The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-03-01
Chamber OF Com nm 9 rec.


Chamber or Commerce.
YRAVDs Uf0R THB REVENUE Law, ETC.
Especial meeting Of tho Chamber OF Commerce wal
held yesterday a their rooms 10 hear tho report Of the
committee appointed 70 take into consideration the bill
now before Congress relative 70 the Revenue law.
Mr. A. A. Low in the absence Of The President, occu
pied tho chair.
M. CBAmss Gown read Tho report, which is as soi
lows
The committee 70 whsn was referred the bin now DO
fore Congress, entitled - bill 70 prevent and punish
frauds upon the fevenuo," &C., &C., beg leave report
that they have examined with much the limit
ed time allowed them would permit the Senate bill No.
SOC, reported by the Committee Finance The 10th
inst, and which has since passed the Senate and 10
before the Judiciary Committee OF the House, and also
substantially the same bill, No. 1886. introduced m the
House by Mr. Washburne and referred 70 the Committee
ON Commerce February 10.
Your committee 10 deeply Impressed with the IND
pornce Of the subjects embraced In the bills above
ferred 70.
No community DO more interested IN protecting and
UNFOLDING the honest commerce OF the country than the
merchants Of New York. thor capital and good name are
invested in ii they pcdgod ala and assst In the
establishment Of al proper barriers and safeguards
against frauds in the Of the country the in
porat0n OF because frauds in tho revenue
work like fraud on the honest importer and while your
committee find in these bills things 10 commend,
they cannot ta 70 in them evidence OF hasty and M
copsderate legislation. and besve that the passage OF o.
ther OF them. without material amendments, would be
productive II evil rather than good Your cono ee has
not had tme and VII not pretend 70 anaiy As time
the whole BID, bat wiz take section or t@o - nistsa
tive Of It's character. stsSs.s.sS.
For instance seven provides that upon afhda
VI that any fraud on the revenue has q any time been
warrant directed 70 the Collector Of tho Port directing
him his agents 70 enter any place or premises where
INVOICES books papers deposited and tko and
carry the away be inspected and retain them aS
hong he may think necessary. Your committees is Of
the opinion that such provision is not called for under
any circumstances. Any merchant, however innocent,
might, at the instance OF any evil disposed person, DC
ruined under such law, by having ais books and pa
tala and vi business arrested.
pose merchant has received and entered a. the custom
House an invoice OF merchandise CONSIGNED to hm for
sale Oh shippers account He has paid duty on the in
quantity and value which he supposed correct
but it out that discrepancy error is dis
the honesty Of the consignor but which, II be
present. he might remove by explanations; or, suppose
accuse his Of some ATTEMPT to defud The revs
Dueunder such law all his books and papers could
be taken away and retained at the discretion
OF the Collector or Solicitor OF the Treasury.
Such q law would give power liable TO great aud fire.
ent abuse and the hands OF INSCRIPTIONS persons,
whose chief object pecuniary gain, would be made the
engine Of extortoD
IN the opinion OF your committee this provision, i
adopted would lead to corruption and oppression.
Sec. 13 takes away the merchants right 10 hold the
Collector responsible for his acSa right which the com
mon law gave him. and which, under no circumstances.
should be taken away him " in the power OF the
Collector and power every day exercised 10 make the
merchant pay whatever duty he sees ut to impose and NC
SasSer da av ses b"w
gal the demand may be- and 1t 10 now proposed when
merchant has been put TO tho trouble delay and expense
Of bringing action TO test the legality OF such cxacton
aud has obtained q judgment in the courts OF the
United States against the Collector, to take
.has n ts esecuon the
not pay u, and place HIM entirely at the will and
mercy 81 The government, and OF Collector whose
court The plea for taking away this right Of the ner
chant, which he has enjoyed since the formation Of
supposed under the direction Of the Secretary
Of the Treasury, and pay into the Treasury all moneys
The this is Thar person obliged 20 take the
Office 81 Collector and whoever does take il must bear It's
burdens
Again, if tho Collector acting under the directions OF
the Secretary ofhe Treasury duties illegally that
officer bound to indemnify and cave tho Collector harm
.oss. but the merchant would have claim which he
could enforce aganstthe Secretary bu. would be LETT
trely the mercy and caprice OF that officer and his
subordnates ind then again would be opened door
eS.orton the shape Of commissions ana fees 10
the payment by the government OF judgments obtained
IN the United States courts. II the government in.
tends 20 be honest and TO pay the judgments
Of ia own courts, Why deprive q merchant Of the
power copect them Has that power been abused
If any abuse OF this power be shown 10 justify it,
let there DO provso that execution shall not issue till
thirty days after dnal Judgment. This would give all
needul time for the government 70 pay the amount and
thus save the Collector from all trouble.
Your committee would recommend TO any person who
avors this scheme to deprive the merchant Of his remedy
tor Illegal oppression 70 read the opinions Of JudgeSto
and Judge Mclean. in Howards Reports page 49,
And your committee respectfully offer the following re-
Resolved That the report Of the committee appointed
on the 2lsl instant, 10 whom referred the bill
before Congress prevent and punish frauds the
be accepted and adopted and that duly authenti-
Gated copies thereof be transmitted " the proper
mees OF the Senate md House Of Representatives. Of
Ugted States.
AL Of winch Is respectfully submitted,
HENRY ahSS: s :. Nall. Committee.
On notion the report adopted ordered printed and
copies transmitted 10 Congress-.
Mr. Low stated that the honorary directors az the AZ
antc Telegraph Company had asked permission 20
py the Of the Chamber FOR meeting "Wednesday
next, which permission WINS granted. /.
Mr.. TorcEY alluded 10 the organization OF society
under the name Of the United States Commercial ant
Statistical Society "a circular ri which read,
king that II would be well for the Chamber to be
presented it. The next meeting Of the society u
DC held at Washington, on March 2.
On motion, Messrs Stevens, Conkn and Toucey wov.
appointed committee from the Chamber 10 attend III,
meeting.
Mr. SrtRGks stated that his intention the mex
regular meeting to call attention the OF tn
Legislature OF Illinois relative opening communication
with Canada by N tho Ottawa and St Lawrence
report some action in tho matter.
The Chamber then adjourned