New-York tribune., 1870-01-29
THE CUSTOM-HOUSE.
REPoRMS AND IMPROvEMENTs-THE NEW GOV
EMINENT WHARF, AND BASIN.

and their luggage has been prosecuted with vigor and II
only needs an additional appropriation by Congress to
insure its speedy completion The dredging OF the basin
has been completed, and there depth of
at the low water mark. The outer wall Of tho wharf
which is constructed Of blocks of solid granite weighing
six each he when the tide between food
and ebb The sinking OF the huge blocks and their proper
adjustment were attended with many difficulties. The
mason work was performed by the aid OF submarine d.
who lowered the and tubs con-
tanning movable bottoms The contractor promises that
II Congress grants the requisite appropriation the wharf
and basin VIII be completed by Winter The dlap
dated barge Office which threatens to crumble during the
Winter storms, Is considered by al who are obliged to
rsmah In IT, rather dangerous sructure substantial
and stately edhoe constructed of granite VIII be built at
the base Of the wharf, which will undoubtedly be an or
nament to the lower part Of the city
There never existed greater necessity for suitable
andgpace for the foreign steamers than at the present
time Under the present arrangement revenue tug Is
constantly employed carrying CustomHouse Inspecors
10 the numerous wharves both sides of the city and at
Hoboken and Jersey City. 1t frequently happens that
five and sometimes nine foreign steamers arrive the
day. all having from to 200 cabin passen
officers arc required at each wharf their
Orrval. The Surveyors chief deputies required
at different points TO superlntend the necessary in
specton Of luggage, and the while seeing that the
revenue is protected, TO protect passengers from
imposition and rudeness from the horde Of unscru
pulous harpes that infest every dock during the ex
cltcment attending the arrival OF steamer The
completion of the Government wharf will effect a
maienal n,I change in the present system OF disen1
TIC Batt6fy before proceeding to irdocks substan
convey the cabia passengers and their luggage to the
Government wharf where the examinations VIII be CON
delivered here which will bo OF ncacuable advantage
to the mercantile community At the same time and III
from the opposite side Of the steamer and the matches
can be immediately closed and sealed by the officers as
signed 10 take charge Of the vessels while in port
Tho most positive instructions have been given to
the officers 20 be thorough ID Their examination oi
baggage, aud at The same time 10 show passengers
every courtesy in their power number Of instances
integrity and known anlucnce have made false deela
ratOns, subsequent examination having developed the
concealed among their personal effects Only the other
day eXUned states Consul returning from his post
had in his possession nine eases corded ana scaled lie
insisted that he entitled by courtesy To have his
baggage passed without inspection, aud declared mat
veyOr assured him that the eagles on the seals OF his
the greatest Of birds but were he the King OF
France Pope Of Rome the examination
must take place unless otherwise ordered by the
authorities at Washington, The eases contained
which he paid the United states revenue s5l6 lady
travelling alone requested THAI her apaa should not DC
be IN Tno ''1 and the most solemn as r
ances accompanied by the most enchanting of smiles
she had nothing dutiahlc, several thousand dollars
skirt The gallanry and poeuess OF the inspectors
often severely taxed by people who endeavor TO SmLggc
their relatives and friends not because they udge the
Government the duty, but simply because the articles
seem to possess Understandable Charm from having
passed surreputously
CHARGES AGAINST THE CUsToM-HOUsE INsPEC-
TORS-WHO DO NOT PROFIT By THE SEIZUKR
OF GOODs-ILL-TREATMENT OF EMIGRANTS
DENIED-"OLD TRAVELLERS" AND THESE
SMUGGLING RUsEs.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: The New-YorIl Custom-IIouse has of
late been the subject Of various newspaper comments
many of which, highly colOred for sensational effect have
afforded 10 little amusement to those acquainted with
the real condition Of things in that Institution. THE
TRIRUNE however, has been in the main well.infOrmed
and substantially correct in its saements yet sundry
and misapprehensons occurred III recent article
entitled "Trials and Trbulatone Of BmisraHs-A sys
TEN OF Robbery ny Custom-iouse OHicials' protest
against tins ndi5erimnate defamation 1t is not true
that ruling passion OF every official IN the Surveyors
Department. from the Chief Deputy to the night watch
man. is to make a seizure the principal incentive being
the money it brings" The "chief deputy" makes no
seizures has peeunary interest In seizures and has
never during years honorable service, realized dollar
from them The same is likewise true of his immediate
associate Furthermore all the weichers and gaugers
have no authority make seizures and realize nothing
from that source The larger proportion OF inspectors
and st larger part OF the night wachmcn have little
oppOrunity TO seize goods to profit by their seizure
neither has a single clerk any interest therein Your
T eyesore 70 Ihc oirias great and small and
subordiuats don't desire he shall become ACQUAINTED
with the BoduS oDcTdHdi OF Custom House business
The fact IT, instead of newspaper men being eyesores
there are no less thau ten twelve Dewsaper men EN-
puyed the Custom House to-day As 70 t"s statement
that almost every door has placard posted on IT, sta
ing that nobody not connected win lhe
or Treasury Department sAa!l nave acce-5 70 Iccou'
documents &c concerning Customlonse business ui-
der pains and PehaltiesLi nave eG 20 nI any SIfn zen
pacard, vet this is substantially f'Eula'loh oi uc
Treasury Dcpar meut aud proper ONE 100
Concerning alleged fragrant outIaSeS prosecutions ana
robbees pacticed upon unohcndne cmgrahls az ot'te
Garden, general denial is respectfully submitted
Granted that moro than onchalt Of the emlranis are
Germaus Norwegius aud Swedes. IL is nevertheless de
MED that one Is at hand to give theh Instruction or
ordinations while the Customs officers also have sur
frcnt command 0f German To- answer all practical needs
requirement anu ~ G r,, tIt ~" Mems In We her."
tdforc been provided collect duties from steerage
pnn, sn fcIIify As rule cnncrants have no iuii-
bic goods Of their Most Of the goods sent 10 public
store belong 10 citizens who come IN the stcerage Tor
economy or otherwise In relation to emigrants the
regulations direct the exercise Of large MbcYllty and
less they have too many duable effects they are rarely
So fan as Custom House difficulties are concerned the
whole mistake lies in the omission TO discriminate be-
the different classes OF stecrage passengers There
is a numerous Kind known in Cnstoin-lfOuse phrase as
od Travellers" who evidently have good deal OF bus
They the most part residents Of this country but
try palm themselves of as emgrants and take to the
stcerage because better opportunities Tor eVptIaDand
trade have heretofore been afforded IN that qrarleE
Probably nineeentwenteihs OF the seizures or public
cases, come from this class who resort TO many
tricks 20 eu1e detection Where seizures have been
aSdc rom @ BONA iiAo emgfaHs the properly vas sQbse
quenty found In several caso TO belong some cunning
sugcier only the other day seizure was made on an
girl Of ces she had been induced 70 bllhg Tor
persons this city and similar Instances are not lnire
aucnt few days ago 500 worth OF human hair was
found In the dirty luggage OF cmCrant pretenders lO
of ewelry accs, silks &c. was taken from the person or
an :" engrant" woman from BOston and more recently
an "emgrant" citizen Of Pcunsy lyania was brought 10
the Custom House who had stuffed ms clothing win
costly silks ribbons &c so that he could haldy waih
Fiuaily the man GTis5man mentioned IN llIE lhb6 NJ
has lived in this country some 20 years ana Is
ges disclosed several pieces Of silks pons, lnerlnoes
cs.ncres lnen. and dress goOus OI NaIous