New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-26
NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS.
CONSOLIDATION OF CUSTOMS DISTRICTS.

THE SENATE STRIKES FROM TIE LEGISLATIVE BILL
THE CLAUSE RzeseANIzrSG TUE DISTRICTS
yv.suuvcroS June 2j-Wben the Senate re-
eu,nad con sderatiou of the Legislative h1ecuu'e
md Judicial Appropriation bill to-oay' Nr D'oN
sno,ks in oo,o,ition 20 the amendment proposed by
the Senate Committee on APPROPRIATIONS suiAis
ont the clause consolidating and reorgaai zng the
o,s.o,,s collection districts Mr.. Beck read from
+c animal report of the Secretary of the treas ry
fayorinc the reduction aud added that 1t was rarely
that q public officer made recommendation that
would cut down the mum Der of Government ON
Gals By the clause in the bill we conld get rid,
Mr. Beck said of fifty collection districts. OF which
twenty-five pay nothing and thirty two do not pay
expenses.
Mr. Allison replied that the clause referred to was
new legislation. 1t substantially repealed fifty
pages % the revised statutes 10y provision in an
appropriation bill If the subject were thoroughly
understood he said this idea of consolidation would
not be entertained by either house of Con-
gress No Secretary of the Treasury could
have the knowledge of local interests necessary to
warrant placing in his mere discretion the making
aud unmaking of ports of entry and delivery. And
il the consolidation were made, economy would not
follow Fixed salaries wonld in some places take
the place of fees. No man, no matter how
great his discretion should have absolute control
Of every State IN this Union. in respect of i'm
portant a sabiect. Were we 10 establish an autoe-
racy ia this country with reference to- the great
functions of internal and external commerce
Mr.. Hawley emphatically supported the COM
mittec's recommendation. The commerce of Con-
necticut would be severely injured by the plan pro-
posed by the Secretary of the Treasury
Mr.. Hale said that it was attempted. by clause
inserted in appropriation bin, to Obiterate
great system elaborated with extreme care ninety
years ago. Under the proposed consolidation
grin IN p1,l,r
Mr.. Dawes did not think the President of the
United States was better law maker than Con-
gress. Our Government was founded on the idea
that the many knew more than the few. He
thought the customs districts of the country should
be reorganized. but doubted whether the number
could be wisely reduced. Commerce deveopes
local necessities with which members of Congress
and senators must lie better acquainted
than the President the Secretary of the lrcaSury
The clause directing the Reorganization of these
districts was an authorization 10 the President TO
TevOlutiOnlZe the whole commercial scheme OF the
country-and this In three months and IN the heat
of Presidential campaign lie had as much con-
1Geace n auv Senator IN the present Executive
lie had no doubt that that officer won q endeav0r
% rise above all unworthy considerations but he
could not rise above the impuiatlon-he would be
charged with making improper use ot his power
Me>srs. Seweli, Hawiey, Jones, OF r i0rl1a- ana
LaPham supported the committees proposition.
MIR. Beck said the keeping up OF these districts
that do Dot pay tx penses was merely 20 support
l0t Of election bunmers; that was the meduing 81
IL. The employees were kept DFcau-t lu"9 Gun
trlbuted 10 the success of the party III power Tie
had not wished 10 say this the hoor of the Sen
ate hut he telt Obliged to say IT, Ine secretary OF
The treasury Mr. Beck added admitted that fact.
MT Jones. OF Florida said the establishments OF
customs districts not based on the idea 81 81
maintenance. Like post Offices. they were cStab-
lshed for the general good. the fact that each III
dlyidaal district did not pay was no argument Tor
its abolition.
Mr. IN rails remarked that if the House Of Repre-
seutativeS should send To the Senate apprOpria-
ton bill with "a clause limiting the number OF post
Offices Ia the United states 10 stXty-nIne the case
would be parallel with that under discussion
after further debate a vote was taken and the
committee amendment was agreed 10 striking our
the clause directing the consolidation; yeas II,
nays 10