New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-01-09


BIS The above, il Will be readily seen that upon an
equitable basis, and exercising fair and reasonable
oisornn alton in relation 10 the roads snd articles to
Re charged with toll, revenue can be derived for
the State from such source, to from $500 600 to
$3.50 eco which would materially and efectu Ally en-
hsrce the Csual revenues, and easole them 10 meet
ali e constitutional charges upon Them and provide
for cerniu item of expenditure casse. OF debts
which are not now, aud caunot, uuder the Cohstiu
ton. be provided for out of the Canal revenue.
rRApDs uror TIE RIvTSUr, ,yD INSPECTIONS or
CANAL BOATS .SD THEIR CARGOEs.
Some improve NE ut 10 the wOii be Great
ed if frauCs upon the revenues could be more ehec-
tually checked. 1t is very evident from an inspec-
ton OF the returns made 10 this Dtpatnent OF pro-
perry Transported the Canes II At the State has
been during the last, as well a. former fiscal care
largely defrauded III the revenues.
A sy.tem has been adopted, Of late, by fDrsard-r.
on the Canals which virtually nul,dss the provisions
OF Jaw requiring ust aid true bill OF lsdn. 70 be
rreeened TO the Coli, cior from whom clearance is
DEMANDED, sDd affords great f1ci tiles for fraud A
skeleton bill is prepared expressly for use ny tae
captain oh ain bis clearance ard to be exhibited
to Canal officers when demanded; and is made up By
general estimation, many times before the boat is
iosoed and not with particularly The true bill ia not
put into the captain hancs but s forwarded by N all
or express 70 the 10 such cases it very
easy matter 20 under estimate upon such skeleton
bill the weight OF articles charged with high rates Of
toll and over estiu ale the weight of those charged
with lower rate, and masking the aggregate estimate
of weg conform 10 the true weight OF tie cargo DO
error can be detected by veieh-lock, and the Canal
rev enues, consequently, suffer unless detected by
extraordinary vi, iaBce the part of the Canal Of
fcers Some cases Of such character have been dis
COY cred and in every csse the Auditor has directed
tie penalties 10 be enforced, and mas not regarded
the excuse of its being occs'oned by the system OF
trar sacfirC business: without intent 10 detraud
being Of Any aVsil. He considers the for arder in
prepa ing and furnishing the bill, and tho captain IA
presenting L. 10 guarantee and be responsible for It's
correctness aud must lie go held strictly. or the Law
EhE I'll IL t.Ffa
One mode adopted TO very great extent for such
purtose is clearing articles chargeable With high
rate OF toll as erti lies paving much lower ra';.
Another is, cODceaing articles paying high rat" OF
toll under others pay ing much lower rate aud oml'-
ing articles thus concealed from the bill OF iading
Some extensive fraucs OF such character have been
discovered and the full penalty Of the lag in every
case orcered 20 be enforced. The penalty Gov Is
treble toll e-tbird Of which Is given 10 the oicer
usking tie dpocveIy. This pen,y Is insufficient to
form proper protection, az penalty, to the state.
Those who sufficiently drhcnes and loose 10 their
habits 10 attempt such fraud, will with such yh,
penalty run tie hazard Of discovery think TX If dis
covered in one ns lance they will more than make up
the oss by their game IN those instances IN when sey
viii be undiscovered The penalty should, therefore,
be iIrtssed hy fcreilirg the boat and cargo or st
lsstt the articles attempted to be passed ,udulenuy
az the Presentation Of false bill Of lstlng might,
il sGdiii"D, be made ms1eme amor and punishable
I!ninGly.
An sdc,ioral remedy FOR tle prevention Of such
frsu6s III be fOUrd in taking such steps as may De
Necessary irsur6 greater vigil aace II the Inspection
Of hoets and il-Ir clrgCes.
The Office Of lisp ctor was created fer tie protec-
ton cf the revenue and the detection OF fraud L.
usy have been efeciuGl for such pGr9lse IN uines
gore BY But il is not so sry longer. Win bat Nv
honorable exceptions, the duties have been very In
differently oiscb srceo: srt il Lot Tor the VsI-
lance of other officers thsn Inspectors fs1d upon toe
rever ues vould have gone unchecked. IL IS lo' %
be disguised that the Office has been nes'si and
loskeo upon. 70 q very great exc nj. IS sinecdre
ard srewaId for political services AID he incua,
bents have therefore fels impatient at being called
upop 10 perform The legtInate cu-es spper.saiog TO
iteir Office Before the opeuing Of navisa IN the
present season q, the suggestion Of the Ardior Loe
Canal Board passed a regulation requiring In.
srectors 10 make weekly returns. under oath, OF
their iuspecticIs to the Auditor. IL vas hspei
"a; BY this ueans, more vigilance aud s;tvity
in the discharge Of TOE duties OF the Othce nisnt be
crested But the Auditor regrets 70 say thN y Ia.
proved q failure; AID that very large majority OF
tie returps show that tbe duties OF Inspector hsve
rested yery easily and lightly upon the time and con
tcsree. az mo,i OF the peambenis- As = IL not anc