Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-14

60 tnS comments Went Until sfo snss
two piles we're reached, when the
osAkxr began TO fear that uore would
conne in than could be supplied. lie
repeated very carefully: :" have only
got enough for two more. Let the rest
watt
Such IL payday in the Turkish navy.
Not long since there was suggestion
that the salaries Of the custom-house
officials be placed upon the same foot
ing as those Of the general employees Of
the Government. The suggestion was
unofficial, but it met, so it is said, with
quick remonstrance, and the statement
that such step would decrease the
revenue by from one half to two thirds,
the implication being that as salaries
would no longer be sure, the officials
would be all the more open TO brides.
But il is not the custora-house officials
that are to blame for considerable
part Of the smuggling and cheating that
goes on. II is custom that cases adj
dressed to a foreign legation should
pass unopened.
A few weeks since large case passed
through in that way, called for by the
cavass' or military attendant Of
certain embassy. The customs officials
let it pass as usual, but took the pre-
caution to send guard along in sight
Of the porter who claimed the case.
The porter, instead Of going to the en-
bassy, took the case to the house of
prominent merchant. The guard
stepped up, stopped the porter, and
ordered it returned to the cgstom-
house. There it was opened and
found to contain laces, ETC., to the
value Of several thousand dollars. A
few days later another case was follow
ed in like manner, going under the
escort Of another legation, and with a
similar result. A certain minister
said that he was constantly receiving
applications to admit things over his
name. One day one Of the personnel
of his embassy had notice that a
package awaited him at the custom
house. He went down and found it..
Ii bore his name, but he knew nothing
about it. 1t was opened, and found
to contain cigars Of considerable value.
He paid the duty, took the custom
house receipt, and carried the box
home. After some time gentleman
came and asked if he had received a
box from such a place. Mr.. G. an
swered that he had. The gentleman
said that it was intended for himself,
and wished to take it. Certainly, he
should have it if he would pay what
Mr.. 6. had paid to secure it. The
receipt was produced and the amount
paid. Mr.. G. was not troubled with a
continuance Of such requests.
There is one method of paying duties
which works rather strange results at
times. 1t is recognized principle that
if any importer is dissatisfied with the
valuation put upon his goods, and con-
siders the tax exorbitant, he can pay in
kind. The result is that the custom
house store is overloaded with all man
ner of useless articles, which go
for mere song at some auc-
/ ton, or else the custom-hOuSe
authorities become practical accesso-
ries to influences entirely foreign to their
habits or beliefs. At one time the au-
thorities thought to prevent the impor-
tation Of the Scriptures by imposing
very heavy duties. The result was
that the duties were paid in kind, and
the custom-house became, for the nOnce,
Bible depot, where English, French,
German, Greek, and other Scriptures
could be bought very cheaply. This
went on for some little time, until some
one told the director.
"Don't you see that you are just
playing into the hands of these Bible
and missionary societies ? You are
practically doing their own work gratu-
itously Selling their books to a class
of people that they reach with diff
Guilty :"
That phase had never appeared to
the directors mind before. /" MaShal-
lab, that won't do :" and word was
sent to the importers to take their
Scriptures at their own price, and
henceforth to pay on the old basis.
The foreign office here has lost one of
its ablest men. AItin Eliendi, an
American Of great influence, thought
himself strong enough to cope with the
grand yizier. 1t was foolish attempt.
In such contest no Christian is on
equal terms with Moslem, and Artin
| fell. n nolitical ruin.