The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-03
the TARIFF TROUBLES.

Confusion at the Custom House Yester-
day Goods Brought by the Same Yes
sci Subjected To Duty Under Different
Tarins-Great Annoyance to the Mer-
chsnts-Clerks I'm . neutrality-suspicious.
for the Confederate States Not TO be
Entered for Transportation, &c., SO.
The Morrill, tariff scarcely had any thing OF trial
Monday compared TO that which 1t received yesterday
Therefore those who were very much annoyed the
occasion decidedy put Of temper the
latter Our readers will doubtless inquire what has
occurred now TO vex the merchants than they
before acquainted with? WE'LL one thing if not more.
They expected that goods shipped boart the
vessel could be liable to be charged under two
different tariffs; yet so It is merchant of this city
had goods from Hamburg, and also from Souhamp
per steamship Borussia. When making his entry at
the Custom House he found that the slight difference in
the dates of the bills Of lading caused him this annoy
ance. The bills of ladiDg from Hamburg bore date
March IA, day before the steamer sailed but those
from Southampton unfortunate enough to have the
date April 49, The tariff takes effect goods imported
by foreign vessels as follows
Sec 80. And be it further enacted That all goois,
and merchandise actually shipboard and bound
TO the United stats within fifteen days after the passage
Of this act shal be subject to pay such duties pro
vded by law before and at the time of the passage of
this act
The tariff act approved and became law
March 2, 1861 although duties not to be collected
before April /. The fifteen days brought the date l.,
March IT, 1851 therefore the English shipments had
pay the duty, although the Hamburg
rated under the old. Another piece of injustice might
have been found in the shipments from Havre Some
goods put the tug-if may he guided by the
dates of the bills of adngon the 18th Saturday and
others the 18th (Monday) The former rated
der the old tariff the latter under the new although the
goods in both not actually board the b.
russia until she arrived at Southampton, which
Tuesday March 49, The goods shipped at Souha npton,
from the British markets. could not possibly be put
board until the vessel arrived at the port yet they must
per force pay the tariff rate. one of the Havre
shipments placed board, it is believed,
Saturday evening, but the bills Of adng could not be
signed till Monday and the merchant here, not there,
pay for the mishap OF the shipping Office being
closed.
Similar Of annoyance win take place with regard
the goods brought to this city by the New York Her
Bremen cargoes have bills OF ladng bearing dates
before March Is, but those from Southampton must
cessary be to the GOTH Here again. the goods brought
by the vessel will have to be under the old
and tariffs. How merchants will be satisfied
with this arrangement we cannot yet say.
Some amusing yesterday of the
entry clerks desks One case invoice Of many
"tumua' Of nuts. The tumula is a measure; the
conversation ensued between the clerks
'How many pounds of nuts 60 TO a tumuaS"
"An depends whether the nuts green or dry"
SHOW can tell that?''
task the merchant and take his numbers. II you do
not think them high enough, clap extra ten per
cent, and charge the duty on the sum total"
Now this all very well for the clerks to talk SO
but how the merchant would have felt had he heard the
conversation is better to be imagined than described
specify the weight to allow of the ten per
cent addition. similar of intricate cal
culation occurred in shipmen. of hemp seed
which invsiced in quantities under some particular
denomination. The duty had to be rated upon every
bushel of hftytwo pounds The first thing to
tain the number Of pounds in the said quantity then
duce to bushels and charge the duty Oh the poor
clerk.
One brokers boy, while our reporter was present.
brought up entry of goods board The Borussa
ing in his possession bill OF adDg bearing date March
IT, He had been there before with other entries unfor
tunatey accompanied with bills of ladny of the 18th and
18th
"Ah, ha'" said the boy, CHATS the 18TH Now that
comes under the old tariff
am take that said the entry CLERK.
"You must was the reply.
"No, must not . said the clcrk.
"Then of goes your head" replied tue young urchn
he ran of.
But the entry subsequently passed.
Another case was eutry for "extract or COAL
new, beautiful dye lately introduced Now the pur-
port Of the tariff supposed to admit all extracts used
in dyeing free Of duty the clause is thus worded
EXTRACT of indigo extract Of nader extract and de
coc.ons of logwocd and other dyewoods not otherwise
provided for-free"
The clerk said that the article was not specified
ats extract for dyeipg,' asserted the merchant
ais 1t of nd'gos''
uNou
as it Of nader"
0Non
rs IL OF wood"
ayes, eighty altered
"Coal is not wood no how You FIX IL. SO you will
have to pay duty of 90 per FOR this ARTICLE
manufactured wholly part not otherwise provided
for "
You don, mean that, do your"
eyes, do"
ssweil, then, the dyers will grumble, you'l See"
And so the conversation ended. We have
doubt the dyers will grumble, and 50 will the ladies,
for by this duty the beautiful soferino, Magenta
and mauve coors win be all but prohibited
''what the difference between precious stones and
GLACIERS diamonds" cries out an entry clerk
"pont know don't see any difference" Is the re.
Spouse.
"Dlmonds are included under the head OF precious
stones are they uot:''
al suppose so'
twe here are precious stones set, required to
pay five per cent precious stones real false in
metal, twenty-five per cent and gaizers diamonds, set
or not set per cent what the OF this differ
euces"
s'Ask Mr. Morrill,; he only Knows
Many other similar scenes TO The above occurred
through the day showing plainly that The taa will cause
endless confusion IL il should continue In force ong.
We once more to the amendment desk.
II is expected that bureau will have to be made
OF this branch Of the service. There will be the hrcad
counting clerk, the square yard aiuster the 'weght
AID measure hycr,' and other titled gentlemen "to,
10 mention" The following form has been
done away With, and all amendments have now to be