New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-03
THE MERCHANTS ACTING.

! The Committee of the Chamber of Commerce
on Revenue Reform left NewYork for Washington last
evening and will appear before the Committee Of WAYS
and Means OF the House OF Representatives to-day.
They win be Joined III Washington by Committee from
Boston. plumber OF facts have been accumulated
by the Merchants Committee which Will be laid before
the Congress Committee as fully time Will permit.
Only days have been assigned them for ahearinR
but it is hoped by the members of the Committee that
the time will be extended that subCOmmttee will
be appointed to give the matter moro thorough nves-
tigation than will he possible IN the time which the
Committee of Ways and Means have allotted to the
hearing
COURT RECORDS NOT OPEN THE PUBLIC.
The Chamber OF Commerce Committee last week, be
Ieving that records open to public inspec-
tOn and wishing to the records OF the u g. District
Court this city, the preparation OF their for
presentation to the House Committee, addressed the
following letter to the Clerk OF that court not antic
pating other than favorable response
EEw-YoRK Feb. %, 1874
gro BELTS, Olerk Of United States District court for
the Southern District OF he,c- York;
DEAR SIR special committee IL preparing some
the Customs Revenue laws for presenta
Representatives Tuesday next. IL ia deemed ma
era by this committee that an Inspection aud stats
record be had of the warrants for the seizure OF the
books and papers OF importers and the returns made
thereto, now file in your Office 1t Is believed they
WV tSsTeoe ask ss will allow one of our
counsel, Mr.. Cephas Brainard to examine such war
rants aidavits and returns under your CONTROL
and make the extracts that may be deemed important
May ask early reply TO this note.
In behalf Of the Committee, respectfully yours,
GEORGE WILSON, Secretary.
To this the following reply was received:
UNITED STATES DISTRICT CLERKS OFFICE,
soUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEwYoRK,
NEW YORK. Feb. 20, 1874 )
GEORGE WILSON esq, Secretary Of NE Special Committee
ofMe Chamber Of Commerce Of The STATE Of Neto YORK.
DEAR have received your note of the 25th Inst
requesting that your council be allowed to inspect and
make a statistical statement or the warrants FOR the
of the books and papers OF importers and the re-
turns thereto lille III this office TO Obtain inform
alton 10 be presented TO the Committee OF Ways and
Means OF the House Of Representatives.
MY journal instructions from the Court are TO treat
directly concerned and not TO permit other persons
examine them, the rights OF the parties interested
might suffer prejudice thereby.
II counsel presents himself, as the representative
OF the Government OF importer whose books or
papers have been taken a warrant the most free
access will be at given to him to examine all tho
papers in which his client had an interest.
But do feel at liberty 10 open the transactions
between the Government aud IN importer without tho
request Of either party the order OF the court to the
examination OF 80 highly respected body your
Committee desorvedly is
have, however, submitted your note to the Judge OF
this Court aud directed by hun TO state reply that
he Will consider any application that your counsel may
make TO him. upon notice TO the DstrictAttorney Of
this district Yours very respectfully,
Clerk u s. District Court of the Southern District Of
Eew-YoTk
The Committee surprised and indignant at the
reply and will the correspondence before the Com
mittee Of Ways and Means evidence OF the star
chamber of the proceedings carried against
the merchants of Eew-York