New-York tribune., 1874-03-06
LET Us HAZE 1T ALL.

The Ways and Means Committee have not
yet got at all the figures they need. The
resolution calling for statement of the pro-
ceeds of fines and penalties was passed at the
beginning of December, and though the re-
Spouse of the Secretary of the Treasury was
delayed for nearly three months, his table,
when it came, did not attempt to give any
returns subsequent to the 3Oth of November.
Mr.. JAYNE presented a second table the other
dav, showing the shares distributed to col
lectors, naval officers and surveyors, but that
also stopped at the close of November, 1873.
IL seems not to be generally understood-cer-
tainly the Secretary and Mr.. Jayne both failed
to explain-tbat the sums distributed to an
officer or Informer during any specified period
by no means represent his entire earnings for
that space of time. Cases are seldom settled
in less than a month or two, and are often
prolonged for year, or two years, or
three years; and after the case is settled,
by condemnation or compromise, the divi-
sion of the money takes from two to six
months more. The Collector makes up
his return of fines and penalties monthly, and
sends 1t to the Commissioner Of Customs.
After examination in the Commissioners office
it is sent to the Secretary of the Treasury, and
the order of distribution comes back from the
Secretary in the course of time The sums re-
ported TO the House, therefore, as well as those
laid before the Committee by Mr.. Jayne. arc
delusive, and probably do not represent any of
the operations of the Seizure Bureau since last
August. This is not all. We have good rea-
son for saying that during the past three
months the spies and special agents have been
unusually busy, and have reaped an abundant
harvest. Let the Committee call for further
returns, from the 1st of December, 1873. to the
1st Of March, 1874 II q statement covering
FIVE years can be compiled in three months,
statement covering quarter OF year can be
made up In four or five days. Or Mr.. Jayne can
be asked in FIVE minutes to tell how much has
been paid him since the first Of December,
and how much he has become entitled to
which has not yet been paid. The resolution
of the House, to which the Secretary's for
midable table was the answer, inquired what
amounts of money have been paid to the
United States in fines and penalties; but this
information Mr. Richardson does not appear
to have impaired. 1t is believed IN this city,
by persons familiar with CustOm-hOuse poll
tics, that the Collectors mOieties during the
past quarter have been more valuable than
during all the rest of his term of office. This
is probably an n,exaggeTation but the business
has undoubtedly prospered. ana it may as we'll
be looked into.
Again, there are no returns of the profits of
the District Attorney and Marshal. These
officers receive percentage upon the pen
alties collected, and their fees form the prin-
cipal items in the charge Of "costs and ex-
"penses" which appears IN the document
furnished to the House by the Secretary of
the Treasury. But in a great many compro-
mise cases merchants are compelled to pro-
vide for these fees outside Of the payments TO
the Treasury. They agree to turn over to the
! Government certain sum, " exclusive of ex-
"penses and commissions" The District
Attorney must then be cared for by some
private arrangement. of which no record ap-
pears upon the books Of the Treasury nor