New-York tribune., 1877-06-04
WASHINGTON.
THE CAMPAIGN OF THE MERCHANTS.
SALARIES AT NEw-YORK AND TARIFF MATTERS TO
RE INVESTIGATED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBrNE.l


WASHINGTON. June 3-The Secretary of the
Treasury has sent to the New-Ycrk Custom-house
Commission some additional instructions. winch
will probably be received by them through the mail
tomorrow morning These relate, first, 10 the regu-
laton Of salaries Of customs officials, 4 Icadiusmcnt
of which is believed 10 he necessary IN order to make
the system more homogeneous and 70 make the saa-
rcs paid more in accordance t those paid 70 other
Government officers performing similar duties.
The other sulicct treated of is tie proper adjust
ment of the tariff on certain articls. Ia some IN
stances the duty actually imposed by Jaw = cvaded
by means OF peculiar operations For instance
great uoabe has been found III determining the
amount Of duty that should be paid on sugars which
now graded by the duties standard according to
their coors. Ii is reported that of high grade
have been cOored by patent process so n to cor
respond in appearance with those of the very low
grade and that after passing through the Custom
house they are bleached and restored to theiF orig
inal appearance. Among the remedies proposed is
the abolition of the system of grading by the duties
standard and the substitution of duty based on the
actual amount of saccharine matter contained in
the sugar. The recommendation of the Board OF
Trade, favorine change from ad vaorem to specific
duties Will also be considered.
The report of the Commission on these subjects
will it is expected, be the basis of recommendations
for legislative enactmcnts
THE COMMISSIONS TO INVESTIGATE TaE CUSTOM
HOUSE Al PHILADELpHA- LETTER OF IN
sTRUCToNs.
WAsruNGroN, June 3.-The following letter
of instructions has been sent to the Commission TO ex-
anime the Philadelphia Custom-hOuse
TREASURY DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, D. C.,
June ., 1877.
CHARLES PfATT. esq HENRY d. WELSH, esq, IRA AVER,
GiENfLEvEy: The President deems it important that
thorough examination shall be made into the conduct
business at she Philadelphia Costom-housc. II is
thought proper to have this investigation conducted by
y,o lersous WHO shall represent the business men Of
Phiadclpha and person 10 represent this depart
nc and have respectfully TO request chat you act as
te rrubers of such committee The general object Ot
the inquiry is 10 sCertam what abuses, ii any, exist IN
the transaction OF CusOaouse business at Philadelphia
And IN secure sach 1ggesti s ~, Will promote economy
aud efficiency IN TIE service. lne Inquiry VIII embrace
Frsi Whrther the force now employed in the varions
branches Ot service at Philadelphia incld
ing the Collectors Department. the Naval Office, the
Surveyors Office aud the Appraiser Department. rs III
excess 81 the actual needs Oi the service.
Second: Whether any Of the force employed are
deficient in proper attention TO business qualifications
third: Whether any Of the officers now employed have
been or engaged in any other business and whether
c1sc them De absent from their official business "a
the injury OF the sevyce, whether from any other
cause they failed give the time and attention u
their business which the law aud the regulations demand
Fourth Your inquiry into The system Of business III
/
gard to the mode Of apprasement the examination OF
goods. the manner OF slmpng, &c The matter OF sam
ping and the disposition made VI tie samples VIII be
caictully inquired into. "
run You Will inquire to the manner in which ap-
pral,cmcuts have been heretofore made, ana whether
such apprasements have been made on political niiu
encc without due regard TO efficiency.
Sirfh You will inquire INTO the question whether any
goods which 10y law liable 20 duty have been permit
fed To be landed and delivered without prOper permit
and payment OF duty and If Will report the name
OF the parties concerned in such violation ol law.
Serehh You will inquire and report whether prac-
tces urejudical the revenues TO the efficiency ana
integrity Of the service have been INDUCED In by any o'
the customs officers.
FighM: You will inquire whether any OF the customs
officer, have guy OF receiving bubes or gaultes
from importers others doing business at the Custom
housc their AGENTS
Niuth: You will also inquire as to whether any
changes can De made In thc law regulations touching
the collection uf the revenue from customs which Will
facilitate the transaction of business AMI at the same
time protect the interests OF the GOycrDmtnt-
70 this end you will receive and consider any Sugees-
tous which may hC presented bearing upon the SUBJECT
| am very respectfully, join SIBERIAN secret"ry