New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-29
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
THE POWERS OF APPRAISERS.

A PROTEST AGAINST SOME OF THE PROVISIONS
OF THE M'KIYLEY ADMINISTRATIVE BILL
To- the Editor ofThc Tribune.
Sir: l Republican, untsinted with mug
wumpery, and for twenty-five years The Tribune mas
been my oracle. For this reason j ask space ID
your columns to protest vigorously against some OF
tho provisions of the Mckinley Administrative DILL
which was passed In the House Of Representatives
Saturday last.
IT is natural to expect in country like ours that
some men will be sent TO Congress who have no
natural ability or fitness for such position.
but it is really dlshearening TO see that
tile present House contains so few members
who understand even a little about the business OF
importers. What shall be said OF the large number
of Representatives who voted for the amendment
offered by Mr. Dayne, which provided that II an I'M
porter was dissatisfied with Collectors assessment
OF duty, his goods should be held In government
bonded warehouse Till the final determination of the
controversy HE resolution itself implied ignor
ance because the greater part of the merchandise I'M
ported passes directly into the hands OF the importer
the day Of arrival excepting OF course, the sample
cases which are retained by the Government for ex-
animation Thus tits clear that the resolution, IL IL
had passed. would have necessarily been imperative
as to goods entered for consumption, yet l DO no'
find that single Representative objected to tho
amendment that ground.
The fifteenth section of the bill, as passed, pro
vldes for the appointment Of board OF nine general
appraisers, three Of whom to sit In New-iork
and invests them with autocratic power, such a.
has never been and never safely be conferred
upon individuals Their decision to the classified
ton OF imported merchandise and the rate OF duty
10 be paid IS final absolutely and unalterably. Inc
right of an importer to 60 into court and there adduco
evidence concerning his importation is abolished, ana
his property may be taken from him at the beheSt OF
two Government officers, human, fallble, and per-
haps temptable. Are the importers Of this country
thus Unfortunately to be branded as rogues ana
thieves whom it is unsafe to trust, even with an
appeal to the courts? Shall the right to Jury trial.
which is accorded to murderer caught redhanded
In his crime be wrested from those who import foreign
merchandise and who honestly think a Collectors
assessment of duty is wrong Can 1t be that senar
tors who are now considering this bill will thus
stamp their heels upon the business OF importing
The argument Of the friends of this IS this
THE Government has the right to prescribe te con ,
ditiOns upon which merchandise may be importer.
Perhaps So 1t may have the nght' but ~n t,o ~
the policy of party which thus III one enaG,Jn NH
alicnates from it, support large class OF nen-
gent cltizens Do senators think that legislation so
Insulting to importers VIII be forgotten OF oNcilooheu
when the ballots fall into the ballotboXes7 - -
! know the names Of many who. like myself, are
lifelong Republicans, and who grlcve To sec that INC
opposition to this section seems to be confined to the
Democratic side. l know many whose allegiance 10
the Republican party has never before been ques,,
toned, who now waver and hesitate. As one OF
them said to to-day "My sails are shaking In the
wind ! appeal TO the Senate to consider carefully
whether this fifteenth section is not very long step
in the direction Of despotsm President Harrison
said during the last campaign that no steps ought TO
be taken in that direction When, In the last Con
gress the senate passed tariff bill containing essen
TALLY this provision, the contention OF senators
Evars and Rdmnnds that it was unconstitutional was
unavailng and unheeded II now senators shall again
act upon the theory that all knowledge upon customs
questions dwcs in the minds Of the Finance Commit
tee, and that their recommendations should pass I'M
questioned and II they again sanction this deprivation
of iYpfn Mol 4 N
minaton Of question of fact. most Of them will live
long enough TO see that very grave mistake has
been committed. ! refuse to believe That the senate
will enact this section. S.
Brooklyn, Jan. %, 1890