The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-29
Mr.. BAYARD WILL NOT INTERFERE
To Remove Excessive Penalties From
the Brig Josefa.
A Portland Vessels Experience With
Spanish Customs Law.
Missing Packages Valued at $50
Cause a Fine of $4,000.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-It is learned at
the Department Of State that the case of the
brig Josefa against the Spanish government
for indgnities, ETC., alleged to have been inn
pressed by customs officers at Porto Rico,
has been under investigation since
July 1887. The investigation has disclosed
the following facts:
In July, 1887, the American brig "Josefa'
Of Portland, Me-, entered the port Of Ar
roya, Porto Rico. having cleared from New
York In the previous month, when her man
ifest and bill Of lading were examined by
customs officials. Twenty boxes Of corn
starch valued at S36, were found to beon the
manifest and not ia the cargo. For this
shortage a fine of $500 per box, or $4,000 alto
gether, was imposed by the customs authori-
ties. Captain Snow protested and stated
that when he was taking on the cargo at
New York another vessel, bark OF name
very similar to his, was in port and near the
"J0sefa;" that she was loading under the
directions Of the same shipping agent as the
"J0sefa;" that receipts were signed by his
first mate, man named Nelson, and when
the manifest was handed him. [SnowJ he
signed 1t hurriediy, without paying much at
tention, and that the receipt for the boxes Of
corn starch were signed for by G. Olsen.
while the rest Of the cargo was signed for by
Nelson. Captain Snow presented the case
to the United States Consul, who presented
1t to the government of Porto Rico and
urged a remission, or at least reduction In
the fine. on the explanation thus offered.
This was refused and the Department OF
State wrote to the Treasury. Department and
learned that the bark "J0sephus" sailed
from New York for San Francisco, January
10, 1887. but the starch was not found on
board when she arrived nor was there any
one named Olsen on board. Her first mates
name was Kelly.
The case is striking from the fact that a
short shipment of $50 worth OF starch Eets
fine Of $1,000, but 1t is explained at the De
partment that the operation Of the Spanish
law Is marked by such extensive fines The
United States as well as England and Swe-
den, have endeavored to have this corrected,
but so far without success. 1t Is stated at
the Department that the Spanish ordinances
are framed on the theory that missing pack
ages not satisfactorily accounted for cover
successful smuggling operations. Judging
from the correspondence, the Spanish au-
thorities reason that20 boxes said to contain
merchandise Of little value appear to have
gone on board the "Josefa" at New York,
that the captains successive excuses have
been exploded; that there Is no evidence that
the 20 boxes contained corn starch; that they
may have contained opium or some other
valuable article and may have been success
fully smuggled ashore. Therefore the au-
thorities adhere to their maximum fine of
SzUO f0r each missing package, no matter
what the alleged contents may be. BY the
statute law of the United States an unex-
planned package is punishable with $500 fue
In view Of these facts 1t is intimated that
Secretary Bayard does not feel justified in
pressing demand for the remission in this
particular case and will defer bringing the
case to the attention Of the Spanish govern
ment until more satisfactory evidence is pro-
duced as to the actual disposition of the
starch
Maine Posimasters.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2s.-Flavyn A. Baker
has been appointed postmaster at East Mad
ison, Me. vice Robert Hayden, resigned,
and Ezra Andrews, at Wellington. vice Sum-
ner l.. Huff, resigned.