New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-21
MR.. CHAPLIN TRIES TO EXPLAIN.

HOW THE Ex-MAYoRS BAGGAGE GOT ASHORE
OTHER CU.TOMs COMPLICATIONS.
Ex-Mayor Alfred c. Chaplin, Of Brooklyn went 10
the Custom House yesterday to explain the uouoe
landing his baggage from the fuerst blsmarch
on Saturday night without permit. Mr. Chapih sao
that a friend whose name was Kelly. met him on the
steamer and he understood that Mr. Kelly had per
NIT for the ex Mayor and his baggage. Mr.. Chaplin
and his WIFE with their cabin baggage took the yacht
OF Shore Inspector Ferguson and went to Bay RIDGE
where Mrs Chaplin and the baggage were landed, ana
then Mr.. Chaplin went TO the Barge once ana let
word that he taken his trunks home and that the
inspectors could examine them by going to his house
The Custom House people thought this action on the
mart OF Mr. Chaplin more than usually COOL particularly
az no hermit had been issued. The officers did 60 out
to his house. but they brought back the baggage ehs
Mr. Chaplin that he had violated the revenue laws and
they would to seize it. 1t is now In the seizure
room at the Custom House.
1t appears that Mr. Kelly called twice at the Custom
House for a permit meet Mr.. Chaplin, and both the
Surveyor and Collector refused to give permit. as
they have uniformly done since the beginning OF the
cholera quarantine. Mr.. Chaplin explained that he
had no intention OF violating the law. While nj inc
Custom House he declared the rest Of his goods, and
said that they all personal property. 1t was
found however. that the four trunks and four cases
contained household property, which In the eyes OF
the appraisers entirely different classes OF goods
AS lawyer not unacquainted With the construction OF
statutes and a Congres sman WELL the Custom House
people say should have known the difference. These
goods are held pending appraisal BY mistake they
have the seizure where the baggage
is, but they not seized. Mr.. Chaplin Will proba
bly, be permitted to take his goods and pay the duty
The captain OF the Fuei.t Bismarck Is not IN town
and the vessel Will be allowed TO sail until he ex
plains how Mr. Chaplin was allowed TO go ashore. 1t
Is not believed, however that he had personal know1
edge OF the Mr.. Kelys part In the landing viii
be investigated.
The agents of the Etruria called at the Custom
House and said that Captain Haines would come to-
day and explain his action in allowing Richard Dorney
TO visit AueustiL DAILY without permit Deputy Col
lector Phelps said that there would probably be NJ
trouble over that case for the Cunard line gave the
officers little trouble as compared with other foreign
steamship lines. Tho captains were extremely par
ocular in obeying overy regulation and the present
lapse was doubtless o mistake.
The agents of the steamship Rugia went to the Gus
tom House and asked Deputy Collector Couch to have
officers sent down the bay take the captains decara
ton and enter the vessel Tey said that DR.. jenkins
objected to the captain coming ashore although the
passengers had been aGded and the Health Occr was
willing have the vessel unoad,d IL was the ntci
ton 10 unload on lighters and sail I'm ballast without
bringing the vessel 70 the pier. Mr.. Couch replcd
that he had authority TO allow the vessel to enter
all right and her f to be landed, there was
no reason why the captain should not come up, ana II
she ell right 1t not proper tlat she Should
enter at all