The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-14
WITH A CUSTOMS OFFICER.
NEW YORK, June 9, 1873.

NEW lOhh, y, 1919.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
l hold that the American Of well-balanced head
Will return from Europe with better opinion OF
his native land. But, hard upon the glow Of en-
thusiasm raised by the beauties of New York har-
Dor, his patriotism suffers cold bath when he
encounters on the wharf the American Custom
House officer. have lately had baggage inspected
by English, Belgian, Prussian Swiss and French
customs officers, and have found them all respect
able men, having apparently no purpose but to
perform their duty with the least annoyance to
the traveller. had heard much Of the venality OF
the American customs oiiicer, but was incredu-
lous resolved not to subject myself to 1t. You
shall hear how Jared.
The steamer Abyssinia came to her wharf Satur-
day morning, the 7th squad OF customs officers
stood in line awaiting the deposit Of the baggage
on the wharf, A few PAGES in advance Of the line
received his trunks, took his certified list and des-
ignated one OF the squad to examine them.
gang Of thieves. why should the, good-looking
American people be represented by such vilanous-
looking onicialss Each one looked like harry
small chap, wearing drab felt hat with black
ribbon and turned-up brm, OF the rowdy style now
common, and wearing eyeglasses, was designated
to examine my traps. suppose that for father
bringing home his daughter from school in Europe
with all her belongings, and with very moderate
replenshing Of the wardrobe or full grown girl
in Paris five trunks averaging below the large
size, are very moderate allowance. But the man
OF customs evidently saw In this situation case
He was not inclined to give much attention to the
things in general, but he wanted TO come directly
to the point BY the n inquiry bought o any dresses
knew they were dutiable. told him knew the
contrary. He said he would have to get the assist
He sighted the other trunks and came to q tall
trunk containing four silk dresses nicely packed
SS an qp a nSs e @
grown up girl. But again this harry declared
these were dutable, whether worn or not. or
space to e Of hints soo1
to the point by the remark in a low tone that he
%s Ws was to
Had denounced him the gang would have stood
by him. 1t wonld have been my word against his
before his confederates, and he could easily have
claimed that misunderstood him. Had quietly
shown an insensbility to the hint he had the
considerable sum have him rummage these things
the multitude Of traps that required much much
without opening, Another trunk, porty
we're chaiked unopened. He cautioned me to let
no one see me do 1t. ] stepped apart and ex
tracted sovereign from my purse He met me-, me
placed it In the thief's dirty paw.
1t appears from this that sovereign Is the price
for passenger, with female encumbrance, who
stoutly denies that he has nothing dutiabe and
freely asks examination.
You cannot easily conceive what an incentive is
given to smuggling by this rascality. The
traveller who has brought nothing dutiable, and
who is thus bled merely to escape threats OF an
nsyance, is prone to think he had better have
brought many things, and lot of piece goods, in
stead OF paying the extravaganza charges OF Paris
dressmakers or having his clothes made up by
clumsy London tailors Each one thus dunncd for
bride becomes an advertiser to travellers that
smuggling is made easy and safe for all who will
pay small fee. i was too late and too busy TO
who was returning with his wife, told me that he
had found clever oficer Of the same sort. My ex-
perence and my observation OF the class oil men
entrusted with this confidential duty leads me to
the conclusion that as class they are thieves.
You can conceive that the sum OF their ieyies Is
very large, and that this KIND OF smuggling Is
stimulated to very large dimensions by this most
dtsgraceinl rascalty
The American has to meet in Europe much
calumny upon his country, aud naturally he stands
up in her defence. But the hrst sensation lie feels
on setting foot on his native soil comes nom this
gang OF oliicla thieves, justifyng what abroad he
has had to hear, to his disgust and anger, OF the
corruption OF the American government,