The herald., 1895-09-28
IS ZANTE CURRANT A GRAPE !?
An Absurd Question but an
Important One
SENATOR WHITES BRIEF
The Testimony Arranged by tie Local
Federal Officials
Rooted Specimen Of the Zanta currant
Shows it to Be Craps; No
More; No Less
Associated Pross Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
SAN FRANCISCO. Sept. 27.-Ths
Zante currant case will probably go on
trial next month.
1t is now pending before Judge McKen-
ma of the United States circuit court, but
proceedings have been delayed owing to
the slowness with which the general ap-
praisers in New York have been moving
in the matter. They were requested,
when the present suit was instituted. to
forward all the papers bearing on the is-
sue which they had in their possession,
but these have not yet been received here.
As soon as they arrive the local customs
authorities will be in condition to pro-
ceed. The question to be decided is
whether the amended tariff law places a
duty on all foreign currants OF the Zante
variety imported into this country, no
matter whsre raised, whether,
other hand, such duty is only to apply to
the currants which come from the island
OF Zante itself. The position of the local
customs authorities is that the former
view of the case is the correct one. and
acting on this idea, they some months
since duly charged the regular import
tax against a large consignment OF the
currants imported by s. l.. Jones & Co.
OF this city. The importers protested
that as the currants had come from the
Morea and not from Zante. they were net
not dutiable and carried the question be-
fore the board OF general appraisers in
New York. That pody sustained the ap-
peal, reversing the decision of the local
custom house officials. The latter then
obtained permits sion from the secretary
of the treasury TO carry the matter into
the circuit court, where, as has peen al
ready stated, it is now pending.
United States Senator White has all
ready filed brief in the case which is
elaborate and very strong document.
In it he goes at length into the entire
question, citing proof apparently iDsur-
mountable to establish the fact that con-
gress. in making the tariff amendments
never had the slightest idea of taxing the
product of the isle OF Zante and exempt
ing that of all the remainder of Greece.
The absurdity of protecting the Amer
ican producers against the tri1ing COM
petition of one little island, while leay-
ing them open to be overwhelmed by the
producers of practically all the remainder
of the foreign world is shown up in
strong colors.
The testimony which the local federal
othclals has arranged 1or the opening OF
the trial IL to the same effect, very
strongly backing up the position who h
his associates in the customs service aud
himself have taken. One of the additions
to it, as may be stated. is rooted q speci-
men of the vine on which the so-callsd
'Zante currant" is grown. A glance is
all that is necessary to prove that the al
legged currant is nothing more nor less
than grape. this having always been
contended by the local authorities.
Every effort is to be made to hurry the
matter forward, and as already irti-
mated, it is expected that the hearing
will take place next month.