The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-04-10
MUST Be EXAMINED.
Secretary Fosters Decision Re-
garding Consular Seals
AS AFFECTING CANADIAN ROADS.

Our Northern Neighbors May No
Longer Send Their Goods Through
Without the Regular Customs Ex-
amination-One Railroad That Did
Its Own Sealing.
WASHINGTON, April 10.-These are
rather stormy times for Canadian in
terests in Washington. The exit of the
Canadian commissioners is about to be
followed by very important ruling Of
Secretary Foster, which may be con.
sidered by the Canadians as another at
tack upon their interests. The secre-
tary has come to conclusion on one
branch of the long controversy which
has been going on between American
and Canadian railroads.
The order in the matter will be pro-
mulgated in day or two. II will do
away with the system of consular seals
and the bonding privileges which the
Canadian railroads have SO long en-
joyed, and which the American roads
have attacked as an un-American dis
elimination. The matter was first in
vestigated by Senator Cullom's inter
state commerce committee, but no leg
islation resulted.
Secretary Fosters Promptness.
Then Secretary Window began an in
vestigation about year ago, the hear
ings being attended by large numbers
of railroad men and by Secretary Blaine,
who was much interested in the mat
ter. At the time of Secretary Win
dom's death he was about to render
decision, but his death turned the mat
ter over to his successor. Secretary
Foster has acted without delay, for the
decision comes within few weeks of
his entering office. Under the coming
decision Canada's roads will be cut off
from important advantages which they
have long enjoyed. Heretofore when
goods have been imported from foreign
countries through Canada to tile United
States there has been no customs ex-
animation at the border.
The United States consuls at Mon
treal, Quebec, Victoria and other
points have been permitted to bond
these goods directly through to their
point of destination in the United
States The goods were loaded upon
cars in Canada and the United States
consul then sealed up the door of the
car with his consular seal. This car
ried it to the point of destination in the
United States without any customs ex-
animation.
Did Its Own Sealing.
It has been proved that one Canadian
road had complete outfit for manufac-
turing these United States consular
seals, and that 1t put them on and took
them off as it saw fit, without reference
to the United States consuls, who were
supposed to do the sealing. Such an
abuse cannot occur when the goods are
examined at the boundary.
Under the order which Secretary Fos-
ter is about to issue there will be no
more consular seals, and no more bond
ing goods through from Canada The
/ United States. consuls in Canada will
have nothing whatever to do with the
shipping of foreign goods or expedlting
their transportation to their destination.
Will BE Examined Here.
The goods will hereafter undergo the
customs examination at the point where
they first touch American territory.
The order transfers all the machinery
of examination from the Canadian side
to the American side. Goods which
have heretofore received consular seals
at Montreal, Quebec and other places Of
shipment, and have been carried across
the boundary by this seal, will no
longer have this consular passport, but
will be stopped at the border and re-
ceive the usual customs inspection there,
1t is expected that this change win be
of material advantage to American
roads, and particularly to the Pacific
roads,