New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-11-01
MERCHANTS AT THE TREASURY.
A BRIEF ARGUMENT OF THE KID GLOVE CASE BE-
FORE JUDGE FRENCH.
lcKSERAL PRESS DIsPATcH.]


FORE JUDGE FRENCH.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATcHl
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31.-There was a pre-
rminary hearing of gentlemen from New-Yprk inter
tsed in the kid glove assessment this morning before
Assistant Secretary French There present John
j. MeCook and II. NJ. Alexander, representing a. I.
Stewart & Coz s. G. Clarke, representing Iselin Co.
aud wlmerdIng, Roguet & Co. Messrs. Libby Moseley
nnd WILL seyerally connected with those houses, were
also present together with General Appraiser Ketcbum
and Mr. James, the chief Of the customs division.
Judge French read the letter Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury addressed to him the Goth of October, in
closing the protest Of Stewart Co, and submitting
sral points in the controversy for his examination.
Mr. Clarke quoted the law and the niles OF the depart
ent and briefly argued that the facts sufficient to
Justify the Secretary in remitng the entire matter TO
the appraisers on the ground that there had been
valid apprasemeDt and that II any injustice had been
done to the importers 1t might be cOected there had
certainly been no irretularity in the proceedings.
Judge French said he did understand the Secre-
tary advising any course affecting valuation but
merely to examine the law points involved.
Mr. McCOOk claimed that the Secretary Of the Treas
ury had the power to decide whether the collector
right or wrong and whether the appraisemen the
correct one. II it were established that there
valid spprasement, the Secretary must decide that
question, order reapprasement, acting under the
power granted him by the revised statutes The relief
asked to remit the entire question 10 the appraisers
for determination.
Judge French, in reply 10 a remark Of Mr.. McCook,
said he thought It not beet TO enter into full dis
eusson OF tho questions involved the testimony taken
IN the case aud the accompanying correspondence had
not yet been examined by him.
Mr. MeCook responded that Judge French after read
ing the proofs in the case could TO other
slusiOn than that the apprasement was erroneous.
Mr. Alexander satd that in his recent interview with
he only be
Mr. Alexander did not want the questions at issue de-
teImned mere suspicion sensiment, but on all
the facts clearly presented and he thought the Iner
ehanis recy interested could show that the apprase
mens wrong, aud ought TO be corrected. without
going, as they were told to the courts
Mr. McCOok said they merely wanted to show the
facts to have the question RENTED TO the appraisers
heretofore acting in the case.
Judge French said that might relieve the matter OF
difficulty.
Mr.. McCook remarked: q" Our object was TO clear the
of all difficulty and to obtain justice for the
chants"
Mr. Alexander condemned certain attem pts which had
marked that special agents sometimes became super
ryeeabe to their employers without giving the other
side proper opportunity to be heard.
Judge French replied that II charges OF improper In
fuenee made against special agents they should
be supported by evidence.
The correspondence between Collector Merritt and
General Appraiser Ketehum in relation TO the kid glove
eppraisement having been read the latter gentleman
saic that no attempt had been made to reply 10 his
Port which ne had quoted the law and sundry de-
sions oeariog on the case He still felt that he was
csog IN judicial character, TO some extent and OK
9Sned the for his decision In the case and lie
sseo how the apprasement could again be opened az
'1s gloves had gone into consumption.
t af' Clarke said he would neither affirm nor deny
Ki0yts "'-e0i' ""'o ''ANPo' Va '"o
a. uoge French, in reply TO question by Mr.. Aexan-
SVEN 20 counsel. f
etS r; Alexander asked Judge French when he would
I,a ~ decision on the legal question involved
french SAID that many days would not eYapse
vvuohg So he had requested the Collector OF
'Aofk 70 attend here in person or send precedents