The sun., 1891-06-12

TIE stevy that the Ouahs Mas Beer Evss-
tag the Payment OF Cestens Deslee.


The stony that the Ouahs Has Bee~ Evss-
sug the rsymest OF Costons Dessee.
WASHINGTON. June 1.-THE return Of the
Omaha and the Swatnra from the Asiatic
station TO the Mare Island Navy Yard has
caused q revival OF tho charge that the
officers and crews OF our war ships hahitu-
ally bring from foreign countries dutiable
merchandise Without paying the revenue
charges on IL. According to the accounts In
the San Francisco newspapers. Treasury
agent has discovered that the Omaha proceeded
to Mare Island without being inspected by
Chstom House officers. and on looking further
into the matter has found 10 the officers QUAR-
ters silk gowns and ornaments. worth thou
sands OF dollars, which were brought from
China without paying duty.
As this story runs. the fault would primarily
appear to be that Of tho customs authorities
for allowing the Omaha to enter without lit
spection. 1t was their business 10 cxam mine her
for dutiable goods, and the officers OF the ves-
eel were bound to nut no obstacle In their way.
and TO pay any dut es that were lawfully and
properly assessed. But no one pret nds that
itwas incumbent on them to stay away from
tho navy yard simply because the inspecting
officers had not visited her. or to take means to
call the attention Of the Treasury Department
frat American port entered by the Omaha a.
ter her return was San Diego. and this may
account for the alleged failure TO promi tly in
spect her at San Francisco
stiil the explanation attributed to tho Navy
Department Is not quite reassuring. 1t
10 that tho department has not yet loaned
that any considerable quantity Of goods was
smurkled In. and further. that while the officers
and crews OF vessels usually brluG homo more
oe. less merchandise. mostly for friends at
home. the matter 10 o trifinR one. rs tho
entire amount Of duty In such cases rarely
reaches 81 ,OOO." and ia always paid on demand.
1t Is. Of course. not to be presumed that tho
Officers are engaged in smuggling goods for
general trade. Tut that the Ier.ons for whom
the foreign goods are brought In are their
families or friends. Hence. also. In the nature
Of the case. their importations are not very
great In value Still the question is not as to
the amount OF the alleged smuggling. but as to
whether 1t 10 carried on at all.
Now 1t is very clear that tho officers OF vessels
recently returninEfrom foreign coun:ries ought
to have shown unusual circu Inspection In this
matter. alter the debate upon It In tho Fifty
first Congress. Whom the bill for transferring
the revenue marine to the navy came up. one
Of tho grounds on which Senator Sherman OPP
posed and successfully obstructed 1t was that
navy OHlcoTb were 30 mucu QlNon 10 IuEtlNoly
bringing homo from foreign countries dutiable
merchandise that they ought not to be In
trusted with the enforceme OF the revenue
laws Whom It ie remen bsred that MIR. Sher-
ury. and accordingly should speak with moro
than ordinary authority on the subject. there
IL something very striking 10 his remarks
reputation 10 not always at fnult the naval officers
are generally supposed To be the arRrst snuYxies in
our country In proportion 20 their number and the
salt I suppose there . scarcely naval vessel that
comes our ports but what has goods that under tho
st,iSt rsnK ct 1ns aTIs.sury w2nld DC to duy
that Wholesale smuggling which ne seems 20 think 10
snEaged In ny naval officers IL part OF the high runc
ton from which We are .otne to call them when wo
Mr. shormAn-t think they will stick to their hiRh
function o smuggling more than they Will to their
duty OF guarding A. ANS; snnkKnR levennc marine
offeer cannot enter war vessel Of the United states
and inspect he would mmrrciAl vessel,
paying duty.
The same views were held by Senator Cock
roll ant others. and were also urged by MIR.
Edward lark. formerly chiet Of the revenue
marine. who opposed the transfer. Last year
cigars were smuggled hy he nIas;er-at-arms
oi the Galenn. who then deserted and maLe
his way back to Cuba.
The exact facts in the case OF the Omaha
will perhaps be disclosed by the report OF tho
Treasury agent. But It Is clear enough thai.
after such discussion as the one in the Som
ate. navy of1lf ers would do well 10 take extra
paine to avoid the chance OF h"stile criticism
On this score. even at tho rick OF offending
execution OF little commission as the result OF
their cruises to foreign lands.