New-York tribune., 1874-03-26

phia and Baltimore, and the representative OF the
National Board gave their testimony IN te same ulreS
on and sustained the demand for radical chanHe III
After careful comparison OF views the delegations had
agreed 10 confne themselves To demand Ior nVo
changes in the law copy OF the printed form which
they submitted to the Wavs and Means Committee
of the law authorizing the seizure OF books and papers
second OF that giving moices TO informers and others
FIXTURES part OF the Government TO two years;
fourth. to limit all forfetures to the items OF an invoice
IN which there is raul; fifth, 20 render the payment o
duties conclusive upon all parties IN absence OF aud.
The arguments brought forward In support OF THESE
various changes too familiar 10 the mercantile com
munty TO need any lengthy repetition here. The EN-,
barrssmeDt created 10 merchants by the seizure ana
ing Their credit, without, in eases or lnnocence elur
redress reparation, Is well known Not so tne gen
Custom house seems to have fallen-a REORGANIZATION
marked aud widespread enough TO excite the comment
and contempt even Of the intormers who pr0ntcd IT.
With regard TO the system OF m0ieties is certain that
there compensation in the amount OF revenue saved
TO tue Government for the general temptation 10 per
nit fraud a OF profit TO officials and lniomcrs
For 1t is certain that the interest or each OF thes
classes is rather promoted by loose administration VI
vision OF the minor officials, which would wholly pre-
mark that very large proportion Of the cases OF frnd
Tougs. M @ tS The ngs f M se
porter and Custom-house Oical-elther measureI
weigher gauger or liqndatlug clsrk. .ororo
Such frauds these deserve and should receive severe
punishment; but is there any sufficient reason why All
exceptional law should be made for that punishment
which falls within the penal code. Practically as ad
mitted by the DstrctAttOrDey in his testimony, tue
fraudulent merchant is fined In large sums while the
guilty official has In instance Of late been brought 10
Jus ce threatened with suit; aud II IL tlrther
charged by revenue agents themselves tnat athougn
comp aimed Of they still retain their positions surely
no stronger proof of the evil working Of the moety law
need be given The request to limit actions for penal
ties aud orfeiures to period OF two years Is certainly
moderate The present law admits OF suits brought by
the Government at any time within five years. Ihls IS
manfesty unjust. Even two years is an extraordinary
period. .,-.,,,.
ton OF forfctures the specific items In which fraud
underyau1ton are proyen ana asked that Tue taht
should reach the whole invoice Perhaps no part
of the investigation aroused more interest and diversity
of opinion than ths And from this very diversity there
grew disposition on the part OF members OF the WAYS
and Means Committee without relerence 70 precon, @ ~
ceiyed opinions to free trade or protection 10 50
amend the tariff laws as without ahectg tbs question:
TO substitute specific for ad yaorem duties wherever
possible and provide more simple classification OF
dutiabe articles IL IL certainly for the interest OF e
merchant well as of the Government, that the aus
tinctlon between fraudulent Misrepresentation ana
underyaluatOns perhaps accidental should be plainly
drawn and the most practical way OF estabshng sneh
distinction seems to be 10 render tue system OF Faua
tion so simple by changes In the classification ana Dy
raising the standard OF the Appraisers Department. as
10 leave the final settlement or duty 10 DC levied eh-
trey in its hands. MEANWHILE until the law may he
radically changed in this direction the alterations de-
mauded are necessary and unreasonable The public
are familiar with the recengrOss IN which millions
OF dollars been made liable for irregularities by
which the Government only claimed TO have suffered
damage i'm the sum OF few hundreds. They need not
be further referred TO- Lastly the payment or dulles 10
lie conclusive all parties In absence OF fraud There
can be no safety III business any other principle
Bankers will refuse their cred upon bills of ladng
there cannot be day OF tna settlement; ana neI-
chants cannot safely render their accounts II the Gov
ernment is to claim the right OF perpetual revision
Your Committee not charged with the defense OF
anv private interests. In this regard they only confined
themselves 10 the request which the sense OF justice o
tho Commttee OF WAYS and Means rendered IL necessary
TO urge that each and every person assaed by name
should have an opportunity OF bong heard III MS de
Though interested and gratfed with the complete and
triumphant defense OF the great house or whch the
hon"red President OF this Chamber is q member, they
duty 10 take part tueIcli, ana
the subject only here alluded TO that tney may bear
this just to the thoroughness Of their Sindca
Your Committee glad to believe that their efforts
have not been in vain and that from the present move
ment great permanent good is to result.
During the long Investigation before the ways ana
Means Committee they were gratlhed beyond measure
at the constant, unwavering and patient attention
shown by every member OF this important body during
eons occupying several hours Of the day aud OF
ne and covering neary two weeks period when the
current business OF the House OF Representatives. de-
auded careful attention. each and every member gave
the same unwearied hearing and their many and peril
nent queries matters Uf detail In the Revenue laws
showed general resolve 10 master the subject and
provide such egisation shall redress the grievances
Complained Of while not negectiDg the safety OF the
and courtesy on the part OF the officers aud members
your Committee will be ever gratef9 Not tae Least
pleasing part OF this experience the entire freedom
from political partisan feeling in the course OF the In
yestigation. All seemed animated by the same lauda-
bic motive the prosperity and good OF the country
In conclusion, your Committee beg TO ask your ap
prova OF the definite changes sought by Them supported
by which they propose to continue their efforts to obtain
the relief SO long aud patiently waited for.
All of which is respectfully submitted For the Com.
mittee, JOHN AUSTIN oIL'ENs' 1R'
Rtsolred That the Chamber OF Commerce and the
merchants OF New-York in concert with them, wholly
and heartily approve and ndorse the changes In the
Revenue laws asked for by the representatives OF the
mercantile interests OF the great commercial cities, and
earnestly urge upon the Ways and Means Committee OF
the House OF Representatives to report bill In con-
formity thereto without unnecessary delay.
PROPOSED REySUE LAW.
Forettoe limited to items IN retaon 10 ~h'eh Jra"d IS
Az ACT .pnrry Of an entitled An act TO regulate the ooec
OH q duties on sI PG ana An se % DsS d pSn .a
upon e ,.yeuue provide for the certain and speedy col
posesH approved March 3, 1853.
That nothing contained the Goth section Of the act
pors and tonnage approved March q 199 or In the 9th
OF the entitled An act TO protect the revenue
any law Of the United States shall be so construed as
to forfeit entire invoice or entry OF goods wares ana
merchandise or the value double value Thereon, IN
consequence Of fraud, underyaluaion or otnr n-
lawful in relation to any item or Items IN sueh IN
voice or entry, in relation to Item or Items OF
commission brokerage freight, sack, box, or covering
other charge or charges on such invoice or on any
shall apply only to the single item or items or goods,
and merchandise, or the value thereof or TO the
amount the single item items Of charges together
with the amount Of the unpaid duties on such item or
items of goods and charges IN relation TO which duties
fraud undervauation, or other unlawful act snail nave
been committed =
That whenever any goods, wares and merchandise
shall have been entered and passed free OF duty, and
whenever duties upon any imported goods wares, and
merchandise shall have been quidaed and paid, and
such goods, wares and merchandise shall have been de
vered the owner importer agent, or cOnsgnee such
entry and passage free OF duty and sucn settlement OF
duties shall i'll the OF fraud, and in e absence
of protest by the owner importer agent or cous snce
be final and conclusive upon all parties
Seizure Of Books and Papers
That the second section Of act entitled IAN act to
regulate the disposition Of the proceeds OF fines penal
ties foreures incurred under the laws relating to
the customs and for other purposes approved March q
1867, aud the seth section Of an act entitled IAN
act further to prevent smuggling, and for other pur
- al I'm rpDpalPu.
N0ieties 10 Inforbaers and offers
All laws Of the United States giving providing, dis.
tributing or allowing to infOrmers officers OF the
customs Treasury, and revenue OF the United States,
any shares moiees OF any fines, penalties. Or for
L. L. E.LAaal lal