New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-14
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
SMUGGLING METHODS.


uIxs IACEs, AND DIAMONDS SENT IN THE OFFICIAL
RAGS OF CONsUIs TO ESCAPE DCTY-cONGREss-
nEN AND OTHERS RECEIVING GOODS IN THIS
wAY-RIBBONs PACKED IN wATCH-CAsEs-How
GOODS ARE BROUGHT PROM CANADA UNNAMED
SMUGGLING ON THE OCEAN sTEAMERS-INFOR-
NATION FROM AN ExCoNsUL.
An ex-Consul, residing in Paterson, n. D.,
Who spent several years his official capacity at Ham
burg Paris and Toronto, gaveto TRIBUNE reporter on
saturday description OF some OF the ways In whch
mugglng operations have been carried on for several
years ut those places and also at this port He stated
that there had very extensive business done for
long time in Illicit mportaons OF ribbons concealed III
Weaknesses 1t might appear at first sight that watch
ease would hold many ribbons, but II was astOnis-
ing the quantity that could he put IN by pressing
machine. An ordinary case could be made 10 hoiu ~
yards Of ribbon worth about $50. The trek was eN-
posed by Government expert named Noii' anu tho
fraudulent practice received temporary check but was
soon renewed and prevails TO some extent at present
Very extensive transactions valuable Silks laces jew
elry and diamonds have been carried on through inc
consular Official mailbags The exCopsui says 'ha'
Congressman and their relatives and friends have re-
ceived handsome and costly presents In TINS way
and that occasion the Hon. Roscoe Conklns had
large lot of fine cambria handkerchieis sent 10 nh Ill
one OF these mal-bags.
Smuggling from Canada has been carried on largely
for several years, and in manner almost TO dis
arm suspicion Many OF the Customs officials have nech
in collision with the smugglers. The cars containing
goods for this country, when leaving Toronto or ho
treal have their doors scaled with the official SEAL and
while IL remained unbroken ii seemed certain TO the
ordinary observer that fraud could be pcrperated
But the doors Of these ngoniousy arranged
with some sort of hidden sliding process, so that they
coud be opened without disturbing the seal The Snug
ced goods were thus introduced and passed the ON
cials at the border without being suspected.
Formerly one car in ten opened and examined, on
the same principle that the rule Of examining one case IN
ten Of the Appraisers Office in this city Is enforced but
this became very troublesome and the practice was abo
ished II the seals appeared all right there was no de-
tenion The ex-Consul thinks that Sl50OoOOo year
the calculation made by Jackson s. Schutz-ls very
low estimate for value Of the goods Struggled IN THIS
way He says that there pretty large business done
between Toronto and Lewiston by way OF Lake Ontario
In small steamers
This gentleman states that smuggling by the ocean
steamers coming into this port has been very great and
IL still large says the process is very simple II per
son has not over worth Of goods properly ackcu
n mas only him $40 IL get the goods passed
when the officer comes on board But II a person mas
several trunks Of ordinary size he will be Obliged u place
a S. or u $40 bill each of them which thc Gus,
tolnhouse officer immediately covers with his mana ana
eays All right" II the trunks large however ana
there many Of them. IL is necessay-at least IL is con
eidercd be the surest way 10 AVOID trouDc nave
tug in waiting beyond Sandy Hook to which the goods
can be transferred.