New-York tribune., 1874-11-18
WASHINGTON.

] REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF Gus
TOMS.
TifE EFFECT OF TIE MOIErY REPEAL LAW NOT
FULLY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOR THE
PREVENTION OF IHIE USDERyALUATIoN OF
oOODs-AN ENORMOUS QUANTITY OF DUTIABLE
GOODS BROUGHT IN FREE BY TOURISTS.
WASHINGTON, Nov. H--HeTry e. johnson,
Commissioner OF Customs, has made hs report TO the
Secretary Of the Treasury. from which that
there paid into the Treasury for this ending
with Juno last si63 1888 account of customs in
fines penalties, and forfeitures S65l2H steamboat In
specons, s249o labor. drayage, storage. &c ,e36si
Marine Hospital tax s352y3so; official fees earned by
collectors, f634s making In round numbers Sotal OF
sG5.4SO,503. There paid out OF the Treasury on
customs account. sl2,S95.27s. This sum IN
cudes S,3l9,407, expenses OF collections @,Ss5,'ol'
refundlng Of deposits on duties; s3Ol,T7 on
debentures; A7s3O5i public buildings; s2asel3s2.
construction and maintenance Of lights sfOe55s con-
sruotion and maintenance OF revenue cuters siOsoT
Marine Hospital service $3l793 dstrbutive shares OF
fines. penalties, and forteures slsOl6i. preserving life
and property from shpwreck; and si7O933. mscclla-
accounts. The Commissioner says:
The evils of the mOcty system In its practical admin
istraton were undoubtedly great and by the enact
ment Of repeal June o. 1874 Congress appears have
rendered ITS Judgment that they we're greater
than the evils the system was designed 10 pre-
vent 80 far as faithful and lee jealous ,n execution
judgment Of Congress against the moety system shall
I've sustained bur 10 Is yet too early 10 state what the
result has been to predict intelgenty what the
ultimate result will be the revenue and mercantile
classes In order TO give the new law an advantageous
trial. and dDinution OF the revenue
apprehended many, VIII be to sustain 10
with all the aduncts OF suggested by expe-
rience. In this ton t may be stated that the
best mode of arresting the evil OF undervauatiOn OF
goods has occupied the thoughtful attention OF some OF
largest importing merchants whose feelings and
interests thoroughly In accord with |
tnUse of the Government One Of tho methods |
suggested Is to raise the standard OF
qualification examiners, to Increase their pay
tha pf IQll upfp nf
men. This much having beOn accomplished aud the ex-
stng laws having been amended as TO require more
thorough inspection. 1t proposed TO have the entries
and merchandise examined with reference to quality
and value by the official. with the they |
would he by person intending to purchase the goods
by appointing examiners Of integrity and fitness suf
fcent numbers it is believed the appalling encrOach
nIepts OF underyaluatOu can DO successfully cOu-
bated, aid that tao expenditure OF few |
thousands in this way will be compensated by |
farming many millions into tue National Treasury. This
theory Is sustained our merchants with but few
ceptOn and approved 10y most experienced customs
officials IL appears that the laws OF the General Gov
authorizing warrants OF search for Snug gled
goods defective and often imperative inasmuch
here Is no United States official whU Is empowered to
wrts. f cOmmss OF the United States
authorized and required. under proper safeguards
perform these duties, 1t Is thought the difficulties
complained Of would be Obyiated