Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-02-11
dieren. conclusions from those which h. intended .


committed on the revenue now have argued to prove a
they were PROBABLY exaggerared but can ba m d
tina! there are frauds practised in relation duties F
probably committed and 1t desirable 10 diminish
For although believe The proportIonae omonnt Of mem
growing smaller and smaller, and although believe or.
tenn OF appralsement Is growing more perecr &
wish TO do every thing that can reduce the
frauds 10 the minimum point. l am Willing 10 d. 0!
thing carry out the tariff Of 1916 fairly and without
inequality or injustice to any believe that the esrsb.
ment OF appraisers general would diminish the fnds
arise from undervalualicns and would be especially r
in producing more uniformity between the dif.rsn, sll1
would be much better tribunal for IN.
Of cases of appeals than two merchant appraisers oh
course would be above humanity II they did not lean tow
those of their class. They often have 10 az, TOO ~
PERSONAL temptation, as when they decide matters II
which, although they had any particular interest ye
would be establishing rule by which very they would
have 10 pay duties themselves.
There is another point of view in which believe ,bIs
Of appraisers would he eminentIv useful One of the .vl
which is complained of and which think ought be ms
died. and which believe this provision will remedy !.
of uniformity In the action oour revenue system
tween port and port. know that great complaints have
been made this head Reference was made In the rep,
Of the Secretary the four cargoes oil plneno brought A.
the tine und from the place; one 10 Boston ops
TO New York. 10 Philadelphia and one TO Baltimore
heapprases exchanged opinions 10 relation 70 them an
something like uniformity In three OF the ports bu, When
they 10 Baltimore the merchant appraisers said they had
right To deliver their opinion The appeal which shout
be final and conclusive They did so ind appraised car.
60 somewhat lower value than il had bsea appraised IN
the other ports There complaints said before
on this head lftlese merchant appraisers produce ds
n favor of their port by undeyau -!on howeye,
small IL will have the effect, ii il be changing 10
extent the course or in favor of their own
CITY, III Uch then expect them strictly irp,
a and if we constitute dsnteresed tribunal wa
ought 10 do IT, Such is the tribunal we wish now appoint,
The merchant Is be represented II merchant an
praser and The Government is 10 be represented ny Il
appraisers large. Ii there be difference between the
two the collector decides he decides when the ne
chant appraisers differ. In order this uniformity
these appraisers exchange they are 10 go 10 port
al one Time and 10 another al different time They
under such regulations the Secretary OF the Treasury
may prescribe, not inconsistent with the law and In otec.
10 The command OF the law.
Looking then The constitution and functions Of hi,
board and for the which have given believe that
important that appraisers should be granted an
the anxious 10 do because the Secretary of the ea.
sury himself says that without this baad he does not think
he system of 1916 upon the foreign
valuation fairly uniformly and equally 1t would be enough
for If he desired he has 10 execute the law and
additional expense would be small IL would be enough for
if he say, a" think, il do this, can
law prefer another system, but II you will give
The mems will endesvor execute the law fairly; think
can il fairly with this assistance, withoatl fear
cnnnotn Even differed in opinion in relation 10 tie
efficiency Of these means under sach circumstances would
him take your board oapprases take the means
feel be necessary in order execute the law fairly and
will i. cheerully But concur in opinion with The
Secretary it would aid him materially TO appoint these
appraisers, and organize them rs is proposed
will detain the Senate longer, as am anxious
have action the bill speedily possb!e but will offer
the amendments which have indicated and 50 far as en-
concerned, close the discussion a this point
So much have said IL peraps proper 10 say that
my action upon this might be placed upon Its
grounds and be supposed upon the admission
that there hud been likely TO be more frauds under
the present tariff than any other which we have had.
TABLE BEFORE REFERRED TO.
Period from. 1921 10 ls50-29 years nine months.
Imports consumed at home S27l 45l 92s
Exports of domestic produce 253i lo;,?52
1885 G43
Imports of bullion and specie S26S.4l9,s73