Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-11-27
Honor to Whom Honor.

Ii is only'fair that the following article
from the Boston Journal should he read
in Maine-a State that builds and owns n
large part of the vessels that do the BUSH
ness of New York. Boston and other large
ports. Indeed what would the commerce
of the country do without the sun Rise
State:
One port in the Castine District-the
vessels of which bring their iroi.h,~ to
other markets-has launched between Nov
LIST. ~ and Nov. lst. -. almost | 100 tons.
and may launch more in II; u port That
papers about.l 10 coo tons. and where in 81
here has been rebate OF duties amounting
TO nearly $1,000, upon material used in YES
sci construction, aud salt, at the present
low rate of duty, used in curing fish. max
ing much more Custom House work than
10 make entry with dnty paid.
1t Is a fact that in some small por;s in
diyilual officials work unore.hours and do
more work than at larger ports
p. II. ".
THE BATH CUSTOM HOUSE.
To the Editors II the Boston .Jobrnal:-
The statement in YOUR paper of Nov. Is. RI
alive 10 the Maine Custom Houses. and YOUR
comments thereon. are calculated 10 convey in
some respects wrong impression. For in
stance in the District of Bath the amount ~
revenue collected is stated at SIl.G3iaS. The
inference from this would be that thu. total I'M
portatIon of foreign goods into Bath for the
year was only enough to produce that amount
Of duties. But 1t /, 10 be observed that in al
di'ion 10 the imporiatlon~ paving duties there
have been within twelve month, past imiorfa-
ton, the duties on which. il paid, would amour;
Ia little over $4,000, but which were rebatrd
under the act Of June q. iS.2. the articles being
used for the construction Of vessels. In add
ton To this there are now in warehouse At this
Dor; foreign goods, the duiir. on which would
he about $500. most Of which will De- used f.r
construction. On the importatiOns used far
this purpose NOR than twice a, much work I,
required a that performed on ordinary entries
for consumption.
Their seems 10 be general imprc> sion that
there i no business for Custom House officers
10 do but To collect duties on imports. Thi. /.
erroneous. for in addition To that. a consi,lrra-
BILE portion Of the force, even at the larger port,
i employed in boarding vessels examining their
papers, watching against cVaSons Of revenue
laws. measuring vessels. making out pai,s r for
them. and preparing returns uf Custom House
Transaction. 10 the Department. The furnish
Ing an enrolment and license to a cuaS;ing s,.,-
sci above twenty tons. required the making uut
Of ten paper. besidc- the returns 10 the Treas
ury Department In the case Of a new vessel
tho number would b. fourteen.
The District Of Bath extend, from the ATTAIN
iic ocean 20 the Canada line. a distance of over
two hundred miles. ! good deal of labor. IN.
loINins considerable expense i absolutely
necessary 10 prevent smuggling from Canada.
A. well A. to attend To the numcrou, small I'M
poriaiions fr-In thence. Three hundred ana
hilY-iwo entire, from Canada have been made
during the past year, obout one-haif u which
were u bonded animal, imported Temporarily
with the intention Of being returned.
! believe. 4, a general thing. tina, the officer.
at the smaller ports. il they perform the ser
vice. prescribed by law. do 4, much work Il.
other public officers who receive ! similar com
pensation. ~