Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-05-15
a RIDICULOUS ERROR

n.
The Norfolk Landmark Yesterday
contained the following:
collector OF Customs Bowden re-
ceiEed communication yesterday
| rom Collector Of Customs Elliott, at
Newport News, notifying him thar he
had imposed fine OF $500 on an Eng
l'sh Vessel now in this port and re-
9uestins that it be collected. The cir
cufnstances are somewhat peculiar and
snow 70 some extent why it is that
-,sM pore . news mas grown SO important
us Il port or entry. This ship is one Of
a regu'ar line chartered as a coal car
rier by the Norfolk &. Western rail-
road She cleared from Rio Janeiro for
Norfolk some time since, and on her
arrival in Hampton Roads was stopped
bS the quarantine officer and held five
days. the usual time. Just as the quar-
antine officer took his departure and
the vessel was about to proceed to Nor
folk she was boarded by a Newport
News Custom officer. who commanded
her captain to enter and clear from
Newport News. AS he had cleared
from Rio for Norfolk he declined to do
! this.
This is the cause of the communica-
ton received by Collector Bowden yes
terdaE. Under ordinary circumstances
! Il notification Of this kind would receive
prompt treatment without the slightest
| investigation. But under the circum-
| stances of the case it is not likely that
| he will collect the fine unless he is or
t'ereol to do so by the Department at
| washington, with whom he has COM
| !nunicated. Had the vessel put in at
! Newport News. and there was no rea-
son for her so doing. that port would
| have been credited with what did not
| rightfully belong to her. and the fees
| attendant thcreupon would have added
to her Importance in the estimation OF
the Department. Cases of somewhat
| similar nature are said to be some
| what frequent"
| The Landmark, usually a reliable pa
per. has Numbered into ridiculous err
| ror which was probably prompted by
some one in the Norfolk custom house
who is jealous of the rapid growth Of
this port.
| The facts in the case. as explained by
| Collector of Customs ]. w. Elliott, are
as follows:
The steamship Canada. Captain N. "
| Monroe. arrived at Old Point from Rio
| .Ianeiro, May 3, and anchored in the
! Newport News district. She was held
in quarantine until May II. when Dep
uty Collector Smith at Old Point board
cd the ship and. after examining her
| papers, informed tne captain that he
| would have to come here to take out
| clearance papers.
Captain Monroe replied that he had
| cleared for Norfolk. knew his business
and did not propose to come here.
Deputy Collector Smith communicate
cd With Collector of Customs Elliott.
who was particular to ascertain that
| the Canada's papers showed that she
cleared from Rio for Hampton Roads
| and not for Norfolk.
| Yesterday Captain Monroe weighed
| anchor and sailed for Norfolk.
| AS the Canada had entered the New
port News district, it was clear to Col
| hector Elliott that her master had VIC :
lated the law and he at once commu-
| n Dnnc ytI
and also with Collector of Customs
| Eowden. into whose district the vessel
| sailed.
| Mr.. Elliott mentioned no fine at all,
| and the fact is that if Captain Monroe
is found guilty he. will not be assessed
$500. but $1,000, as prescribed by the
! law. 5
| Collector Elliott's point is we'll taken
| and he will doubtless be supported by
| the Treasury Department.