New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-20
SEaRCHyNG P1SSENGER'S BAGGAGE.

SFARCHING P1SSEAGERS BhGGdGE.
The Federal Government has decorated the
southern extremity of Manhattan Island with a
handsome building of light granite. which adds
much to the attractions of Battery Park. AS an
ornament of that part Of the city and as m0nu-
ment of the tireless abOrs of the Hon. Nicholas
Muller for the welfare of his district. it is all
that could be desired. As a government barge
Office and headquarters for inspectors it serves
a useful purpose. But will it ever be of value
for anything elScl
The avowed object for which the appropria-
tions were made was that there might be pro-
vided a convenient and cOmmodiOus structure
where the baggage of all cabin passengers COM
ing from foreign countries, might be examined.
But now that the money is spent the arguments
against such a use of the building have assumed
a weight and importance which had not before
been brought to view. 1t is evident from the
points made by the steamship companies and
from careful consideration of all the interests
nyolved, that tho question is a serious and
doubtful one. Our harbor is already so crowded,
the water of the Battery especially being fairly
crammed with vessels at all hours OF the day,
that it will be impossible for the great ocean
steamships to lie between Robbins Reef and the
sea-wall while their passengers are taken TO
the Barge Office TO transfer the passengers
from the vessels at a lower point IN the bay VIII
involve a great deal of delay and expense ana
in bad weather no small element OF danger as
we'll TO keep the passengers on board tle
vessels until these reach thor piers ana then
take them 10 tho Barge Once on smaller
steamers without allowing them to land at the
piers, will cause endless annoyance ana VeAa-
ton.
A change from the present system may some
what reduce the expense of the customs service
and lessen the labors of inspectors. But are
these small advantages to be weighed against
the disadvantages, diScomfOrtS and diSappolnt-
mputs of the pasScngcrs themselves In all
these matters the salutary principle that govern
mcnt exists solely to promote the comfort ana
protect the lives and property of law-abidins
citizens should never be lost sight of. The
branch of the customs service which has III
charge the inspection of passengers baggage Is
not Of 50 overwhelming importance that for is
benefit the rights of the tens of thousands OF
passengers who land at this port yearly should
be sacrificed. II should be the aim of those in
Office 10 seek in every way to make the system
Of searching property bear "a lightly on the per-
sons concerned As the law Will allow. 1t is only
a small part of the revenue that can come from
dutiabe goods brought in the trunks or on the
persons of travellers. We believe the inSpec-
ton is sufficiently thorough to make it certain
that no great sums are lost to the National
Treasury through cvasiuns and smuggling on
the mart of these travellers. The recent do
csion of the Supreme Court in the case of
William Aston shows that the law concerning
the searching Of this sort of property and the
classifying of goods as dutiable should always
be intcrprcted IN a reasonable and even liberal
vav Unless those in favor of a change from
the present system Of inspection can produce
more convincing arguments THAI have yet been
made public, and can make it clear that
travellers will not be put to increased trouble
and discomfort, no change should be made. But
Mr.. Muller will have his monument anyway
That is is something gained.