The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-23
Echoes OF the Relirious press.

teen years ago and has managed SO success
fully since. He commends his successor,
Professor ID. H. Wheeler, to the kind consid-
Grafton OF those who have admired his own
crisp editorials The Observer reviews the
fifty years work of the American Tract So
clety as an answer to the question, What has
the Christian press done in half century,
and gives the statistics of its latest reports as
the best proof that the society commands the
attention of the intelligent community. The
editor Of the Baptist Weekiy has been reading
Ii. Kings, ill.,, Is, lately, and he saw so much
water in bitches while he read that he has con-
cluded there is very close relation between
obedience TO Gods bidding and Gods bless
ing, and that we are not to gauge our expec-
tations by appearances The Christian Union
pleads pathetically for humor in the
pulpit as well az in the religious press or
on the platform. 1t would have wit and
humor as well rs seriousness and dulness,
consecrated and used in Gods service and to
His glory. The Je,oish Messenger deprecates
the appeal of religious bodies to the courts
to settle grievances which little foibearance
on either side might conclude more amicably
than any legal trial can do 1t cites two in
stances in its own community-one relating
to the sale Of the cemetery ground of the
! congregation Anshi Chesed or BETHEL, and
the other relating to the reform in building
and appointments of the congregation B'nai
Jeshurun, which was reported in last Mon
days HERALD. In each case bad blood is
likely to be stirred up by the appeal to the
courts, which might be appeased by moderate
measures on either side in the synagogues.
The Evangelist wants to know what can be
| done to increase the annual contributions to
| the Presbyterian missions II suggests that
if agents were employed to look after this
matter by appeals to local churches and ndi-
viduals; If missionaries from heather
lands could be utilized in tins way
occasionally and if Presby teries or Synods
would take i direct interest in 4 specified field
the effect desired might be obtained. Church
anil State defends Dean Stanley against the
1 sneers and insinuations Of u class OF 'church-
men" who do not think anything good can
come ont Of the Nazareth Of dissent, because
the Dean is liberal enough to mingle with
and praise some dissenting neighbors Of bis.
It shows that he merely carries out by this
spirit the principles and policy of the re-
formers and Of multitudes Of their successors.
Importers IN Council Revenue
Frauds.
meeting was held at the ST. Nicholas
Hotel on Friday evening last which purported
to be called to consider by what means
smuggling can be prevented The animus Of
the affair seemed to be opposition 70 the Ap
praiser Office rather than the suppression Of
frauds on the revenue. The merchants Of
the city are very well satisfied with the
present Custom House management But
there is need Of more liberal policy
on the part Of the general government
if we are to expect anything Ike
thorough prevention OF smuggling. When
the present Collector took Office in 1871 he
recommended the establishment Of govern
ment dock at the Battery, on which passen-
gers baggage should all be landed and where
the examination should take place. Aside
from the convenience this would afford to tho
passengers, government DICK would keep
the inspectors and other officers under closer
surveillance and secure greater vigilance and
more honesty on their part The amount
Of smuggling done in passengers bag
gage is probably overestimated. The law
e1empts wearing apparel in use, and
there is no limit u the amount 70 Le allowed.
The courts have held that this must be matter
Of discretion, guided by the condition in life Of
the parties and their number. Itseems scarcely
Just that q wealthy family Of four Or five per-
sons may bring home fifteen or twenty trunks
filed with valuable made-up dresses trimmed
with laces, lace shawls and other articles duti-
able j. merchandise, aud may pass them free
as wearing apparel while comparatively
poor man ana his wife who bring silk dress
unmade as present for relative must pay
duty OF have their baggage seized Yet such
il the law. No doubt the unlortu-
nate passenger who finds himself
titus situated and sees fellow travel
ler's valuable trunks pass free imagines
that the officers are corrupt and that great
deal Of smuggling Is permitted. Nevertheless
many articles subject to duty are allowed to
pass the inspectors either through carelessness
or in consideration Of bride. The expendi-
ture Of seventy thousand dollars on govern
ment dock and barge house would be repaid
in year or two by the stoppage Of this leak
age. Up to this time the government while
constantly urging vigilance on the part Of the
heads Of the Custom House, has not expended
a single dollar on the means to make that
vigilance effective.
1t has been suggested that wholesale Snug
4 Cling, such as that developed IN the Law
renee case, may be rendered impossible by
sending all packages and cases 70 the public
stores and subjecting them all 70 examination
\ There are several reasons why such course
would be impracticabe and unjust toward
4 importers. We should require ten times the