New-York tribune., 1874-06-03
CUSTOM-HOUSE EYES.

NEAR AND FAR-SIGHTED INSPECTORS.
ruE WORK OF ExAMINISG BAGGAGE FROM EUROPE
SELDOM DONE THOROUGHLY, AND SOMETIMES
LEFT UNDoNE FOR A CONSIDERATION
The phraseOlOgy of the law regarding the
examination OF baggage upon steamships arriving from
tore gn port for doubt As 10 the require
ments. yet 1t recognized fact among those con-
yersant with its operations that scarcely day passes
without numerous violations OF it, and this often at the
instance have been appointed 10 enforce It,
The order the Secretary OF the Treasury provides that
all baggage shall be subject TO actual and thorough ex
animation and persons OF the passengers as well,
il suspicion be directed 70 them. Any fraud on
the part of the passenger, any conceaIInent
OF fact secreting OF articles IN the
trunks. the person, or attempt to bribe reve-
nue. officer shall render the baggage liable to detention
and eonhseation and subject tie owner 70 legal penal
ties Every passenger arriving port Of the United
States foreign port is required 10 make brief
but comprehensive and truthful statement of the num-
Der OF his trunks bags aud other pieces 1 baggage ana
The articles his person This is called the Pas
sengers Baggage Declaration and is To be handed 10
she revenue officer upon landing Under Ihe bead Of Bag
gage dutiabe," iplaced wearing apparel personal
enects books, tools and household effects Under the
head Of -Totiable Merchandise" arc mentioned new
Wearing xypare In Of that in general se excess
i've amounts of jewery extra watches articles OF ctrtu
Ali presents piece goods all articles purchased Tor oaer
persons In short all articles not essential to the per
sona comfort aud venenee OF the traveller The de-
clsraion upon demand given 10 the house In
spector and by him compared with the baggage
e1aped Minor duties will he assessed at suen
n brlef abstract Of the law regulating this pSanch Of
the revenue service
The inspectors Bureau In the Port OF New-Yorf Is
under the direct supervision Of Surveyor George Il
sfarpe and the force at its command ID very large
one The arpointments number over 400 and are nearly
eoally divided between what called day and night
To the is ntrusted the responsible
auty of examining tue baggage OF all who arrive from
sore,yn ports while latter act night watchmen
pob are paid regular diem, are al the
s,anoy1. Of this branch OF the service but the com
ts hardly such to account for the demand
f these postous The nesdq OF the inspectors
are now at No Safest Here j. L. Vanboskerch mas
been in charge for years. and all assgnments of daJ
are made By hun from day 10 day
Five inspectors regularly ststiohea NJ o~sto
arleD and the others specially assigned "a there 10
occasion for their services Their duties are very I'M
nile IJpop the approach the steamer from foregn
nor, two or more of them as a rule placed on board
a. the quarantine station is passed for the ostehhoe
nurpose OF venting the transfer OF conraDand arces
IN noats AZ the steamer slowly passes up tine harpo'
This eoursr jt liz said has been pursued Oy som
.rsons and valuable articles ncased In rubper ons'
have been thrown erbosrd 10 sone confederate ana
ham ssse.y landed witasw susp'e,on Al she s'SSs1