The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-20

hwy b.. In the hight Of reason appears 70 ms tho one
AZ the time OF her departure from New York, tho Lyoa
nails ed her cargo were Of the value q perhaps not less
responsible oTpll the damages. Captain Dunbar and
his o~ ners hkd supposed themselves seoject 70 sum
oon,sqas,ces IN France ~ very cie mat inc nnr.ss
then that the ownors Of the Lyonnais had brought their
action against the master aad owners Of the Adratc
eve upon the estatemens Of facts that the &C
ton would have resrlted in verdict for damages not
the very disagreement the practice Of Admiralty Courts
different psohs as to the rules Of damages and lab
~ substantial why the present varied systems
shoul' give way to general rule safer and better be
sides would ask the owners Of the lyounas, now that
they have their verdict they expect ever 70 realse IT,
beyond what the Adrssc under condemnation In one OF
But may be that every nation having is laws in
this relation ana these having come through the channel
Won he hopeless one to effect any radical change
This may be So but think is our DUTY to make the trial
II we are content to let tbe difficulty pass into another
generation may find additional obstacles there. II II
to be the work Of time the begun the sooner
nmay be accomplished. 1t may be difficult st first TO
vince lawmakers merchants and underwriters Of the full
,mpropretes OF the laws OF which complain. but when
they see that these laws much mpractcahle and
verdicts under them OF so e value while they must
work evil and that continually in the international com
mercal relations OF the world, think they may DO
changed
treaties among nations To exclude from pecunary
liability all persons and property which may be
criminal penalties (Which the guilty shall suffer
only after trial and conviction IN their own country
upon masters and marines who shall be guilty OF wial
and premedtated depredatons upon life and property
upon the high seas whether by collisions other wise
snd rhsu'd petition the President of the United States
TO open the peedul negotiations upon the subject
And should mcmoralze Congress for the passage Of
law whereby ~ claim for damages arising from scc
dental collisions upon the lakes and OF the
United States, shall be maintanabs by owners agents.
underwriters other persons for losses or damages
by one against another Of such coded vessels And pro
that he I'D
each of such vessels had made separate disaster
without contact with the other And further, TO provide
criminal penalties for all wlful and malicious acts which
| may be committed In the premises
With these views l move the appointment Of a COM
mAee ~ further consider the subject and report TO the
| Chamber
Mr. BRowKR in submitting this document said tha, the
OF Captain Durham hard one and he for
felt sympathy for him. He evidently did not know
that the act he committing akin TO piracy. Ne
urged on the Chamber the proprety of nskng the Pre
dent of the United States to ntercede with the French
| government in behalf Of Captain Durham.
The CHAIR thought this matter had better be done out
side the Chamber. It was delicate subject to HANDLE
but he had doubt but that the body the New
merchants would do what they could for the unfortunate
| captain.
strong sympathy for Captain Dunham which would no
doubt find appropriate expression.
Here the matter dropped.
The following are the of the committee appointed
to port the subject introduced by Mr. BrowerJohn
aes r. Gsnneii, Capt aarshaiI, Thomas TlestOn A. D.
| Nelson.
|
| The following report submitted by ROYAL PHEIps--
The Committee Of the Chamber n Commerce, 10 whom
wss referred the petition Of the importers OF the city Of
New York and its vicinity 10 the honorable Secretary Of
the Treasury praying relief from the delay
pensc they suffer N the despatch Of goods at the
| the limited time allowed them has permitted
They have had several interviews with the Collector
and the special agent Of the Treasury Department have
examined employees in the Custom House, merchants
clerks, Custom House brokers and merchans' carmen
They have also at the suggestion of the special agent OF
messenger through the different forms lately adopted
the delivery Of goods from the Custom House stores Nos
T. H. Is and Is Broad street. and bearing carefully
mind the first grand requisite, the security Of the
revenue they have, come TO the conclusion
that many economies OF time end labor might be intro
duced the of the Custom House business
| In q matter Of much Importance, however, your
committee would not think IL advisable in this Chamber
attempt point out what particular forms of those
now practice should be abolished and especially
at every step which the committee has taken in
this matter has had and be con-
vinced of the sincere desire of the Secretary OF the
Treasury the Collector and the special agent 10 do every
thing in their power for the advantage Of the importer
which they might consider compatible with the efficient
| execution of the revenue laws OF the country.
The petition OF the importers refers especially to the
numerous forms which have to be gone through with
the liquidation of the duties and the granting OF the
permit for the delivery OF the goods and II the present
this Stage, being delivered 10 the importers clerk, who
would send his TO the corresponding delivery door
for his goods the principal cause Of the complaints of the
importers both a. regards the unnecessary number oil
forms, and the employment OF their own carmen would
| be removed
But your committee are of the opinion that the great
importance OF New York In its relation the of
the country and Its business generally, requires some
system OF ranssctng business at the Custom House for
while In every other department of human industry,
economies OF time and labor have been introduced here
| the reverse bss been the case.
Your committee net nsensible 70 the difficulties
which Secretary OF the Treasury and Collector Of Gus
toms have 10 encounter IN supplying themselves with eff
cicnt and intelligent employees, in a country where
situation in public Office Ia looked for the legitimate
reward Of political services but the immense importa-
tons which now take place at New York not only war
rant but actually require special stem for the trans
action Of it, Custom House business and while your com
mttec would recommend 10 the Chamber It's approval Of
the petition of the importers would also respectfully
suggest the proprety OF asking the honorable Secretary
| OF the Treasury 10 submit the whole question OF re-
forms IN the manner OF transacting the business Of
| Of the New York Custom House 70 committee which
might consist Of the Collector the Special Agent Of the
PREPAYMENT come OF the old employees who thanks TO
the present and past ADMINISTRATIONS have been retained
In their places 70 the great advantage OF all having bust
10 transact with the Custom House, land two or
three practical business men With this brief exposition
OF their view, your committee submit the following reso
Resolved That the petition Of the importers Of city
Of New York and its vicinity TO the Hon Howell Cobb,
s s 1 70 p public
stores in this city be, and is hereby, approved and re-
Resolved That the honorable Secretary Of the Treasury
be respectfully requested 10 appoint committee, 10
st of the Collector Of the PORT the Special Agent Of the
department the Deputy Naval Ohcer, one from the Ap
prssers' Department and Deputy Collector who,
with importer, general merchant an one Custom
House brokerthe last three 10 be named by the Cham
ber-sball report TO him plan for conducting the bust
Of the Custom House Of the city OF New York which
will combine efficiency IN the execution of the Revenue
laws, with simplicity OF form and despatch 10 the com
mercial community. ROYAL PHELPS,
ANSON G.. PHELPS,
| Special Committee or the Chamber Of Commerce.
This matter lsl for Consideration.
REvENrE LAvs
Mr. DAVID OcnrS said he had received fourteen bills
the laws from Mr. John Cochrsne. He asked the
members 10 assist him In oyerhanling them.
Mr. BRowtR complained that the reports ~ speeches
made In the Chamber nj the last meeting inaccurate
lie hoped the reporters would be more careful in putting
down what actually said and not what they though,
| said.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that q general thing tho
| speeches much improved by passing through the
reporters hands.
Several other members took the same view
Mr. BRowER referred 10 mkreports Of the last meeting
In CT the Wall street journals lie Duld have