The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-05
MR.. M.cULLoCa AND THE IMPORTERS.

To THE EDITOR or TIE HsRAID:-
The treatment received by our importers the hands
OF the present head OF the Trsa7ury Department de-
and should receive the attention OF Congress
soon as II convenes You have already shown the Inn
bccy and total lack Of honesty fair dealing the
part OF Mr. Mccuioch towards importers who have paid
duties on imported merchandise Of what the
law required 10 be paid, and has been decided by
the have been Illegally oxacted AS the law
now stands the courts have power 10 enforce their
judgments Congress by the act Of March 9,
1868 section IL, TOOK away the power OF the
10 issue executions upon Its Judgments when u
should appear that the Collector acted under nstruo-
tons Of The Secretary Of the Treasury IN exacng the
should the udsm nts out OF the proper appropria-
tons from the Treasury.
But Mr.. McCullocn utterly refuses 10 conform 70
the plain provisions Of the law and sets at defiance the
will OF CONGRESS and tho decision OF the courts, nothing
remains but for Congress promptly TO pass act which
will restore the jud ci tribunals the power TO
force It's decisions Complaints have bacu so numerous
Of late amongst or most respectable and innu-
ton OF Mr. McCnoch, and his total dis
regard OF all tho legal rights Of the merchants,
that have been induced to give this matter more than
ordinary attention. and an Investigation convipces mo
that uness como change IS soon made in the admins
traitor Of revenue laws the reputation o. our govern
mcnt for honesty fair dealing will not only suffer
materially. bat national character will soon be on
par With that Of political irickster or rombs
When merchant makes an Importation OF goods
from foreign. port he Is required to pay the
duties levied by Law 10 gold to the Collector
and il any dispute arises as to what the,
proper amount or rate OF duties should be the
Collector TO DO the safe side takes tho larger amount
rate and the merchant pays tie same under written
protest. Under our complex system or duty Laws
numerous questions arise daily what and what
are proper amounts OF duties due under
tho law The importer Is obliged also 10 make an appeal
TO the Secretary Of tho Treasury from tho decision O
the Collector within tn rty DAYS and " the decision or
the Collector Is affirmed tho importer obliged 10 bring
suit within ninety days from the decision OF the secre.
foVu NJ Ia Ana and
binding upon the importer
Tho Importer. alter having been obliged to pay more
duties than he iees he should have paid, and which In
q majority Of instances there is . strong presumption
tina, ne has aud having rln the gauntlet OF protesting,
easy task and 6oay succeeds IN having the legality Of
his payment passed upon BY the COURT and after
ccedins IN sustaining nis claim 10 the law courts he
finds that with judgment lis hands be has brought
up by rabbit track exactly where hs commenced with
tho Secretary Of the Treasury whe dec dos again, - he
did In tho first Instances, that he will not pay him.
As have before stated the courts have power to-
issue execution when II appears the Collector has
under Of tue Secretary Of tie Trsa-
suy and the importer Is therefore remediIess when
the Secretary OF the Treasur to do his duty.
am aware that i has been ATTEMPTED By the present
powers that be- in the Treasury Department, 10 induce
Congress t, pass law making the decision OF the Sec
rotary OF the rresur, quest OF this character
hardwood ondcavor inierp late into tariff act
provision Of law which would be absurd and uncon-
object aimed at has been accom- Pushed by the enact
ment OF she provision In tho act Of 1908 TO which have
referred.
Now this Is all wrong The great importing interests.
or country should not be tied up In this way, and 10
Is against every prrcipIe of~our government that such
absolute and unimiteI judiciary and our
should DO held by one person, 20 matter
how honest able he NAV be; much less when. AZ 40
the present time, that person II Quo who possesses
neither the ability TO discern the desire TO do what
justice and iair dealing demand At the hands OF our
government towards the commercial community.
The fact IL that Mr. MccuIlocb permits ms subordi-
mates 10 manage the Affairs Of his Office. and u -
lamenabe such mportant and Vial interests sub
jcct 10 the beck and nod OF inefficient and Incompetent
Treasury clerks What IS required 10 . change 10 the
head OF the Treasury Department and until that 10
effected but little be hoped Tor In this matter until
Congress meets when. doubtless, some stops Will BE-
taken that Will 10 importers tho protection Of
their rights
The truth Is and Il 10 daily growing more apparent,
that the whole sdministration OF Mr. McCuIlocn 10 ..
failure and Is bringing tins country into oiium and
difficulty, and his place should be nled BY some one
who restore in measure, what has been lost BY
imbecility and want OF proper appreciation OF the
duties Of the once. proper regard for our national
credit and country's welfare demands the mme--
diase removal Of Mr.. Mccuiloch.