The Republican journal., 1872-03-21
Smuggling on the Eastern Frontier,

The low prices of silks, laces, velvcts
Kid gloves and alpaccas in some of our
large cities during the past year have oc-
casioned considerable surprise among
leading importers, who have been at a
loss to discover the sources from which
goods were obtained at such apparently
ruinous rates. Kid gloves have been re-
tailed at 81 pair, which generally cost
at wholesale $3.50 Silks were retailed
at s. which leading importers could not
place in stock at that figure The rumor
that band of smugglers has been carry
ing on business upon large scale has
been circulated, but the men engaged in
the traffic and their plan OF operation have
hitherto eluded detection. 1t is now al
legged that wealthy clique has been en-
gagged for year in running goods into
the United States from the British Prov.
inces. Their mode of operation is said
to be as follows:
The goods bought in Europe are ship
ped to Halifax, n. S, ST John, n. B or
Montreal. The light Canadian duties are
paid and the goods released from bond.
The merchandise is then divided into
small lots and taken to St. Stephen, n .
B., in trunks. St. Stephen is directly op-
posite Calais Me, and separated BY the
St. Croix river. Two bridges afford com
munication between the towns. Between
Calais and Bangor is wide strip of bar
rem country, across which stage con-
veys passengers and baggage for about
forty miles. United States customs off :
GERS are stationed upon the route, and oc-
casionally overhaul the stage and examine
the baggage. As the chances of getting
away with the smuggIed goods out Of
Calais are small, the United States Gus
toms authorities do not examine baggage
coming across the bridges from St Stephen
into Calais; but should the parties own
ing II continue their trip into the United
States by stage via Bangor, or by steam
er VIA Portland, the baggage is examin-
ed, and If no dutiable goods are found a
pass is pasted upon the trunk and the Gus
toms officers at Portland or Bangor do
not again examine it. The band of snug
glers, it is said, taking advantage of this
system, BRING trunk filled with ordinary
baggage into Calais, and, having had it
examined and pass pasted upon it, sub
stltute another trunk, filled with costly
dutiable goods, and having transferred
the pass, continue the Journey INTO the
States without fear of detection. A diff
terent person is employed each time so as
not to awaken suspicion on the part of
the examining officers. When the goods
are safely in the United States they are
sent to different cities and sold at a figure
considerably below the ruling prices.
Large quantities, it is claimed, have been
sold in Boston, Springfield, Hartford,
New Haven and Chicago. New York
has been left out to certain extent, on
account of the great danger arising from
the great number of customs detectives
there. 1t is estimated that several hun
dred thousand dollars worth of goods
have been brought in through this chan
mel during the last year. / hese goods
are nearly all bought in Europe by differ
ent men in business in Montreal, St. John
and Halifax. and the smugglers have thus
covered their tracks in an adroit manner.
Howard in Halifax, and Duffres, it is as
serted, have thus contributed to the kid
glove, silk and velvet trade Many other
Dominion dealers might be mentioned as
connected with this business Richard
Story, we'll known in Gloucester and Bos-
ton, is alleged to be at the head of this
smuggling scheme, and as he has been
IN the Provinces rather extensively for
the past year, and sometimes, it is further
alleged, under assumed names, the theory
seems plausible. An enormous profit
must have been realized by the men en-
gagged IN this gigantic smuggling scheme
even at the low prices which they have
| sold many of their wares.