The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-11
THE CUsTOM.HOUsE COMMITTEE.
An Interview with a knowing Ono on the
subject.

subject.
One OF the DEnooRAr's reporters had an inter-
esting interview on Saturday with person we'll
posted in the workings of the Custom House In
vesti0ation Committee, and CLEANED the following
information. 1t has already been said that 1t is
not the purpose OF the committee to sit In judg-
ment over the officials Of the Custom House who
have conducted the concern for some years past.
Our nrornation therefore begns ss follows: The
committee hsviBg received its instructions, which
have also been published, proceeded immediately
to consider their meaning, the scope of their in
vestigstion depending on the Interpretation OF
these instructions. The
THE CONCLUSION
arrived at was that the duties OF the committee
consisted in considering how the collection OF the
revenues at this port could be performed in an
economical manner, without, at the same time,
preiu lice to commeres or limiting the facilities
of business; to see how the general government
can get all the money that is it's due under the
law, without wronglng individuals, and by grant
ing all opportunities to transact business speed
iy They regard it az their duty to inquire into
the character and quail fcations OF the men en-
poyed in the collection Of customs, as far rs their
duties are @ 'ncerned; TO correct all abuses that
may be shown to them, and TO simplify the method
of doing the business Of the Custom House. In
they will be
GREATLY OBLIGED
il good and respectable persons, having any
knowledge Of abuses or wrongs, will communi-
cate them to the Committee, who will do what
they can to rectify them.
thus far the commi ttee has pretty neaely COM
p eted the investigation OF all the departments
Of the Custom House, except thu naval office and
the warehouses, which will soon receive their
attention. They have reached a great many
findings public until the investigation shall have
been finished, when the result shall be published
in bulk.
Thus far they have not recommended or sug-
gested
ANY REMOVALS..
OF officials changes Of any character, nor will
they do so until they have completed their labors.
They intend, however, to walk tQuare up to their
duties, without fear favor or regard for affec-
tions and they will do what they conscentiously
believe is best for the public and the government.
They will examine with care the approaches to
the port, and in their report will make sugges-
tions to prevent smuggling. Their work, how
| ever, will not be "summer job. but will be
completed in very short time. Our reporter,
referring to Treasury Agent Vance's report to
Washington recommend q reduction Of the
number of employees of the Custom House,
| might not lead Congress to limit the force by
legislation which, in view OF the hope OF an in-
| crease Of commerce at this port might clog the
wheels OF t06 department. OI OuHFOmB AUu lUt6i
Fere with the SPEEDY transaction of business.
This, our informant assured as, would be
| CAREFULLY PROVIDED AGAINST.
Their report will, without regard To any desire to
| econom Zs. recommend an increase OF the en-
ployes where the same may be necessary, as well
| as the reduction OF their number where there ex-
lists superfuity Of such employees, and they will
AXE into consldera ion. all the necessities Of the
present situation, and the future and contingent
requirements OF the department, SO that the Col
lector will not be hamp red by legislation in in
creasiDg his force when opportunities demand 1t,
| as has occurred once or twice in former times to
the prejudice Of the commerce Of New Orleans.
In such cases informant is satisfied that all
employees will be paid for the services performed
| by them.
Our reporter thought at this junc'ure that it
might not be inappropriate to ask whether any
information had reached the committee CON-
cerning
ALLEGED SMUGGLING,
in a peculiar manner, of large quantities OF i'm
ported goods .hpped here IN trdnsitu for Texas
principallv. Our reporter then referred to a
report published in the DEMOCRAT few months
ago, which, If the facts true, great injury to
the commerce OF New Orleans must have resulted
from the illicit prac ice. The. alleged smuggling
Is related to be performed as follows; Say that a
hundred bales Of cotton goods are shipped from
Europe to New Orleane in transit for me inland
town in Texas The goods, when they reach
here, are examined and apprais'd and
THE DUTY THEREON IS PAID,
80 that no furth.r fermality is performed in their
| reaching their destination. Subsequently another
consignment of one hundred bales of goods are
shipped to this CITY, also in transition for Texas.
| The consignment eDsibly Of cotton goods is,
in tact largely of elk goods. The bales are got
| ten up and marked exac ly like the first hundred,
which have by this time reached their destina-
| tion. When the last lot reaches New Orleans
| they are, however, neither examined nor ap-
praised nor is any duty paid on them, the prop
Osition being that it shaIl be paid at port OF
entry in Tex beyond the point at which the first
lot was delivered. II is therefore easy to under
stand how. in the
| OVERLAND TRANsPoRTATI N,
the silken goous (the bales being alike and the
marks and numbers also), can be substituted for
the cotton goods at the point where the first were
delivered, and how also the goods will correspond
exactly " tn the invoice when thew reach the port
of entry where they are to be delivered; thus the
cotton goods pay the small duty twice. it is true,
but the silks have escaped the impost charges.
| Our informant confessed that it was q matter
worthy OF the committees investigation and, at
all events. snce it can be effect 80 easily, the
law making it op ional with shipper to have his
goods appraised either in New Orleans or at an.
other point beyond this city, is defec'ive law,
| and should be abrogated or at least amended sc
| as to prevent smuggling Of this kind.
THAT FIVE nnUUAn rnnnrE