The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-07-23


Baggage is landed and deposited
in separate piles, according to the
initials of the owners names, the
proper label having been affixed on
the steamer. The places are desig-
mated by huge letters on the wall OF
the shed. If there are many Smiths
aboard, for instance, there will be Q
crowded congregation of trunks and
owners about S. The examining in
spectors are already drawn up in
line across the dock, and nothing
passes them without due scrutiny.
Wearied travellers, who can leave
their matters in the hands of friends.
are relieved of further waiting, and
after quick search Of wraps and va
lises are allowed to depart in peace.
As each individuals baggage is
brought together, he notifies the
staff officer, and hands over his tick
ct. The officer selects the corre-
spending declaration, writes the
name of an inspector-whom he
calls from the hne-upon it, and di-
rects immediate examination. This
is usually sufficiently thorough. In
spectors, through long practice, be-
come involuntary disciples of Lava
ter. and such expert critics of hui
man nature that they almost intui-
lively detect attempted fraud. Du-
table articles, not declared as such,
are brought out, valued by the at
tendant appraiser, entered, with val
ue attached on the declaration, and
the owner is obliged to pay the
requisite duty to clerk in attend
ance for the purpose of receiving it.
The inspector also signs his name to
the declaration.
The efficiency and courtesy of the
deputy surveyor, and also of the in
spectors on the dock, together with
the delicate discharge of their not
particularly pleasing duties, are
worthy of high praise. Exceptions
are few and far between. The ques
tions asked about dresses, laces,
cloaks, etc, are not invariably met
with precisely truthful rejo;nders.
To cheat Uncle Sam in revenue mat
tiers is regarded as a decidedly venial
sin by most of his children, native
or adopted. This notion is doubt
less an unconscious remnant of the
freebooting ethics of forgotten ances-
tors. 1t is slowly yielding to the
higher and better ideas. Even the
are not exempt from the
smuggling mania. One gentleman,
whose name is synonymous with al
most fabulous wealth, returning
from Europe in company with his
wife, was compelled to pay about
81 800 in duties on her enormous
stock of wearing apparel, which he
was not dutiable. wheth-
ar it had or had not been worn. He
to the Secretary of the
Treasury, who decided against him.
He then brought suit within ninety
lays in the United States Court.
His wife swore that a portion OF the
whole had been worn in good faith.
The duties paid on that portion were
refunded, while those on the remain
der were retained.
Smuggling is carried on in many
ways, and will be carried on while
human nature continues to be what
t is. Foreign retail traders are adept
instructors in the art of evading the
of duties, as any one who
las been in the lace establishment
If Des Marets and other merchants
1t Brussels can testify. The ingenu
ty ofinspectors is taxed to the ut
ermost to defeat their schemes. Fe-
male inspectors are employed to
search persons of their own sex who /
ire sent to them by the deputy sur
reyor for that purpose. OF these in
;pectresses there are nine. In 1866 |
here were only four. Theseinspec |
resses perform their duties, both at
Castle Garden and on the docks, in |
.ooms set apart for such searches.
Recitals of their experiences are at
,nce amusing and humiliating to
he believers in the natural good
less of men. German Jews are
more addicted to smuggling than
seople of other nationalities, but
lone are altogether free from the
ice. Modistes and dressmakers are
naturally the most frequent and fla
rant offenders. Extra gold watch
IS laces, silks, linens, wound around
be body or limbs human hair in
oupees, wigs and switches, sewn
nto skirts; new dresses stitched to
Id ones; silks and laces made up
nto several voluminous skirts-are
lmong ordinary discoveries. One
wight, suspected of COM
,licity in feminine designs, was
ound to have two sets of point lace |
n the crown of his hat.-HarDer's.