The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-08-27
THE INFAMOUS RoBBER SYSTEM
ILLUSTRATED.

General Fred Grant, or more accur-
atelv Captafn Fred. has been travelling
abroad and like most Americans he
made some purchases. Arriving at the
seaport in his native land, he was made
to swear as TO what he had of "dutia-
HE goods" He gave the amount as $65,
and he was compelled to pay the tax
OF $33 on his small purchases. He got
off lightly. Some four years ago d
Charles Fonlan returned and he
paid more tax at the custom house on
some purchases than they actually cost
abroad. Captain Grant had also to sub
init to an ~overhauIing of his baggage
after he mad sworn as to what he had.
He says the examination was made to
ascertain whether he was the liar and
smuggler which this government pre-
all Of it's citizens to be-" And
this is Just one example of the drastic
tariff tax and the Infamous system of
espionage. The Baltimore Sun says
~pertinently CT this tariff experiences:
General Grant is an officer in the
United States army, holding a command
in the Philippines. 1t is assumed by
ever DOOy except llOSe WHO are z
SponSible for our customs regulations
that an officer n a gentleman is not
a willful, Dremeditated liar. If the war
department were as skeptical about the
ruthfulneSS of army officers as the
customs authorities are bou the YER
acity OF all men and women who "a
abroad. it would never know when to
credit the reports which are submitted
by commanders in the field. General
Grant. it may be assumed, will go to
Washington to consult with the secre-
tary of war
A bad system is sure to bring forth
corresponding practice. a robber tar
if tax is sure to produce expressions
n scandals in man ways. Grant be-
longs to the party that oppreses all.
the poor as we'll as the rich, the plain
people as we'll as nabobs.
1t is a detestable system at best, and
how really honest men can stand it IS
indeed passing strange. A distinguish
ed Russian is III New York on his way
to Texas. He has had his own expert
ence with tariff officials. He is report
ed in the New York Herald as saying
of the treatment to which he has been
subjected:
DR. DVOrk0yitZ, after a brief expert
ence with the custom house inspectors,
announced his conviction tina Russia,
his native land, has been maligned, and
that the United States is the only coun-
try that tOlerates absolute tyranny.
Pointing to the Bartholdi statue, DR..
DyOrkoyitz said:
That, 1 am tOld, is the statue of
liberty. 1t is we'll hat IT points sky
ward. for there must be the only liberty
that is to be had here. 1 have travelled
in Russia, Austria, France, Germany
and England-ynOSt of them protective
cOuntrieS-but never before have l en-
countered such tyranny and such inso-
lence as 1 have found since the arrival
of the Lucapia of the American GUS
toms inspectors.
"'Such outrageous cOnduc would not
be tolerated III any European country.
If attempted ii would be followed by Il
riot. l do hot ond hat the Euro
Dean nations are taking steps to dis
criminate gains American goods"
The fellows who draw bounties and
big favors and great fortunes from this
high republican tariff may hug it, de-
fend it and swear by it, but it is DOOM
ed. and should be incontinently damn
ed forever. 1t is a system of barefaced
= violation of right, justice. law and hon.
.esty. Let it be kicked out, and all who
favor it in official life should be kicked
out with it by an outraged and indig-
nant people. LET it be smothered in its
nUn slime