New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-27
A SETBACK FOR BATES.
IHE COMMISSIONER OF NAVIGATION BEAT
En- IN THE TONNAGE DUES MATTER.

| COMPELLED BY SECRETARY WINDOW TO ISSUE
AN ORDER INTERPRETING CORRECTLY THE
| SHIPPING ACTS OF 1884 AND 1886
BATES's BOLD COURSE
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rnIBuSEI
Washington, Nov. 26.-The Commissioner OF Navi-
CATION to-day addre> the following letter TO the
Collector Of Customs ~ New York:
Treasury Department, Office OF the Secretary,
Washington, D. c., Nov. &C. 1890
| Collector Of Customs Ncw.York.
Sir In constituting the circular from the Bureau OF Navi
cation dated February l. and in determining the La
hy Of vessels to the payment Ct Tonnage dues collectors
VIII look tn the real port OF departure ard actual voyage
The fact that vessel intermediate port, at
which it neither enters clears aud which touching -
merely incident Noyagc will deprive such vea
sci Of tn right derived from sailing from free port such
being it, port Of departure. Respectfully yours,
WILLIAM w. BATES Commissioner.
Approved: WILLIAM WINDOW.
Secretary Of the Treasury.
This decision settles u controversy of long standing
between certain steamship companies and the Bureau
of Navigation to the correct Interpretation Of the
Shipping acts Of lssi and 1856. The intent Of Con
grcss at the Hmc Of framing these laws was plain
enough SENSE of justice and decent regard for the
amenities Of international intercourse should not have
made 1t difficult for officer of the Government to
interpret the law correctly. But 1t happened that
each Commissioner of Navigation imagined himself
Obliged Ia sign the decisions prepared by an under
strapper. other ground. apparently, than that
they were based precedent. This undcrstrapper
like many other people who WELD power without
mourning it, responsibilities. possessed of an in
ordinate pride of opinion. The more he convinced
Of the Of his ways the he stuck to it, And
thus IL about that the Bureau Of Navigation
decided analogous questions submitted for its decision
time and again, in two more different ways just
it suited the fancy IF the undcrsirappcr That its
chief became the laughing stock Of his colleagues In the
Treas iry Department. that he virtually placed in
the position OF dcfyng his official superlors. and Of
swapping his finger, at the representatives Of foreign
and friendly Governments, who fled their protests and
waited for justice In vain. occurred to this
a,tutc m,ncrprcc or Of the law. lie went on making
hi, crratic decisions, thinking evidently that he
responsible to no one.
I'm an evil hour to him. however. Secretary Window
decided to investigate i'm person the complaints which
by thI, time had become too loud aud numerous to be
l,norcd That energetic Official made short work OF
the ridiculous decisions macc by the bureau Of Navi
cation aud the result OF that work IS the letter - the
Collector OF the Port Of New York. already given. II
is no secret that the Commissioner Of Navigation
fused 10 issue the order embodied letter until
directed to do 50 In rather peicmptory manner by
the secretary. 1t Is reasonable Ia suppose that.
Ike "a prudent man. he preferred 20 sign his name to
the letter Of instruction rather than to letter resign
INK hl, Office Hereafter he may be more careful
bcfor. he g. ignore the opinions Of the At
tofnc General defy III" secretary Of state and %
| bite his thumb At hl, immediate superior. Ncfchcr
viii the Eurcau OF NayisatiOn be quite 80 ready In
future 10 make Interpolation, IN official document, for
the purpose ~ twisting the meaning Of the law 70 suit
| ii, iaucc, and please II, ircnf,
The Tribune ha, more than once protested asains,
the Interpretation II the shipping acts Of l-oi and
1--6 laid down by the lurcau Of Navigation being
| unjust to friendly Governments and Of no earthly
benefit any At home and therefore will 10 doubt
regard the Vrc-cut order complete vindcaton Of
! the corrcc.uc., 90 H. views ou th!, subject In
cdcntllly il may interest some people 70 rad the FOL
! lowing letter written the official paper ~ the
| Treasury Department. which has come into the 20,
session ~ the pondcut Of The Tribune, and which
exhibits TIE Comm i--!oncr ~ Navi cation new Hight
Treasury Department. Bureau Z Navigation.
Wa.hinetou. D. G.. oct. =. 1880.
| Editor ~ The Tribune. N.w-Yofh
enclose you sample clip from letter from
friend rat.ur your editorial 81 Monday. The sta".
cnt article alluded q by lcnd b false. and
of H. You have Jumped on u me- Ike
murderer from dark alley. but sll live. Bang away
with your bludgcou,. Yours truly
WILLIAM W. BATES.
Yes. Bate, SIN lives and he long continue TO
i've. 10 improve hs temper his grammar and his
| ugthOgraphN.