The New York herald., 1867-03-13
CUR CUSTOM HOUSES.


CUR CUSTOM HOUSES.
--~~~~~~>>~~~~~>~~~~-->-~~
The organization OF the Custom Houses OF tho United
siatcs and the rules governing the same, arc con-
gomerac Of the legislation regulation and tradition Of
over sixty years. patchwork, like Joseph's coat Of
many coors, but not, may suppose that coat TO
TO have been Of certain harmony Of parts but rather
like old garment. worn fre,,ed and ougrown.
laid and underlined, reced out heightened and enlarged
with addenda, large small old new by persons not
always skilled in the art sarora The folly OF putting
now cloth on an old garment was mentioned OF old. In
this modern patchwork tho joining of the old and the
now has caused many rents, through which the dis
honest have been tempted to thrust their fingers.
Tho organization OF Custom Houses laid tho
statute OF $780, the provisions OF which, to good
tent, still In force siuca that time, almost yearly,
there have been amendmen ard additions with copous
delegations OF authority to the Secretary Of the Treasury
establish rules, regulations Many Of these amend
ments concocted to suhscrve private interests
vague theories passed By Congress without the
fullest understanding OF all the circumstances and many
OF our Secretaries may be said withou. deosation,
reclncss Of view which characterized tho distinguished
man who first held that position.
Tho country has been growing rapidly for tho past
sixty seventy ycars and Its commerce has kept pace
with Una. Growth. What was then matter Of thou
pear high tinlc that tho organization OF custom
houses, which have to do with that commerce, should
be modernzcd II not reorpanized, and the rules and
regulations OF the Treasury Department. touching
commercial relations and the routine OF Custom House
requirements thoroughly overhaued. What is correct
and what Is wanting, supply. Tho merchant in
his counting house and in his array OF force
to superintend his out door work-ju every
department OF his business--has tho best sys-
tenn he devise, or which be can md has been de-
OF sixty SINCE and his retainers are not tho dull
oil enand boys Of tho former ago. Hc chooses his en-
wishes them 70 on. Tho merchant, repeat has his
system, the rarts OF which in harmony with each
Other viii bear examination and s not necessary
for him In any matter 10 answer II do so only because
nv father and fAthcvs father did - before me- What
would b thought Of large mercantile establishment
whi,h should hold TO the method Of bookkeeping and
accounts OF sixty years since, anil 70 verify the correct
ness OF is ransaclions should have corresponding
board Of accountants, involving, the necessity Of
duplicate bills, memoranda, checks vouchers and
records The manufacturer OF the present day has hts
system and though thousands or spindies are sretcn-
the sheetng, still not shuttle or spindle is dlo
Everything Is In Its place and cvery part Of the vast
machine animate and inanimate move together ms ono
great whole. Ho who cotton mill could gov
ern empire. but hc could do neither without system
adapted 10 tho present circumstances and harmonious
in all Its parts To cotton mill Of The present day,
with all the lights and experiences OF sixty years ago,
woHd be sorry business as sorry business does Old ioSy-
The charges or venalIty and incompetency In some
Custom House officials has boon often made Tho voices
Of many who have Suffered and the mucrings Of othon
have crdeavoed not 10 make the matter for
themselves bv noisy complaints have been beard. Re-
tee after commites or Congress has come nom WasS
ingop Solicitors Of the Treasury and Treasury agents
have been permanent institutions within the precincts Of
tho Custom House for years st, Is notorious that
tho evils which they undertook TO ferret out still exist n
So soon as they enter custom house they arc encrcIed
by the ring" and they got no information which s NOT
furnished ey or prcc'sed rengh @ that I'm medium %
DELAYED and swinded but burdened with business cares
having understanding with each other touching the
common nuisance and fearing the present order OF
things will continue they do not care to make
the that be and prejudice themselves by taking
emulate tho martyrs fate Custom House brokers know
that they peach they will be taboocd and tho solicitor,
and agent agent, find
their very tho dishonest clcrk will by his pile OF
bogus entries, simulated papcrs assertions Of the nccos-
sy OF order and affected pross OF business so embar
ra;s delay the merchant that to got his present
pressing matter through, ard perhnrs ssvc himself
from rain no will slip $40 or $50 bill in with his
papers and say nothing abou. IT, These Investigations
simply farces and result az might bo expected, In
mnued fanl, Of some unsspecting and honest subord
naie whom the ring anxious TO have removed single out
victim to the iuqusiiors desire to md somebody
a. fault green country boy siandsa poor chance with
accomplished thimhlcrg in pointing out the exact
locality OF the 'fltle joker as poor chance do these
committees on Custom House grievances stand.
The evil u to good rooted in the system or
rather want OF H. The systcrn wants systemafizng.
An ancient building, erected win So, SCI nl'sa y
and mice and bedbugs and these vcrn viii steal ana
nibblc and suck your blood DO what you wil 70 long
the old building stands, there they are Plug up one
hoo and they know twenty others available Your bull
terriers don't know the short and The hiding places
Your monsers In tho rank scent from every sdc get
confused; they nose few holes while hundred eyes
from other holes observe and communicate tber move
ments Your corrosive sublimais only scorcncs somc
larrard bedbuq; and so Il goes Your troubles increase
from year TO year. until al last In spe OF the oiturged
vested right Of the old rats you arc compelled 70 aban-
The work Of experimenting, patching and mondins
has bcon long and fairly tried Unless win head VINO
rect nrrcplcs incxorable and Just, aoof from favor
and political subscrvency who shall remove every man
y,cous and select hcncs, capable men, and In doing
an, shall be bold 10 assume the fullest stretch OF ocal
system but the old round Of abvses andccrmi.
nations We will not say that such man does not ex-
I pu % y na a eowcp s IN o premises We d no hone
therefore 10 anything fhor OF compco legislative re
construction As americans wencsd noe dread para
Iytc shock the mere suggestion Of change
change in FORM not In Substance; change in the
sc,ors and mode Of doing IN tho things be done
,ectcd tho duty or iol which the government imposes
commerce The gatekccpsr or collector IA charged
wa 5s s q ~ ss y.
sells and their cargoes The Idea is plain and the rules
aud regulations BY which tho collector should bc gov
ton Of such force ;, and appliances as he may
lnd necessary IN ne prompt perormanoe .rd q
practical There need not, and shoad Enot
be any circumlocution, hocus pocns or delay. com.
fnorce would chcerfuily bear I've or Ten PCT cens
additional duty imported articles hon breast tne di-
culiies which concetcd Custom House Officials, unocs
tho present system, may throw in ~ way Means arg
necessary any desired end. II is IN toe stuay OF
means that AL snprov are founded inc respea
with his sickle his shoulder ray con'enu ssa ~. ~.
best way 70 rnths cheat Is BY tho hsndiu' but that
not shs received opinion what n the maser ng - a~eS
Srn,s Snsss an imported articles, ID bound 10 provide
simn,s and suitable means for Its collection
- e~~.x~r UNvp SrArEs INFANTRY From The
cs, rT,.frv record published atSk Augustine, Fla,
c learn Inst Corporal John Leonard was murdered on
sssrv 10 rhio In q state OF intoxication. He Wa
nu.v ienperse and the Record holds his case up
a. Ibe regiment warning against even occasional in
SuIscncc in intoxicating liqnora ne had several nsns
Srsd dollars in his possession, and was probably muir