The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-01-27
ouR cUsToM HOUSE sysT6ss.

OUR CUSTOM HOUSE sYsT6ss.
Benefits and Special Privileges Bestowed
Upon the Few.
II Is quite evident that the great
blessings OF paternalism as at present
practiced BY the govern mont are not
fully understood or appreciated by
the people. Paternalism is only OBJ
jectionable to the class that is crying
out so loudly against it when 1t is
proposed to extend it SO as to embrace
all the people in the enjoyment Of
the privileges it bestows. When linn
tied to q few favorites il is entirely
satisfactory. We could ask no better
illustration of this fact than is afforded
by our present custom house system.
y What proportion of the people OF
the United States understand this
sYstemP Evidently it is very small
otherwise a cry would go up against
It which could not fail to sooner or
later command hearing. It affords
an example of special privilege
almost without parallel in the bust.
ness affairs of any nation or time.
What is custom house? asks the
Topeka Advocate and Tribune. 1t is
public building erected by the gov
eminent at the expense of the whole
people.
What purpose does it serve. and to
what use is it devoted? It contains
the Offices of local custom house Off
cials. and space for the storage of
imported goods under their custody
and care
So long as tariff system is main
tanned. it will not be denied that local
officers are necessary, nor will the
propriety of government ownership
of the Offices necessary for their
accommodation be called in question.
As'we DO not now contemplate a dis
cussion of this feature of the system,
all that relates to it may be dismissed
for the present It is only proposed
at this time to discuss the paternal
features of our custom house system
as practiced for the benefit of the
favored few.
The importer of goods from foreign
ports has the privilege of storage in
the custom houses of the United
States. under the regulations pro-
vided. for the term of three years
from date of importation. during all
of which time the duty on the goods
may remain unpaid. Here is a
special privilege of immense benefit
to the importer. Were it not for this
privilege two things would be neces-
sary:
First-He would be under the neces-
sity Of erecting warehouses at his own
expense for the storage of his own
goods This would necessitate the
investment of his private capital
where now the money of the people
is invested for his benefit
Second-As he would then take
possession of and store his own goods
in his own warehouse Immediately on
their arrival in this country the
safety of the revenue would require
the immediate collection OF the duty.
In this manner also largo amounts
of private capital would be tied up in
duties paid upon goods in store and
which is practically loaned by
the government to the merchant for
such time as he may desire within
the limits Of the statute.
/ During all the time these goods
may remain in store they are in the
care and custody Of government OIL.
Gals whose salaries are paid by the
people.
1t will not be difficult for the aver
age reader to comprehend the bene.
fits of the special privileges thus
bestowed upon few individuals bu
we would be pleased to have Republi
can editors who are such ardent ad
mlrers OF this system. and wht
experience nervous shock whenever
any proposition is suggested tina
contemplates the extension of equal
privileges to all American citizens.
point out just what benefit our Gus
tom house system is to the masses O
the people who foot the bills. Viii
they do it? Well hardly. 1t woule
be too great a departure from thei
r methods. This article is intended tt
be suggestive only. 1t by no mean.
exhausts the subject but we do no
look for any light to be thrown upor
it from the Republican side. It is !.
question. however for the people t.
consider and Judging the future BY
the past they will probably solve i
for themselves without aid from tn.
Republican press
Education in Patriotism.