New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-07
pRKPNUE FROM IMPORTS.

The letter of Secretary Boutwell, OF Jan. 20
70 Collector Murphy inclosing comparative
statement of receipts from Customs IN the dlS-
trict Of New-York, from July 81 to Dec. 81 Oh
the wears 1867, 1868, 1869, and 1870 respectively
and showing the percentage OF such IeceipIs
,eou;red 10 defray the cost of their COLLECTION,
IA an interesting and instructive document
The letter might convey the idea that Col
Ioctor Murpby ia entitled to credit for the
GREAT increase in the revenue and apparent
decrease in the cost of collecting II, curing
the last six months of 1870, which this state
ment exhibits. A desire to prevent mlsappre-
bension on this important subject OF the 1aith-
FIJI collection of the revenue prompts us TO
suggest that the credit of these encouraging
figures properly belongs, in great measure
~ tbe efficient and able administration of Gen.
George w. Palmer, head OF tho Appraisers
Department at this port.
The Secretary's table shows that from July
to Dec. 81, 1867, the receipts were $5,9o2,-
800 81; for 1861 $5S,077,57O OF; for 1869, SOL,
1876 1853 So; for 1870, $7O,073767 80.
1t thus appears that, during the last six
months of the year 1870, nearly Nine Millions
of Dollars were collected over and above the
highest amount for any of the corresponding
periods mentioned. Gen. Palmer's connection
with the Appraisers Office commenced In the
latter part of the year 1869. No figures are
given for his administration, except for the
latter half of the year 1870 When it Is I'M
derstood that, in his department, which Ii en-
tirely distinct and separate from that OF the
Collector, the dutiable value of all the mer-
chandise imported is fixed, the rates of duties
under tariff laws determined, and the percent
age of damage to goods which have been in
iured on the voyage of importation assessed
leaving to the Collector the clerical duty OF
calculating the amounts due from importers
under the Appraisers values and classification,
and the responsibility of receiving the money
it will be readily perceived that to the Col
lector cannot properly be awarded all the
credit for thus largely increasing the revenue
The percentage of expenditure for collect
ne this large amount OF money under MT
Murphy appears to be about the average; bu'
reference TO the Secretary's figures Will sho"
that the expenses were really larger for th'
last six months of 1870 than for the CORE
spending periods of the two preceding years
The decrease in the percentage is, we appre
bend, owing simply 10 INC lIBo hOio"oo ~
the receipts of the last half year; and these arr
evidently attributable to proper valuations
classifcations for duty, and correct assessments
for damages by the Appraiser-inasmuch as il
is generally understood that the impOrtation'
were 10 larger than formerly, and, if any
thing, must have been less, in consequence OF
the European war. The Importance of the du-
ties and functions of the Appraiser of the
Port of New-York does not seem to be generally
understood and appreciated. 1t is the mos
important position in the Customs service
and, as all concede, it is faithfully and eff
ciently administered under its present chief.