New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-10
SMUGGLING BY SAILORS.
EFFORTS OF CAPTAINS TO PREVENT IT---AcTIoN OF
CUSTOM HOUSE OFFICERS.


CUSTOM HOUSE OFFICERS
The expressed determination of SpecialiTreas-
ury Agent c. ~ Bracket followed by his instructions
IN subornates TO make more practical effort TO stop
the practice OF smuggling by remen and sailors OF YES
sells IN eets with tho general approval Of captains and
fret officers OF vesse In the past the operation Of the
law has been such 10 work great injustice TO these
officers who have been held liable for the delnquencies
OF their subordnates. Finding that thoy were not held
personally responsible the sailors have not hestated to
attempt the smuggling OF cigars cigarettes and liquors.
Scarcely vessel arrives here from the West Indies
or Mexico that the Custom House detectives do not dis
cover and seize thousands OF cigars ana cigarettes that
have been secretly slowed away in the coal bunkers In
the bges under the boats In the ventntos or rolled up
I'm the sails awnings These packageslof cigars and
cigarettes have been slowed In these secret recep
taces throughout the voyage Captains of vessels have
become 80 discouraged By accumulation OF penalties
for attempts smuggling by members OF their
crews that they make careful search OF every avail
able part OF the vessel three four times on every trip
But they can't get under the coal nor examine thor
oughIy the skin tho ship and the bges, where In all
probability these cigars arc slowed away IL has boon
said that they ought prevent the packages from being
brought on board at the port OF departure, but that I'm
possible No captain be on both sides and at both
ends and all over the vessel at the same time Besides
members OF the crew make arrangements Win coheuer
ates who send the cigars board as freight When such
packnges brought board the distinguishing Haths
arc recognized by tho sailors and the packages are
slowed away I'm a place where they can be readily found
sometimes these smuggled goods are thrown oNorpVaru
the Bay when every officer u forward anu every thing
lain confusion This Is most favorable tune 10 suBSle'
Tho articles are placed In rubber bags ana thrown over
board. Confcderatos who represent themselves as
boarding house runners but who are really PROFESSIONAL
smugglers uck these up small boats ana pun ashore
Mt staten Island or Bay Ridge and deliver them
The law OF 1909, which made yesso iroui which i
certain amount OF goods was landed wlshouI PuynB
duty liable 10 be cOnfscated, amended on feDiual
g. 1851 This relieved the vessel from seizure uhess
could he proven that tho owner WINS colsens piE
to smuggling Since then the law has been construed 10
make he master OF tie vessel liable to heavy penalties
for each offence Section 2,sO1 OF the Revised statutes
provides that II dutiable goods have been anheu from
IN N fine OF 81 900 Section $500 provides tlat when
dutlable goods discovered on board tnht arc hO ~
cluded or described in the manifest, me captain Is OIe
TO peunlty OF the value OF such goods lhls law haa
Leen construed SO as to work great injustice upon cap
ains who IN way actually respohSpe' iiu MIo
have used every effort To prevent smuggling. .oho
fines were paid captains wOua hte b ~ crrsd on
profession. In point was that which 9ccrso Oh
AN American steamship few months ago. ne u"hhss
were taken down after passing Cane IihtteIas anu
slowed in the hold on the cargo Inc iouoWihs uay
ley were removed to the deck to facilitate the discharge
of the cargo Several hundred cigars were louhu IVou
M IN the awning which had evidently Deen put thero
the night before. The captain directed tuat neJ pe
viyen TO the Custom House lcals. when was done
few DAYS afterward the captain received notce that
he was nnod for smuggling. He appealed 70 the seero
ary the Treasury. stating the circumstances anu
heard of the matter until week ago, when the captan
was ordered before the United states
TO show cause why he should not DC pfOceeuu "e"iS
The case Is now before the courts. -, a. Ar. o..
Other sectons OF the statutes provide Tor the arrest
and pupshment OF individuals caught IN the hct Vi
smugging aud Il IA these sections that special Agent
Bracket rs determined 10 enforce 70 inc who too long
he will have the support OF the captains "no wv 0"h
have suffered for the guilt or others.