New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-13
Chamber of Commerce.

A special meeting OF the CnamDer OF COM
merce was held Yesterday afternoon for the purpose OF
taking some action in regard TO the circular of the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury concerning the additional 80 per
cent duty imported goods to be levied after the h
ofsApr and until the new tariff goes into eiiect-a
period OF sixty days.
Mr.. STURGs Chairman OF the Special Committee,
presented the draft Of memorial from the Chamber Of
Commerce to Congress setting forth the grievances re-
suting from the late act construed by the Secretary
Of the Treasury, and asking TO he relieved therefrOn
The chief complaint Of the mcmorssts Is that the cir
cnar Of the Secretary decides that the act went into
effect from the time Of its passage, Friday April -
Though IL not signed by the President until even
ng) and that goods taken ont of bond at any time dur
ing that day would be subject To the additional 50 per
cent duty The decision Of the Secretary of the Treas
ury claims 10 have been based upon previous decisions
OF the Supreme Court upon this point
After the reading Of the memorial Mt SIuRGls maze
few remarks on the question, and concluded by say
ing that he thought the memorial would require To DC
amended before II was adopted.
Mr.. BLOODGOoD warmly opposed the memorial ahu
claimed that the trap" If any there was, had been
laid by those Importers who were in such haste 10 get
their goods out Of bond with view OF saving the J'Pr
cont duty which other importers would be conpeleu 70
pay. There had been no concealment about mo pas
sage of the law IL had been known weeks before TIC
act was contemplated. Ii had passed one house oi
Congress and there was no surprise or trap about H.
Ex-MayOr OrDYKE streBuOusly opposed the memorial.
because It imputed unworthy motives 10 the SECRETARY
Of the Treasury who IN his construction OF the act had
followed prcceieDts. and could not have rendered any
different decision from what he has even II he desired
so to do.
President Low at this time took the floor, ana ~
brief speech favored the memorial. arguing that the
decision Of the Secretary Of the Treasury unjust To
the merchants even If i Was legal and In hccofdahc,
with precedent lie believed that merchants "ouid hot
have entered their goods had they not supposed they
were entering them under the Old law Thousands
OF dollars worth of goods which merchants were re
quircd 10 pay 20 pr cent additional unti the new turn
goes into effect would perhaps under the new taIin,
not be taxed - per cenisOc 81 them perhaps nothing
1t gns this injustice that the Chamber proposed
70 memorable Congress asking them 80 To- cohsifue
g.. to- .uIfV
conceive that any insult was intended against tNe
honorable - rotary o.; the Treasury.
MI bLoopGOOD thought that the whole thing was IN
NUTSHELL tx merchants in their hur! to enter their
goods before the law passed, had cndeaNoTed 10 get
ahead 81 the Government ana because they didn't sue
coed they were loud N tlciI complaints ii was race
% see watch would get anc'a ana the uo'erneh' ID"
Mr. CoSKilyG opposed the memorial md said that The
decision OF tn secretary Of the Treasury WAS olAled
on decisions o. tie Suprrc Count, and ior TIE 1hhh
Der Of Commerce ~ undertake - appear thefeir1n
would be futile aud useless. Tho memorial contained
language which 49, dsrcspcctml 10 the secretary
Whose le character GId standing ought 70 SA4ed AN
Nj. GrDYKE ciilmcd that tie memorial characterized
tie decision Of the Secretary a. unjust and II iAe
Chamber WAS - sanction 10 tie diScre.it 81 such an
express lon would fall upon tie Chamber Of Commerce
and Upon Tie person ccusurcd. "hen II v as known
that bis decision WAS strictly IL GccoidAnco "lih Inc
Law.
Mr. LuDrAx lid not believe that there AM inien
ton Of ccnsuIing the Secretary OF the TrelsGfy but
ll!4all4NA 50 ~ % &c i''
construed the memorial in that light. he thought Lat
tie best way would be T. rc.er II back 20 the Com
m.ttec. and Ae would make a motion o. Tat ciioci.
AT this moment d. secretary tpoA the memorial
from the hands Of 81 the reporters who was copy
Ing H. rcmarking he did Il wish II understood
that this is not 10 be published rcerIing 10 The doc
umelD.
The motion 20 refer having been seconded. Mr.. Low
said be had lection 80 such ard ~ Tor him
sef II any member could fad person WHO had moro
uniformly ndorscd both the honesty and wisdom VI ihe
present SECRETARY 81 the Treasury than he had he would
Ike TO see him In concluding he heartily indoTscd The
policy OF Mr.. Chase. Arr further rcmarks from Mr..
SIUKGIs Capt MAsiIAlL and others tho nienorAi WAS
referred back. and the Chamber ADJOURNED