The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-21
SMUGGLING METHODS.
How Smuggling Operations are Carried
On,

An ex-consul. residing in Paterson, n
j., who spent several years in his official
capacity at Hamburg, Paris, and Toronto,
gave to a New York Tribune reporter a
description of some Of the ways in which
smuggling operations have been carried on
for several years at those places, and also
at New York. He stated that there had
been very extensive business done for a
long time In illicit importations Of ribbons,
concealed in Weaknesses. 1t might appear
at first sight that watch-case would not
hold any ribbons, but it was astonishing to
see the quantity that could be put in by a
pressing machine. An ordinary case could
be made to hold forty yards OF ribbon;
worth about $50. The trick was exposed
by government expert named VIoll, and
the fraudulent practice received temper
ary check, but was soon renewed and pre-
walls to some extent at present. Very ex-
teusive transaction in valuable silks, laces,
jewellery and diamonds have been carried
on through the consular Office mail bags.
The ex-consul says that congressman and
their relatives and friends have received
some handsome and costly presents in this
way, and that on one occasion the Hon.
Roscoe Conkling had large lot Of fine
cambria handkerchiefs sent to him in one
of these mail-bags.
Smuggling from Canada has been carried
on largely for several years, and in man
ner almost to disarm suspicion, Many of
the customs officials have been in collision
with the smugglers. The cars containing
goods for this country, when leaving Toron-
to or Montreal. haye their doors sealed
with the official seal, and while it remained
unbroken it seemed certain to the ordinary
observer that no fraud could be perpetrat-
ed. But the doors of these cars were
ingeniously arranged with some sort oil
hidden sliding process, so they could be
opened without disturbing the seal. The
struggled goods were thus introduced and
passed the officials at the border without
being suspected. Formerly one car in ter
was opened and examined, on the same
principle that the rule of examining one
case in ten at the appraisers Office, New
York, is enforced, but this became very
troublesome, and the practice was abolish
ed. If the seals appeared all right there
was no detention. The ex-consul thinks
that $l5,000,000 o year-the calculation
made by Jackson s. Schultz-is a yer,
low estimate for the value Of the good
struggled in this way. He says that Their,
is a pretty large business done between
Toronto and Lewiston by way of LAX
Ontario in small steamers.
This gentleman states that smuggling b.
the ocean steamers coming into New Yorl
has been very great, and is still large. III
says the process is very simple. If per
son has not oyer 81 200 worth of goods
properly packed, it may cost him S. or 81
to get the goods passed when the Office
comes on board. But if a person ha
several trunks of ordinary size he will b
obliged to place s. or $40 hill on each q
them, which the Custom House officer i'm
mediately covers with his hand and says
"All right" If the trunks are large
however, and there are many of them,
is necessary-at least it is considered to
the surest way to avoid trouble-to have
tug in waiting beyond Sandy Hook, t
which the goods can be transferred.