New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-01

NV view the per.on who is referred to by Mr. Poland
(The Con0resstona! Record for Feb 49, Is.4 PAGE
mot have been selected put the law IN opera
ion interpret Interpretation Hsyng Hs, entered
I'M. MEMBER hTu'e from S EewYork city. have
and had experience enough since tben IA pun,
a rs 70 make me tolerant criticism OF tnOse cbarseu
with the responsibilities Of government. who strive 10
good faith honestly discharge their oosatlons II Is
sure Of Secretary BistOw that say that in my opinion
the system OF OF that part Q, Tue
has imposed needs 10 he tnorOnRnly enauseu. 80,
prerogaye ., sI" and nreserve inform.
ty all the ports and yet the Secretary cannot IN PIT
son under the present arrangements decide vi no
perplexing questions OF statute construction lie deIe
gates the power TO subordinate, ano nc ANY
mere clerk who decides without hearing argu.
ment on either side. For the Government ~
may be safe TO nhict toe highest rs.e IN az
norter And et there nust be in Washington unit OF
responsibility and decision for the dnerent PORTS ny
own obseryatop and Impressions are, that since nrst
entered Con gress there has much drawing TO
Washington in this matter OF labor ana care IOIn ne
several ports which dvarfed the collector who are
under the law primarily responsible in this business 70
Congress and the country Inc collector DY ~,
and should be In fact the enief customs officer OF the
mort the whole expensive machinery OF his ONCE IS
ouly TO levy and collect the duties on I'M
ports prescribed by Congress- Section 262l OF me he
yged Sra utas describes part OF his functions thus;
"o receive the entries Of al ships OF vessels and Of me so03
To estimate Of the duties payable hsreOpOu'
ndorsing amounts upoa the respective entries . a. -
To all paid Tor dulles And se al oonds TOT 'eea
He Section 99o designates the goods be appraised
appraiser reports il he be dissatisfied he can
agree he decides between them lie Is responsible pri-
marily. for all classihcatons Tor duty Onder oecons
2sl and Sol bis decision as 70 rae ana or
SUIT in The correct Interpretation OF tarlD
Obligations He is appointed by the President and
contrmd BY The Senate to do tnis worS, anu N, nc
AT hs own port OF allow pass out Of his hands into
those OF clerks in Washington unless IN e9npst WIN
nj ha Sap
several ports rule competent men they are III
daily contact with merchants, aud clerks ID Washington
are not and there should be subordinaes IN these
matters Of statute construction between them and Tue
Secretary.
For any increased exactions above those leVied 10
December 1S73 which are the result OF erroneous eA
ecuye interpretations OF the revision the courts ars OF
OPEN out for those made by Congress, even uh
Intentionally, the courts can afford no relief INTRO
duced into the House at the beginning OF this session
joint resolution, which is now before tue Committee on
Ways and Means, and which hereafter would eOnnne
the Executive to the rates the Treasury levied year
ago last December IL would bring order out OF the e1
istlng confusion ami PROBABLY give sAtisfaeuon put
only temporarily; for the whole system needs lm-
mediate Overhaulng There u now before lie ways ana
Means COMMITTEE bill from tue Senate which looks IN
that direction. The amount OF money when the GOV
requires rom customs the Executive ouSht 10
be able 10 esimate with reasonable certainty ana men
provision should be immediately made by Ia ", on CON
ference with the different chambers OF commerce ~ the
country fr commission 10 take up tne WotH Oh pre-
parng tariff leyyinR that amount, and machinery Tor
iIs prom 2r needed ths best faculties ia the
couutry for acquiring testing cOdtlng aud reproduc
ing facts and statistics for the Information OF
Congress. It should be commission OF q
few among the best business men 10
Congress or out, whether mechauts, manufacturers,
lawyers, officials; and, like important parliamentary
commissions ia ENGLAND, should call before IL aud *
anime every one capable OF ahOrdiug assistance By MS
information aud experience, and no element OF part san
politics .nouIl be Flui ted TO dstOr: or thHlrt the
lie maui the needed money can be best raised
from imports. Fdcts AMI figures are what 10 nrst
needed ana not argulne 10 aud OBTAIN these facts
aad fgICs I'm the form Of evidence the country should
gladly make an adequate expenditure OF time aud
money Very resDec,tlly, FERNANDO WOOD.
TO the President VI the Chamber OF Commerce, New
York City.