The San Francisco call., 1896-06-28

hope of helping the fourteen leper in
mates of the pesthouse, was subject to
duty, and further that the same must be
paid prior to it's removal from the Custom
house.
Mr.. Wise's decision, however, was
prompted by the accidental discovery OF a
ruling made by the General Appraisers
twelve months ago in practically similar
case. The Collector had about agreed with
Mr.. Benjamin that the specific was enti-
tied to free entry when one of his clerks
brought to light decision by General Ap-
praiser Summerville rendered June 6,
1895, which reads as follows:
The merchandise covered d by the protest in
this case consists of twenty bottles of a
medicinal preparation known as "antltoxlne," " ,
which was imported under the tariff act OF
August, 1894, and was assessed for duty at %
per cent ad valorem under paragraph %
OF said act as a medicinal preparation
not especially provided for therein.
The article is claimed to be free of duty
under paragraph 5S5 OF said tariff act as
a scientific preparation specially imported in
good faith for the use Of a society or institu-
tion incorporated or established for religious,
philosophical educational or scientific or lit
erary purposes and Tot intended for sale.
We find as matter OF fact that the mer-
chandise in question was imported by the
city Of Chicago, a municipal corporation in
the State of Illinois for free distribution by
the health department of said city to certain
hospitals.
We hold that a municipal corporation like
the city of Chicago is not a society or institu-
ton Of the kind described in said paragraph
5S5 and that the importation is therefore not
Collectors decision affirmed.
The contention of Mr.. Benjamin was
founded on section 585 of the Wilson tariff
bill, which says:
Philosophical and scientific apparatus, uten-
sils, instruments and preparations, including
bottles and boxes containing the same; stat
uaTy, casts of marble, bronze, alabaster or
plaster of paris; paintings, drawings and
etchings, specially imported in good faith for
the use of any society or institution 1ncor-
porated or established for religious, ph1lo-
sophical, educational, scientific or literary
purposes, or for encouragement OF the tne
arts, and not intended for sale.
The Supervisor held that the remedy
was scientific preparation, and as it
was imported for charitable purposes,
came we'll within the law. Collector Wise
entertained similar ideas and was on the
eve of ordering the goods delivered to Mr..
Benjamin, when Summerville's decision
was discovered. The Collector was sorry
that this thing had been unearthed and
readily admitted 10 the philanthropic
Supervisor that San Francisco consider
ing the tax levy and the hundreds of extra
men drawing fat salaries, was certainly
charitable institution, but the law was
plain and must be enforced
The value OF the i'm mportation is hardly
$500, the duty amounting to $40 25. This
will be paid next Tuesday.
Among the Japanese and others who
have had indirect experience with DR..
Goto's leprosv cure there is an abiding
faith as to its efficacy. Mr.. Benjamin has
paid particular attention to the unhappy
inmates OF the Pesthouse and in many
ways endeayored to assist them. Some
time ago he heard OF the Goto remedy and
determined to secure a sup
ply for he local sufferers. In short time
some 5000 was collected and an order for
warded to the Japanese physician for
such quantity as the inclosed would
buy"
The last steamer from the Orient
brought the remedy, and incidentally a
surprise to the Supervisors. Instead of a
convenient package such as could be
easily carried there came to the address of
Mr.. Benjamin four large cases weighing
fully ton. In the Appraisers building
one of the cases was opened, and then
more than a hundred little square boxes
were seen. There are three remedies in
one-two to be taken internally and the
third in the form of a bath.
In the latter case the patient is in
structed to place the herb in line n bag,
which is then to be deposited in a bath
tub in water 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The water mnst cover well the shoulders
of the bather, and this operation must be
gone through with twice between the
hours of A. M. and P NJ Every five days
a rest must be taken. In the second box
was found packages of finely powdered