New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-05
PART II.
DEC. 5, 1889.

Government has been fortunate IN the seecIon u
these officers, and wths landing the nhsnciai ooi
cations 10 the railroad companies, they nave nea "a
even hand between them ana the Govcrnmen. nu.
requires only a statement OF the case 10 nisclose
temptation and motive, In the case oil t"o nas'es, "a
serve the one paying the most money inc torsss
lions vicious and can he supporter by no hohos'
or administrative argument . -,
II Is earnestly recommended that collectors be COM
pensated by fixed salaries. ana ihat 'hsy sna IT,,
directly Indirectly. because of their Office receive
any other pecunary fee or compensation Whatever.
CONSOLIDATION OF CUSTOMS DISTRICTS AN0
READJUsTMENT OF SALARIES.
The consolidation of customs collection districts has
been the subject Of frequent Recommendation 10 Con
gress Legislation this regard Is ags ecoomended
In the interest of economical ami eics:g. service
In the early organization OF collection districts re-
gard had the then existing conditions Of oIr
Commerce and foreign trade confned 70 tho ports.
The laws for their organization made them 20 COM
Shores. aud rivers connscted ' herewith 10 interior
lines were described, then :onRd necessary -
Foreign merchandise arrived by Sailiuc vessels and
was entered at various sca-portS Of irs arrival Bu2
the changed conditions wrought by steam carriage sna
other agencies have DESTROYED the commercial I'm:
porlanee OF many Of the oldme sea ports, ana csrrec
trade inland, building up great commercial centres
removed from the former lines Of water transporA.
collection districts exist now only in name and n
their demands on the Government for money TO do
srss H o sSds IN thew b. as
and their territory included in other districts, caro-
and nIf The eco, conveucDc c of the merchant marine
Comparatively recent legislation has authorired ne
payment OF duty and interior ports are rvaling those
Of the sea coast in the they return to the
."tiSu dsrfeds that have vedeDed bondariss,
Others are ports delivery. with no jurisdictions
entire country is open to trade. and dutiable goods
Transported to all parts Of H. certain portions are
1t is uncertain what collector, II any may exercise
jurisdiction in Of fraud committed therein 90 the
customs revenue The useless collection districts
should be abolished. and new ones established wher.
demanded In the interest OF safe and economica
IL az VI
be an early reconstruction of collection districts with
well-dehned boundaries TO include the entire territory
In doing this unnecessary Offices should be abolished.
ports OF growing importance. new offices should be
established TO meet the needs OF the service Inc
inade1nafe should be ncres sed TO be made COM
mensirate with the important and responsible duties
devOlving upon thom
REVISION OF CUSTOMS LAWS.
MANY of the refornatory changes IN the customs
laws above suggested have been embodied in form
or another in bills introduced in the last Congress.
These doubtless the result Of careful investigation
and consideration BY the appropriate committees, and
approval of my Immediate predecessor. II is not I'M
probable that these or similar measures Will be again
introduced. with bstter promise OF enactment.
Relieving the changes thus proposed would greatly
benefit customs administration. l urgently recommend
them TO the early and favorable consideration OF Com
gress. -, ,,., ..,.
invite attention 10 the necessity for complete codin
cation and revision Of the customs laws, TO mclud?
such notifications and new provisions as practice ana
/ experience have demonstrated are required for tho
efficiency Of the system.
Materials for such codfcation and revision havs
been collected and partially formulated under my
direction. by competent Officers OF this department
These materials are intended for, and will be at tho
/ disposal Of Congress.
CONFERENCES OF LOCAL APPRAISERS.
Quarterly conferences of local appraisers, undev
special appropriation for that purpose have been held
regularly at New York during the year.
The anticipated benefits OF these conferences have
been realized in more uniform apprasements ana
classification the several ports, and generally in
moro intelligent and satisfactory administration of this
important branch OF the customs service
These officers at their conferences. have also ma
terIay aided the Department by their advice upon
important questions of classification which from ume
time, have been submitted 10 them for their opinion
1t Is recommended that tho appropriation for thess
conferences be continued.
EXPENSES OF COLLECTING THE REVENUE FROM
CUSTOMS.
Should the fund for the expenses OF collecting tbs
revenue from customs continue TO be derived from .
permanent appropriation with the addition Of the con-
ngent receipts from certain sources now available
should be materially increased to meet the changes
conditions since 1t was last fixed by enactment.
Serious embarrassments have occurred several times
nroyeG to deay the necessary
of collection. the average annual cost OF winch OK
ceeds ~ 100000.
The fund at disposal is derived from the permanent
annual appropriation Of T5.50o,0OO made by the ace
of March 5; 1871. and in addition thereto such sums
as may be received from fines penalties and foreitrrs
connected with the customs and from fees paid into
the Treasury by customs, and from storage. carriage:
drayagc labor and services which, on the date Of
the passage of the act. Amounted 10 nearly T2OoooOo
soH 9ee have S diminished about 81 900 600 in con,
sequence of legislation affecting fines. penalties, and
forfeitures and the abolition OF many OF the officiai
Since 1871 the volume Of customs business has
largely increased The entire system OF transportation
of goods without apprasement at the ports OF first
arrival has been established involving additional ex.
pense through the creation Of new ports
Three times during this period there has been 9
deficiency i'm the means available for the expense OF
collecting the customs, causing much emoaSrassmens
ployes who were Obliged 10 wait for their pay until
| appropriations for deficiencies had been made
There has also been lack OF means to increase rho
efficiency OF the service. and to detect and prevens
frauds upon the revenue.
The maintenance OF this important branch OF rho
/ Government should not be dependent upon con-
tingent rec aips. always fuctuating In amount ana
mpossibe of accurate estimate 1t is suggested rhas
ali official receipts under the statute relative to tho
collection OF duties. and amounting to about 81 ,o0o.-
900 per annm be covered lnt3 , Inc be neancnt
annual appropriation for the expenses OF colecnns
the revenue from customs be increased 10 %''oo"ooo'
FOREIGN COMMERCE.
Tn, total value of our imports and exports Of
merchandise and specie during the last fiscal year
was s1613.137 633, an increase over the preceding
year OF SS7,473 SAB, and was greater than for any
''T The value Of the imports and exports Of mer.
chandse and specie during the last three nsc years
HN' Oee" 90 MERCHANDISE.
| 1857. 1888 $780,
s'fs 49, 'Ti ifss
rngss. s55s fs 20 'ss5 ss
& import: sss.s .ssoos COZ .s1s3a
SPECIE
1887. 1888. 1889.
Cold saApOr''- .... so7ol1s7 sls,s7e1s4 ssee52 ess