The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-09

A stringent money market and the high premium
on gold has had a telling effect on the Custom
House, and lessened the receipts ofdutes on imports
very materially. While every incoming vessel is
freighted to the gunwale with the valuable prod
ucts OF the Old World, ana the stocks of goods are
accommodating with lightning rapidity, still the
Withdrawals are very limited and the warehouses
are fast becoming gorged, and unless the value OF
the precious metal assumes more moderate
standard the result cannot very well be foretold.
Last week
THE RECEIPTS FROM CUSTOMS
amounted to S21S5,000, which was $S90,0o0 less
than received the week previous. The receipts for
March, 1873 sl4o9S, Ooo against s12 l21 Ooo or
a deficiency OF S1,977,ooo
The importers transacting business at the Custom
House seem very Respondent, and from transpiring
events have just cause to be. 1t Is generally
conceded that heavy purchases, effected in Europe
during the latter part OF the winter, have been
countermanded. The anticipated heavy Spring
trade has proved deusiye, either from miscalcua-
ton as to the amount OF goods remaining on hand
in the interior OF the country from the tmidity
of outside buyers, fearing to overstock themselves
in the face OF hard times at hand and prospective
At all events there is very little doing in mercantile
transactions.
The question among government officers in view
Of these facts occurs now-what has been the
EFFECT OF THE REDUCTION OF TARIFF
upon the imports, ana will the receipts for the
fiscal year ending June 80 come up to the est
mated calculations In regard to the importations
1t may be stated that as far as bulk IS concerned
the comparison with the previous year will prove
1avorable-whe the latter will fall far short of the
sum counted upon by the commissioner of Customs
between this and July l, can show a larger income
than the ninety days just past.
THE SPRING TRADE
among wholesale dealers may be said to be virtu-
ally over ana period Of inactivity Of over four
months is at hand. The dulness in business is not
confined to the merchants en- gros, but tells with
crushing effect upon retail dealers. Retailers
making every effort to induce trade and il liberal
advertising in the press Is any indication, their
efforts ought TO be amply rewarded. Another
cause for the
FALLING OFF OF RECEIPTS
from duties is the recent order OF the Treasury De-
partment in regard to coin, which has already
been published in the HERALD.
If the Secretary OF the Treasury deems 1T, or has
any power to come TO the relief OF the importers
by forcing reduction In the premium on gold,
more goods may be released from bond. AS it is
the merchants only drag along hand-tomoutn
existence, freeing only so much OF their wares Us
are needed Tor actual consumption.
CIVIL SERVICE
examination OF thirty three candidates, who have
competed for thirteen existing vacancies, was held
last week, and was the last presided over by Mr.
Thomas l. James, hate Deputy collector Of the
or this city. The names OF the successful candi
dates-tnree highest for every position-as
,standard,n have been submitted to Collector
Arthur, from which he selects one to I'LL each
vacancy and transmits the same to the Secretary
OF the Treasury. The vacancy existing in the Col
lectOrs Board Of Examination under the civil SER
vice code, caused by the resignation OF Mr.. James,
has not as yet been hlled. Mr.. John X. Lydecker,
Special deputy Collector and member Of the
Board. will, no doubt, become its chairman.
THE NEW POSTMASTER.
On Tuesday morning Mr. Thomas L. James, who,
for eight years, filled an honorable position i'll the
Custom House. for the last three years that OF
entered upon the discharge OF his duties as Post
master OF New York, IN place Of General Patrick
to double the amount. His bondsmen are Messrs.
Thurlow Weed, ex-Collector Murphy, Captains T..
b. Seaman and s.. T. Russell. b. G. Jayne and
Speaker A. b. Cornell. Mr.. James has taken the
reins oil his Office III hand in good earnest and
demonstrated to those under him that lie "Ineans
businessu and intends to have the work done eff
hciently. The new Postmaster Is determined to
have rapid city deliveries and proposes that let
tiers mailed In the morning shall be distributed at
their destination on the same day. Colonel 3. J.;
Morgan, Assistant Postmaster under General
Jones, retains his office, and thus lar Mr. James
has not effected any changes. AS he Is great adj
OF the civil service he will strictly carry out
the code in his department. and in the event of q
vacancy promote the next man IL order, II quail
fed, to the position
THE GREAT AMOUNT OF MAIL MATTER
passing through this Office and the notorious in
adequacy OF room 10 conduct the business in
make the labor almost double yet; with all these
drawbacks, Mr.. James proposes TO Introduce vast
reforms, which, Judging from his career in the
Custom House, he is July capable OF carrying to a
successful issue.
THE NEW SURVEYOR OF THE PORT,
General George II. sharpe, has taken hold OF his
ONCE in practical manner. Not being acquainted
with the routine, he has determined upon becom-
ing thoroughly posted, and TO this end he has at
tended to dischargng the steamship City OF Mon
trea in order TO obtain insight into the mystery
oi an inspectors actual duties General sharpe
proposes to uniform his inspectors, and let the pub
lie know that they occupy an honorable position
and must be obeyed and respected in their official
capacity, which blue cloth and brass buttons Will
better indicate than an unsghly little penny badge.
PENSION AGENT.
Mr. Silas B. butcher has about closed his dis
bursements for the present quarter, having paid
out over three hundred thousand dollars to about
eight Thousand pensioners. The books and vouch-
ers are now submitted to the Pension Bureau in
Washington, after which Mr.. butcher and his
assistants will prepare for the next payment,
which commences on the 4th day OF June next
INTERNAL REVENUE MATTERS.
Are importers OF wine rectihers Is question
which has been agitating this branch ofindustry
for Sy
Internal Revenue and addressed to Mr.. super
visor lucan hawley, setting forth That wines I'M
ported and clarified by any process whatever sub
ject the importer to pay tax as rectiher, &c.,
was published in the HERALD in full, and created
considerable excitement, since then an organza-
ton has been effected among the ''trade,n and a
few days ago their secretary addressed letter to
the secretary OF the Treasury, detailing the objects
OF the society and the causes leading TO It's esta0-
lishment, at the same time suggesting friendly
test suit, whereby TO fix the intent OF the term
'.rectiher.n The following Is the document, which
will be found OF INTEREST,"
New YORK, March 81, 1873
To the Hon. WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON, Secretary OF the
Treasury, Washington, ID. G. =
SIR am instructed by the officers OF the Wine and
Spirit Traders Society OF the United states TO advise you
OF its organization Its membership will include indi-
vduas and firms in all parts OF the country who are
engaged in the sale production OF wines and spirits.
The aud object OF this association to unite the
tcress OF all who may become its members in body
10 the Accomplishment OF this BY assuming the
care and responsibility OF protecting trade marks aud OF
preventing unfair and unlawful PRACTICES; by under.
taking defence Of and Illegal
members by dscouraging ltgations and generally by
exercising such proper supervision over and direction