New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-18
THE TARIFF UNDER THE REVISED STAT
IrrES.

A LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
ALLEGED CHANGES IN THE LAWS IMPOSING
DUTIES ON IMPORTS, OR NEW CONSTRUCTIONS
or SUCH LAWS MADE by HIS DEPARTMENT
TREASURY DEPARTMENT. Jan. II, 1875
SIR: In compliance with the resolution OF
be House OF Representatives OF Dec Il last calling for
report of tho Secretary of the Treasury as to alleged
change, IN laws imposing duties on imports or new
constructions OF such laws made by this department.
have the honor to submit the following:
Ia reply to the first branch OF the inquiry namely
whether any, aud II so what. changes have been made
ordered to be made in the rates or 5 o. o,
suv provision OF The United States statutes. as passed
at The first session Of tue XLIIId Congress
II may DO proper first TO state what action was TAKEN
IN distributing and explaining that law
The act OF June o. 1874 entitled An act TO revise and
consolidate the statutes OF the United StaLos in force
Dec 1873" presented unusual difficulties In regard TO
The distribution ordinarily made OF all acts Affecting the
duties OF officers under the direction Of this depart
mept The terms OF the repeating clauses OF that act
gere decisive to the necessity Tor making tho te4 so
royised and condensed the sole direction for oil persons
rbarrcd its administration, YET e entlre ACT was
elt mini IL s9nd be edited aud prepared as directed
by the OF June %. 1874 Cnap 3}3D 10 meet inc n
mediate ssty however. Title 80 OF me revlsOn oe
ng tile law condensed relating To duties on Imports
was printed by this department IN July following us en-
acment, and distributed for Information OF customs ON
GERS without explanation or accomPdnyLnE ueo,ioh h
Bat tho general statutes not Deing dlstrouted'
nd
uIarlty existed tho construction OF tho laws reaIng
10 d4tIes well as misrepresentation as 10 inc enect
~ he repeating clauses which had not then been made
public IN official manner, Verned COPY Oh INC %
va nrnted for distribution 10 custom officers accom-
n.'ed nv Title IA, the repeal provisions" and by
ircnlar dated Aug 81 1874, directing the attention OF
cnsfos officers differences or interpretation which
Rad been brought the attention OF the department.
Cones OF these several documents as Issued, are here
win transmitted.
later period the necessity for reference to many
other parts U Revised Statutes appeared TO require
he anu OF portions or the rcYls
ian relating IN any way the duties OF officers under tae
direction this department. This was d0ne III volume
cpy of which Is herewith transmitted, accompanied by
an circular dated Sept 30 1874, prefacng
the work With the exception OF the pref references
10 differences OF Interpretation rendered necessary In
tbe circular of Aug 81 1874 accompanying the verled
copy Title SO, duties imports no other than the
u.a course been followed IN tho Interpretation or
anpcatOu this law Tue usual course Is TO leave IT'S
apucatOn the first instance TO the officers charged
with its admins ration at the several ports cOrrectng
by direct order circular, any errors made Dy thcm
when known Questions in which the rate or amount OF
uty is allie ged levied in are those on when
tho ordinary appeals made from the assoSsmens OF
tbe collectors cuscOms and they are tho subjects or
rulings or decisions when, whenever applicable gena
ally or OF cases, are made direction 10 all
collectors order render their practice UNIFORM
In such cases they are priHted ana uIs.
tributed in what Is designated u Synopsis OF
Decisons OF tho Treasury Department" Copies OF
this synopsis for each OF the months OF June, July,
August aud September. 1874, are herewith transmitted
Reference " tue rungs or decslqgs sp9odled W toa