The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-18
THE NEW YORK CUSTOM HOUSE.
An Inside View Of the Government Collection
Of the Duties Of the Port
What Politics Have To Do with the Working Exc
cutive-The Custom House Departments De-
notwithstanding Statistics-The
Import Duties in 1900
An Old Time Vessel.

in this city for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1872,
or an average OF 81 for every week in the
year. When II Is taken into consideration that this
is the receipt OF only one collection district,
although the largest in the country, some idea can
THE HERcULEAN LABORs
involved in handling such fabulous amounts and
the complicated yet compact system of organiza-
ton to accomplish the desired result. The business
ofimportaon during the past ten years has received
an impetus from the Introduction OF the fleet sea-
going steam vessels and the successful operation
OF the submarine telegraph lines, which, in q
measure, have connected the two continents as by
o bridge.
THE GREAT PROSPERITY
of our country likewise contributes largely to the
increase Of imports, while q reduced tariff judi
cousy distributed on dspensable articles, whereas
others are entirely duty Free will have tendency
to stimulate greater traffic and corresponding
increase Of governmental revenue. OF all the de-
partments under the United States government
that Of the New York Custom House is everything
else but sinecure. In this establishment there Is
the greatest amount Of
HARD LABOR PERFORMED;
and from the messenger to the Collector of the
Port the small pittance paid as salary is richly
earned. During office hours, and sometimes be-
fore and long AFTER the officer is forced to be at his
post. The most perfect system Of cooperation and
checking is observed, and seldom, II ever, any err
rors appear without being at once detected.
While the heads Of the various bureaus are gene
rally appointments due to political preference, the
clerical force, as generality are not disturbed.
Thus, II an officer Is true, faithful and competent,
he ceed not fear decapitation, no matter what ad-
ministration comes into power.
NUMBER OF THE DEPUTY COLLECTORS
have held office for length OF time, ranging from
four to sixteen years. while Mr.. C. P. Cnch, the
Assistant Collector, has performed his functions
for upwards Of four score years. Mr.. Van Bus
kirk, the venerable head of the Custom House In
spectOrs at the Barge ONCE, begun his official
career in the government service in 1884,
and still remains at his post in the full
vig0r of manhood. Mr.. s. G. Ogden, the
Auditor, is an occupant Of his office since
1871; while Mr.. T. V. Mumford, clerk in charge
OF the immediate transportation, without appraise-
ment, received his appointment in 1929, and held
the same, without interruption, ever since. Mr..
W. D. Robinson, cashier, and Mr.. F. H. Fay. one of
his tellers, were appointed in 1s4l. Deputy Col
lector John r. Lydecker came into Office 1857; Mr..
Joseph Treloar, Chief Clerk to the Assistant Col
lector, 1858, and some thirty others who have been
employed at the Custom House from ten to thirty
years. Thus it may be seen that, Notwithstanding
the general belief
POLITICAL PREFERENCE
Is not always the sine qua non OF obtaining Gus
tom House position at least in the important
branches of this establishment. Since the advent
OF General Arthur not a solitary removal except
for cause, has occurred, and neither does he con-
template to effect any, even to please the political
factions.
THE CIVIL SERVICE BILL
is strictly observed by him, and promotions are
made in cases deserving preferment similar to that
OF commercial house. The great secret to the
mystery how such an enormous amount of business
can be transacted here without any ostentation is,
that the Golden Rule everything in its place, and
a place for everything" is strictly observed.
To give detailed account of every branch con-
nected with the Customs Department Of this port
would fill the entire pages Of one edition; but we
propose merely to mention some Of the most i'm
portant coming under the immediate supervision
of the Collector, which will indicate some idea of
the perfect system observed. First comes
THE wAREHOUStNG ENTRIES.
Inc mercdans presents s ms entries with marks
clerk, who marks on an entry, the rates and
amounts of duties. The entry clerk makes out the
the amount of invoice value of goods for the in
formation of the appraisers also endorses thereon
The entry is then taken to the naval ONCE where
the same process is had by comparison and amounts
If found correct checked From there the entry
goes to deputy collector, who orders the packages
for examination, and II all the goods are not sent
to the appraisers for examination
BOND MUST BE GIVEN
that the goods in case they are called for pro-
duced on demand. The merchant then swears to
the entry, whence it goes to the Naval Office cashier,
who checks the amount of duty and puts the amount
of such to be paid on sheet record. The entry
then Is presented to the Collectors cashier and the
duties paid when the documents are checked by
the cashier as evidence of being correct. Hereupon
the permit signed by the Naval Onlcer and Deputy
Collector and taken to the store. The goods then
wi ~
the appraised value with the invoices From here
the entries are transferred to
THE LIQUIDATING DEPARTMENT
OF the Custom House, which at the present time,
owing to the immense mportations, sustains the
In are as ollows:-To lquidate an entry the hquida
has first to observe the report OF the Appraiser
the invoice, whether any additions have been made
to raise the Importation to the market value at the
time of expectation from the port OF embarkation;
whether q penalty has been assessed in conse-
uuence OF differentiation by ten per cent Of the
whole invoice. There are
SOME CLASSES OF GOODS,
to report the weight as they pay both ad vaiorens
and specific duty. This requires great nicely on
the part Of the iquidators who have to reduce for
egn coinage and weights to the American standard;
and as the duties on glass have to be assessed by
the square foot, 1T is easily conceived what labor
devOlves upon the lqudatOr, who has to reduce the
square foot to inches OF every pane in each of the
various sized boxes imported Goods are some
times imported when portion of the invoice has
been short shipped.
THE DUTY OF THE LIoUIDAToR
then Is to ascertain from the report Of the dis
charging officer OF the vessel what portion of the
invoice has to be allowed in rebate OF duties. On
all VEGETABLE and gaugeable goods returns have
formed the basis Of liquidation. But proof OF short
shipment lies with the importer, the iquidator
not being justified to adjust an entry without such
evidence. There are sometimes entries OF dry
goods covering as many as two hundred and fifty
cases OF merchandise, with perhaps of fifteen or
twenty classihcations, which 1t Is the duty Of the
liquidator, by the Appraisers report, to adjust.
The liquidation department is under the superin-
tendence Of the Deputy Collector OF the Third d.
vision and forms and one of his most important
adjuncts.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR READERS
we herewith give the various duties performed by
the Collector Naval officer, Surveyor and Appraiser.
AS all OF them form the Custom Department
together 1t Is interesting to know the particular
functions each has to carry out pursuant to law.
THE COLLECTOR OF THE FORT
receives all reports manifests and documents to be
made or exhibited on the entry of any ship or