New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-10-05
THE MERcHANrg' MEMoRrAr.


THE MERCHANTS MEMORIAL.
Telegraphic intelligence from Washington
seems to render it certain that the CONNER
oil delegates, from New Orleans and other
Southern cities, have failed in their efforts to
procure modification Of the existing regula-
tons in reference to the collection of the tax
on cotton. The reasons assigned are that the
attorney general thinks that the cotton co1lee-
ton districts must necessarily conform, under
che law, to the districts established for the col
lection Of revenue from other sources and that
the secretary Of the treasury thinks that very
great inconvenience would result from Q
change, at this time, in the limits of the dis.
tricts, when the collection of the revenue has
already been begun, and the officers have
already been designated under the existing
| system.
We consider it extremely unfortunate that
the present onerous restrictions upon the
movements of cotton were not greatly modi-
fed. They weigh heavily upon the planter and
the merchant, and are, we think, equally in
furious to the government. But the determine
tion to adhere to the existing forms, renders
it Improbable to discuss, at present, the pro
priety Of any change. We have only to accept
the facts as they are and to endeayor to work
under the present regulations in such man
ner as to diminish the hardships which they
impose, as far as we possibly can.
Each merchant and planter WILL of course,
decide for himself the readiest means of NOV
ing the cotton which is seeking q market.
From what We learn, the difficulties surround
ing the question, amount, in some localities,
to temporary embargo upon the movement
Of the staple. Weighers and assessors have
not yet reached some of the points to which
they have been assigned. Considerable guam
titles Of cotton are accordingly awaiting,
in exposed condition, the arrival Of these
officers without whose previous action and
permission, the cotton can be shipped only at
the hazard Of confscation.
We have heard, too, that some Of the reye-
nue. officers in the country are attempting to
control the shipmentof Of cotton, not only topaz
ticular houses, but on specified transports.
We have heard Of one instance where an as
SCISSOR issued permit for the shipment of
cotton To New Orleans with the proyiso that
the boat must stop at Baton Rouge and chat
the tax must be paid there. Under the pres
ent system We must look for the preparation
Of these and Of similar abuses. Many Of the
sub-assessors and ub-collectors, will proba-
BY seek il various ways to withhold their
sanction to shipments on the part Of the plan
ter until they shall have received a sufficient
gratuity to influence 6heir Judgment as to the
propriety Of permitting the shipment. In.
other cases the planter will probably be COM
PEELED to submit to unaccoun table delays in
the weighing and marking Of his crop unless
he may be willing to spur the dilatory weigh
ers into activity by means Of an acceptable
bonus These are some Of the evils of the
present complicated system where amongst
SO many public agents, it is not probable that
all should consult the public welfare in pre-
ference to their individual interests,
But we think a proper and liberal admins
tration Of the law on the part Of the collector
OF internal revenue at this and other impor-
tant ports viii lend greatly to ameliorate this
unfortunate condition of affairs We are
gratifed to believe, from what We have learned
If the collector at this point, that he has every
disposition to meet the views of the planters
md Of the merchants as far as his official in
will permit. A strict supervision,
N his part of the conduct Of the revenue Off
sers Of the districts under his control Will tend
yreatly to regulate their action and prevent |
rauds on the government or imposiGons on the
planter; and we doubt not that he will inyes- |