49 under I'D valcrem
duet-aversge Va ue per gallon. ................ 81
For pine month, endiEe Stat arch 1s5n,under sd va
loren 6uref-svefaEe Feue psr gallon. IS
BRAEDY.
For FIVE rnopthS ending 90ih November, 1a46 under
specific dGtes-Avert coat per gallon 81 OF
For seve1 months ending 5I'h June 1347 under ad
vaorem dutief-sverage per gallon ......... 90
FOR the year erdipg 50h June 1913 under ad vAlorem
dulles average cost per gallon 81
For the year endpg 50ih June 1879 under cd vslorem
dute.-average coat per gallon ............,..,. s.
For nine months ending Slst March, 1850, under ad
yhoIem dusies-everage cost per gelon......... 81
From inquiries instituted by thiG Department,
it was clearly shown that the value OF these erti-
cles did not decline in the countries from which
they were imported to the extent which the above
tables would indicate; nor did the prices at which
they were sold to consumers at ell conform TO the
declared values in the invoices and ensyles
The particulars of many cases OF the grossest
fraud have been furnished to the Department, and
the evidence ia conclusive, that 30 long as the
present ad valorem system ia continued, they Will
prevail
The appraisers in theseven principal ports. where
alone any appraisers are employed, have been ex.
cited to labor and vigilance In the highest degree
commendabe, and have been sustained by the de-
partment in their efforts.
There are, however, ninety five ports Of entry
where there are no appraisers. From these, very
few instances have been reported OF the detection
of frauds under Valuations while there ia every
to believe that they as frequent at these
porte ss at others. The increase, annually Of new
collection distriots, without appraisers, opens naw
avenues for the introduction of foreign msrchan
diae without sufficient protection to the revenue.
Many frauds have been detected, and the pc
nalties Imposed by law have been inflicted
seizures have been made, and, recently, prosecu.
tons of the offending parties have been COM
menced.
The faci itiea for ascertaining the true market
value of the great variety of foreign merchandise,
in the principal markets OF the countries OF pro
GuCtlOn or MANUFACTURE, are very nmtied a. OesI,
and are lesseDipg rapidly, as merchants OF known
character are forced TO abandon their busineds az
importers.
The means at the disposal of this Department
are entirely inadequate TO such examination OF
imports is will efectualy suppress the systematic
frauda known to be exseDaively perpetrased.
In conclusion, take tho liberty TO suggest that
adequate remedies for these frauds only be
provided by scts of Congress; that mRaly they at
zach to the system Of levypg ed valorem duties
upon the market value of merchandise in foreign
countries which it il almost impossible for the of.
fcers Of tbs Customs to ascertain under the moat
favorable circBmstances and that, practically very
few Of them pretend 70 accurate knowledge con-
corning them that the longer this syatem Is con-
tinued the weaAe r will become she restraints, and
the stronger the inducements to defraud the ttea-
curry.
Our dependence for revenue is now upon the re-
ceipts from dutes levied upon tho importation OF
foreign merchandise The rates OF duty are fixed
by law but the values upon which they are i'm
posed are left entirely TO interested foreigners.
l would, there fore, respectfully submit that
would, in my opinion be remedied by the substitd.
ton of home for foreign valuation OF dutiabe mer-
chandise. This change would place all importers
upon an equal footing in respect TO valuations for
duty; it woRd botn guard the revenue againat
most OF the fraudulent practices complained Of,
and tend to ita increase.
Although the period Of the adjournment OF Con
eress has been fixed and ia near at hand, ven.
ture to recommend that tbs change be made at the
present eesslon.
Kost resr !fnlv, your obadiert servant
THOMAS ooRWIN Secretary OF The 9sessury.
Hon W q XII c Pre- idenI OF tho Senate