Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-12-31

these complaints are warranted by
the facts. II justidable, the govern
ment can and should redress the in
justice by appointing consular officers
and agents who can be trusted 10 obey
the laws under which they hold
their commissions. But whether
these alleged complaints be true
or false, the fact of Mercantile
undervaluations can not be denied.
To such Ah extent have these been
successfully attempted that some of
the largest and most reputable i'm
p0rters affirm that they have been in
a great measure driven out OF the
business. How this should be so, in
presence of all the precautions de-
scribed, is not at all clear. But ac-
cepting the statement that it is SO, it IS
evident that the utmost fairness and
vigilance should be exercised by the
customs officials. and especially in the
appraisers department. 1t is not at
all uncommon for importers and con-
signees to advance the inyoiGed val
ues on entering their goods, in order
to escape the additional penal duty
il the appraiser should advance
the valuation above ten per cent.
of the stated value. II dissatisfied
with his appraisement, they may
apply for re-appraisemept. In such
case the appeal OF the importer or con-
signee together with the invoice, is
referred by the collector to the gem
ersl appraiser, who fixes day for the
reappointment. He also sends the
appeal to the appraiser, with writ
ten request that the latter will give
the names of the importers of similar
goods. These names the appraiser in
scribes on the written request, and re
turns it to the general appraiser. He
also indorses on the back of the appeal
the names of the persons suitable for
selection as merchant appraisers. and
sends the appeal to the collector.
From the persons thus indicted, the
collector ordinarily chooses a mer-
chant appraiser, or he may select one
not named in the list. Two days be-
fore that of re-appraisement the gen
eral appraiser issues his summons to
importers of goods similar to those in
question to testify to their value on
the return day. This they do after
due examination, putting down their
estimates on blank invoices, TO which
they swear before the general APP
praiser. This officer, together with
the merchant appraiser, then exam
ines the goods, fixes prices, aad re-
ports to the collector. Only In case
Of disagreement between the two has
the collector the power and response
bility of final decision.
Since the advent to power of the
new national administration some
changes have been authoritatively
made in the forms of procedure with
IN the general appraisers Office. I'M
der the old system lawyers we're per-
mitted to appear III behalf of import
ers, and to examine and cross examine
witnesses. This, together with the
observance of some legal forms, gave
TO the general appraiser, merchant APP
praiser, and their action the semblance
of q judicial court, and as such it
came to be regarded. This construc-
ton and the practice that gave rise to
it were alike to be regretted. Reap
praisement is not in the nature of a
trial in a court of law, where
in the re-appraisingToficers act as
judges and render decisions accord
ing to the prepoEderance of evidence.
The reappraising board has the same
functions as the original appraisers,
and must judge, independently of ex-
perts. for themselves. 1t has only
qNaSijudicial powers, and has no au-
thorlty to permit the ross-examina-
ton of witnesses by importers or their
counsel, or to give publicity to their
testimony. The old method was not
the best for getting at positive knowl-
edge of TIE facts, and was liable to
the further objection of being decided
ly and unnecessarily expensive to APP
pellants.
1t is to the credit Of Secretary Man
ming (by order of June 8, 1855 and
his subordinates that all this has been
changed by excluding lawyers from
the room in which the general and
merchant appraisers hear appeals and
settle all questions relating to values
after carefully examining as many
subppnaed witnesses as the protested
ly sggrieved importer chooses to call.
Half a dozen reputable merchants,
producing samples and invoices, con-
scientously examining and valuing
goods with which they are familiar,
enable the the general and merchant
appraisers TO compare values and de-
eide on specific cases before them
with greater ability and equity than
are probable under the forms of legal
procedure. Such assistance is of as
much value as that afforded by the
specialized reports of experts in the
places of expectation, If not more.
The decisions of the appraising board
are not now made known in presence
Of interested parties, but are sent I'M
der seal to the collectors, importers,
and particularly those of highest char
acter for business probity, are better
pleased with the present arrangement
than with the old one.
Good Housekeeping.
ABILITY to be a perfect housekeep-
er, says Miss Parloa. lis not confer
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