New-York tribune., 1877-08-07


A CHANGE IN THE LAW NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. THAT
OTHER COLORING MATTER THAN CARAMEL is
USED.
Chief Special Agent a. X. Tingle of the
Treasury Department has not yet begun bis inyesgs-
ton OF the alleged frauds colored IN this city
lie has been examining tie developments IN Boston
since last week. but is expected TO begin his work here IN
few days. The settlement that hc and CEN Curtis nave
been holding secret investigation in the Astor House
Is untrue. Gen Curtis is Special Agent, but as MS
field Of operations is the Canada frontier, II
S improbable that he Is converstnt with frauds III
the importation Of SUGAR. Precisely what action the
Treasury Department Will take IN the matter Is vet un-
known but is alleged That sufficient evidence has been
obtained To- stop he importation Of coored sugars, and
10 cause forfeiture Of those awaiting action by the
Government That the revenue Is deirauded by means
OF the importation Of sugars Of dark color is no longer
a matter Of doubt. prominent Custom House Official
said yesterday that few years ago very small portion
Of the sugar coming this port under the grade Of
T. according 20 the Dutch standard, which is used by TINS
Government; but now more than onehaf OF the sugar
imported was under that grade, and consequeu ly
charged only low rate OF duty. "The trouble"
be continued with the law which fixes the duty on
sugar according color. THIS law is absurd IN many
respects and the Dutch standard Is antquated IL was
brought into long time ago, when the sugars i'm
ported were gray in color; and in our appraise
Inents We have 10 approximate yellow color to gray
as nearly as possible Hence the law j. fun OF i0opholes
The only change that is desirable change the law.
am in favor Of ad basis Of duties sugars,
or would have them graded according TO the amount Of
saccharine matter winch they contain"
When the investigation OF these grades Of sugar was
IN progress few months ago, United States District
Attorney Wopdford sent communication TO The Treasury
DeDartment saving That he oid NOT tnnk action should
be taken against the importers, - the Only courng mat
ter discovered calauel and TINS might nave DccOme
mixed with the sugar without any maud or lrrcgudiy
lie added that The remedy seemed 10 him 10 bc not
eeZurc Of goods hut change IN the law. Jhc matter
has been Investigated IN Baltimore, ana a large
amount Of testimony has been sent herefOr examination
Baltimore declares tuat the cOlUilng mat
ter is not caramel, but ulmlc acid Dr. Moore
OF Jersey City who also made an analysis declares tua
caramel rs used, ana That the cOl0rng matter j. as
6isfnct from The sugar though IL vegetable
dive This chemists opinion - tdt no reason eau Dc as
signed for presence O the colon except purpose to
dcfraud the revenue. il is asserted that persons import
Tins proceeded against under what il
Inoyn as the "assimiatue clause winch prov ldes that
on an articles manufactured from two or more mate
rias the duty shall be assessed at the hghcst rates a
which any the component pailo may bc chdISedbIc.
this Law ID IL claimed thdt dy O Iouf cents "A
pouud-the highest rate on sugars-cau hc recovered
Only involving the colOrng OF sugar bS ever
been adiudicdt,d in any Of the United States courts
This the District Court ~ California IN Io|u ana
involved over - 900 bags Of sugar imported from tAe
sand wch Islands. II proved that OF this amount
more than mad been reduced In grade ia order
10 diminish the duty. The color made dark 10y the
addition u about five pounds o. charcoal To nb OF
sugar The defendants admitted the cOOrIng but claimed
that IL was done openly, aud vain no intention OF de-
faudlng the Government aud that u Was simply taxing
adyaptsge OF The lOOsencss Of the law. Judgment
rendered for the Government go.
Tine additional evidence which has been obtained, II Is
undsrst0Od is be carefully examined % Gen Wood
ford Mr Tinge and deputy Collector Phelps, who had
charge OF the inyt sIgatiOn ia tbs Guy e" nons ago