New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-06
ENFORCING the CUSTOMS LAWS.

Custom House officers who act in strict
obedience to the regulations laid down by the
Treasury Department for the purpose of carry
ING out the provisions of the Revised Statutes,
are often constrained to do duty which is not
altogether pleasant. Much more agreeable
service can be conceived OF than searching
the luggage of American citizens on their re-
turn from foreign parts. This is painfully
true if the American citizen resents the pro-
ceeding as personal indgnity, as he frequently
does. especially if he has cOnspired with him
self to import just few dutiable articles
without the formality of paying the customs
dues. And yet it is Il necessary service. Thou
sands of passengers arrive at this port every
month-in September the number reached
7.OOO-and the amount of merchandise they
bring with them can be imagined when il
il known that during the last five months
more than $4,000 in duties have been
paid on the dock. This is exclusive of
the duties on such articles as were
sent to the public store for examina-
ton, course which is invariably pur-
sued when there is any controversy as to
valuation, so that the passenger can have the
benefit of the doubt. Here is an immense
sum of money, and it certainly justIfes the
Government in taking all reasonable precau-
tions for its collection, especially since it is
evident that considerable fraction of it
would be lost if the customs officials were
careless or corrupt.
1t Is quite possible that inspectors are occa-
sionally fired with an excess of zeal, and 1t
seems now to be the fashion TO crticise the
vigor of these examinations, just as in former
times they were complained of as beng
lax and farcical. But it ought TO be remem-
bered that officers at times receive
private information which they are not at
liberty to neglect. And besides this, some
rigorous search is made necessary by the Pc
culiar views entertained by many reputable
gentlemen and ladies as to the proDriety of
cheating the Government" Not long since
a gentleman of large means and high social
standing made the usual declaration that his
trunks contained nothing but his personal
effects. Yet, although he was travelling
alone, one package was filed with expensive
dresses, for which, and for other dutiable
goods, the irregular importer was called
upon TO pay several thousand dollars
into the United States Treasury. Nor are
these practices confined to the first cabin
Large numbers Of adopted citizens who
visit their old homes and return in the
stecIage are In the habit of venturng
on a little smuggling in order to deffay their
expenses. and not Il month passes without
seizure record of from twenty to thirty trunks
and sea-chests constructed with false bottoms
10 facilitate the cheap importation of silks,
laces, volvcts and tie like. No doubt strict
examination of baggage is discou aging TO
commercial enterprise of this sort, aud there
are already signs of depression in the bust
ness of importation in false bottoms since
Secretary Sherman's latest orders have been
enforced. The agents of the various steam
ship lines report such decrease in the
volume % baggage transported that each
vessel has space for from 90 to 100 tons of
merchandise hey ond her former carrying Cd
pacity.
The facilities for examining baggage in this
port are, 1t is true, not 50 goon as they
should be. The defects of the present system