The New York herald., 1878-09-17
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.

CONTINUATION OF MR.. WOODS lNvE6TIaAs
TIoN--MR butcher EXPLAINS THE WORK.
ING OF THE APPRAISERS DEPARTMENT..
Mr.. Fernando Wood, chairman OF the subCommt
tee Of Ways and Means, aereeably TO previous ad.
journment appeared at the Naval Oficer's Depart
meat Of the Custom House at eleven A. n. yesterday
and continued his investigation OF the methods pur
sued in the Custom House.
The only witness called was Mr.. silas B. Dutcher,
appraiser OF the Custom House, who explained ths
duties Of his department be the examining Of goods
imported to this port He claimed that the examiners
were generally competent, and that when cases oi
damage allowance occur q competent expert 10
is always called in. When the damage was ovei
fty per cent the matter was referred to the
Secretary of the Treasury. Tho witness had
some experience as a merchant for about
twelve years before taking his present office. He
always thought that, In estimating for damage equity
should be employed, for merchant should not be
charged duty for what he did not receive In speak.
ing OF the training and qualifications necessary Tor
examiner Mr.. butcher said 4 man may acquire the
kno owedgs In the department necessary to mako him
q first class examiner; there is there
who was originally clergyman; he was appointed
twelve years ago. and Is now 6rst class examiner;
examiners and appraisers ought 10 have mercantile
experiences. The witness he would be pleased to
sec the whole system Of damage allowance abolished,
as II would save the department much trouble and
criticism. He believed tho law OF equity and
was formed TO aid the merchant and protect him
against paying duties goods which have lost all
nearly all value TO him by damages sustained IN trans
portaiion.
Mr.. Wood questioned Mr.. Duloher about the recent
kid glove controversy MIR. butcher replied:-
'About eight months ago ve received iniormatios
that Importations OF kid gloves were appraised too
low. Special Agent Williams, OF PhiAdeIphia, pro.
cured great de-, oi Information on the matter. and
lat n In.
voiced TOO low and advanced the Invoices on arst
class kid gloves from AL TO CAL, and second class kid
gloves also largely advanced"
"was this advance made on information from Phila-
dclphia and Washington ~ asked Mr.. Wood.
yes, cnch, on such informaton."
apo YOU not know that some OF the largest msr-
cauto houses city feel greatly aggreved over
advance, Us they never before had been subjected
to such proceedingsf'
"Unaoub.sdiy iney do. but y does net reflect on
New YORK Importers as most OF the KID gloves arrv-
ing here are consigned, not purchased"
THE SUGAR EXAMINATION.
Tho most interesting portion Of The testimony taken
cous,Saed ali sugars ior exsmiuation. Mr.. butcher
on THIS hoad said:'sampsrs are required TO sample
one hogshead In teu or more II they deem u neces-
| sary / am most decidedly Of the opinion that no
extensive frauds sugar DO charged 70 the APP
tamaisd ,ass and cassissa Via With The weighing Of she
| sugar have nothing TO do Frequently there is
D ,ns
| tho merchant: IL an importer could manipulate inc
samples ana the supervisor OF the samples then no
1
taken by a government messenger 70 the sample
| room, where they are CLASSIFIED"
| HOW EXAMINATION fs MADE.
| Mr.. butcher said ho did not believe tnefe was
word ruth assertions that had beea made TO
the effect that Baltimore, Philadelphia and Now orK
merchants get Ia lower grade OF sugar nj lower rates
| OF duty than are charged in other cities. Hc OK.
| plaiped tho methods ol examinatian as folows:-"A
sampler bores six seven times into hoeshead be-
fore satisfies himself Of the grades oil the sugar He
takes samples from both tue top and bo'tomtne wet
| and dry parts Ji the hogshead. Tho several samples
from u hogshsad are tnen mixed together, anu the
graae of tina, noyshead 10 fixed by the exnm ncrs
Wpen these reports Of fraud were msdo suggested 10
| tbs Collector 10 name a representative aud would
name an ther, and they should go through number
| OF carqocs and resainpls them. Ten per centuna
| of All sugars are held until the nnal liquida.
tion takes place, and there have beon
| carpocs Of sugar have been sent 10 the re1ncrtcp
before being properly classified and sampled. have
heard tnat reports oil frauds have been pu Dllo
by interested persons who are In iavor OF changing
| the whole system OF grading sugara and with WOW
Of Influencing legislation. An arbitrary specific
duty a lower grade of sugars would increase the
cost 10 tho consumer, prov ded the rate higher
| scope aud think tho use OF u would prevent the
OF nigh grades Of sugar coiored to 70.
scnble and pass Tor a lower grade, by which the
higher duty Is avoided. 1t was recently stated that
the rate OF duty on sugars charged at New YORK
but2 31-100 cents pcr pound, which was iower than
at other places This Is mistake and arises from
iact that tho calculation bbsed original
voices but within tue last year those invoices havo
been raised 81 400, ,000 which puts the rate of duty
actually charged up TO 4461 900 cents per pound"
The committee meets again to-day AZ eleven.