The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-07-07
THE CUSTOM HOUSE COMMITS SION.
An Interview with Gen. Harvey ON Their
Report.

An Interview with Gen. barney ON Their
Report.
Il appears now that the Custom House Inves-
tigating Commission have not closed their
labors: at least, they have not completed their
report, and will not have done 80 until the 18Th
mat Gen. Sheldon, who is nov in Washington,
went there TO present the preliminary report OF
the commission, which treats only of the clerical
force of the customs department at this port, to-
gether with the recommendation that their num-
Der be reduced, as well ss other expenses in the
department.
Before proceeding further. ii should be said
that with reference to the appeal OF Mr.. Fl. Bon
zano, urging the commission to put the i'm
ports for the Oowbellions de Rankin Society, Mis-
tck Krewe Of Oomus Rex etc. on the free list as
simpertations for societies or institutions estab-
lished for philosophical, educational and literary
purposes, or the encouragement OF the fine arts,
and not intended for SALE" Gen. Sheldon has
taken the matter specially in hand.
He will interview the Secretary oil the Treasury
personally and
EXPLAIN TO HIM
the high character Of these societies and the SER
rice they render TO the cause OF education by their
chaste and classic representations.
He will recommend them as being deservedly
entitled TO the benefit Of the doubt, IL any should
exist about the propriety OF placing their I'M
ports on the free LIST.
with reference to the memorial. also OF Mr..
Bonzano, touching the four cent cotton tax, the
committee returned polite snswer, stating that
the subject did not come under the puryiew of
their instructions, and therefore could not be
touched upon by them.
Gen. Sheldon, however, took pains TO explain
In q personal interview some OF the difficulties
attending the recovery Of this tax.
He said that when he was q member OF Con-
gress few years ago, he had the honor OF be-
ing chsirman Of the committee TO which 1t had
been referred and he said thst he soon
BECAME TIRED
OF attending at these COMMITTEES meetings. be-
cause there seemed no possibility OF coming to
an agreement.
refund, because ii involved tov heavy an amount
tsixty or eighty millions Of dollars; the others.
though friendly and anxious to serve the South,
could never agree as TO who should BE- entitled TO
The reclamation.
One wanted the producer TO have it, another
wanted the country purchaser or shipper to have
ii, q third one wanted the agent or oonsignee, who
paid the tax into the treasury, to have IL, and
thus, while all agreed that the exaction Of q
special tax OF four cents pound on cotton was
clearly illegal and unconstitutional, it WAS impos
right to make the reclamation: consequently no
action was taken during that session. nor has
there been any better understanding brought
about since.
The other memorials OF Mr.. Bonzano, halfa
dozen or more In number, were OF character
directly german to the investigation and the
result OF the long experience OF their author as
Oustom-Hsuse broker. They treated principally
of transportation entries TO Mexico the hardness
Of the Texas mails, and the delays occssioned
tIaroI ru in bn irn i'm nj a1
EXCESSIVE BONDS
enacted TO secure the safe transit and exit OF
bonded goods into Mexico; the subject OF cart
age, and whether the commission would permit
the bonded draymen OF merchants to do their
hauling; the prevention OF smuggling; she pro-
priety or expediepcy Of giving importers twenty
four hours to make their entries; changes in the
general order system, and the removal of goods
from ship to the warehouse designated by the
importer, when auch designation is made;
the unfair classification OF sugars, recommend.
ing that the low grading at the North compared
with the high grading here should be investi-
gated, and other matters, all subjects Of the
highest interest and Importance to the mer-
chants OF our city and, indeed, to great portion
of the West and Northwest, and going to show
that IL there be any
VIRTUE IN THE COMMISSION,
which we have no reason TO doubt great deal can
be done by them to promote the business interests
and to preserve and increase the foreign COM
MERGE Of this port and the other sections Of
country referred to.
We have etitomized the subjects and print
them again simply for the sake Of reference and to
keep them in a. their Importance before the pub
o, for visit to Gen. Barney yesterday ELECTED
very little information.
The General was in bis new and comfortable
Office, at the head OF that break-neck staircase
where the commission used to meet. He was
uhabfe, however, tt answer etff questions, eH The
ground that the committee had not yet definitely
concluded what recommendations
THEY WOULD MAKE
to the Department of the Treasury on the sub
jects laid before them by Mr.. Bonzsno.
During our conversation with the chairman OF
the commission we were told, however, that
their full report would be completed by the 18th
inst or theresbouts. Having ventured the
question whether we could then hope for some
information, Gen. Barney invited us very cour-
teously 10 call again after that date, when he
could better tell how far he might satisfy us.
There is one subject which the General will be
able to consider with
MORE THAN ORDINARY
ability. We refer to the Transportation to
Mexico" matter, with which he is practically ac-
quainsed, he having been for some time Collec-
tor of Customs at Brownsville
We are still encouraged in the belief that when
the report shall have been made we can inform
our readers OF its main points without awaiting
the action of the Secretary of the Treasury or Of
Congress upon it.
EyTRAyAGANT FUNERALS