The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-25
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.

1 THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
Interesting Hints and Suggestions to tho
Hon. Preston King-Nseded Reforms.
On the Inauguration OF Mr.. King as Collector Of Gus
toms at this port took occasion 70 call his attention
to some OF the abuses that existed the Custom House.
suggesting the necessity OF immediate action n seeking
to correct them, in order that this Institution might
more occupy the position business community claim
should hold TT 4rt '-.-.t-t.afii-e'i sNl.AfA
He has made good beginning by breaking up the
system Of favortsm In the carting and lIgherng Of
bonded goods, but he has not gone quite far enough
even in this direction. ....,....,
Several thousands Of badges have been sold by
one connected with this branch OF the customs cart
men at the rate Of eight dollars each which less
than one dollar to manufacture, and IL is understood
that government did not furnish them II is true, the
cartmen were the gamers by the transaction because
with their purchase Of badge they obtained special
privileges to cart all bonded goods to the utter excu
sion of the Importers own camen who were compelled
to remain idle; but who furnished the badges and
pockeed the twenty thousand dollars or more realized
by this nice little financial operationf
Mr.. King has the thanks Of the entire mercantile
munty for correcting this single abuse hut it will do
TO stop here There many other bureaus that need
overhaung and must again call his attention well
as the Secretary Of the Treasury to the In which
business is managed the Seizure Department, the
workings Of the internal machinery Of which, fear
better to the skfu engineers In charge than
to those who responsible for their acts OF this de-
partment continual complaints are being made by our
merchants and to show the SNods operandi OF doing
business there take few Of the many that have
come to our notice. and give the exact stereotype pro
gramme
n scJy ie To frnun cd
the Deputy Collector charge Of the Seizure Bureau,
who at sends a memorandum Of the Same to the
appraisers asking them report the home value OF the
goods seized which appraisal is always much as and
often more than, their actual cash value The claimant
s then told that he obtain his goods by paying the
appraised value and Is also informed that they have
been valued at gwen sum- The claimant OF course.
objects TO the extoron and refusal to pay is very
quietly asked the question, how much he will pay for
their release This answered, he is told that the ap.
praisement will be returned to the appraisers, with
request that they will correct their former report by
substituting the probable amount such goods would
bring If sold at public auction, and that settlement
will be made on the basis of their report. i f-rc
The papers then sent back for correction and, by
singular coincidence in almost every the amended
report corresponds with the amount the importer has
said he Is willing to pay 70 get his goods
II has also been practice Of those In charge
Of this department TO recommend to parties who may
have been unfortunate have their goods seized
tain lawyers brokers, who supposed TO possess
special and intimate knowledge Of the revenue law ap
picabe In these particular cases. but who in reality be-
long TO the ring II s well known fact among the
members Of the bar that Il Is useless for any lawyer
in the ring 10 attempt TO do any business with this de-
passment and should they undertake H. their clients
quietly told that they had better employ certain gentle
well known for their great In the settlement
Of seizure cases" In this connection the question might
be very appropriately asked under what Law has the Col
ccOr his subordnates the power 10 sete any Of
seizure without the sanction of tho Secretary Of the
treasury BY reference 10 the law, United States
Statutes at Large. page TAO, ssc,n g. twill be that
such settlements must be made subjcct the approval
of the Secretary of the Treasury" The object OF the
law plaoe the power In the hands OF the Secretary
but by species Of Custom House reasoning II would
appear that u has got beyond It's legitimate limits, and
that the whole machinery is has bcen controlled and
managed by a subordinate, who, reward for the pc
cuar acutcness he has displayed has fully earned the
reputation he bears. On well the three per cent on
value Of goods forfeited he has received.
We throw out these hints for tho benefit Of the Coles
tor who feel convinced will at set 10 work
remedy the evil so loudly complained Of and continue
the work Of reform until he shall have convinced
merchants that he spoke truthfully when he said he
among not 10 STEAL but 70 collect the revenue