The New tariff.
--Nominally, the new tariff went into operation on Monday; but as, by the tariff act, all goods in port could be entered under either the new or the old rates, at the option of the importer, only those goods upon which the duties are reduced by the Morrill tariff came in under it. Besides the goods in port, all shipped from foreign countries on or previous to the 17th of March may enter under either tariff. This will make the work of the Custom officials very complicated, as in many cases two entirely different routines will be followed. A new bureau for the determination of values may be necessary. Under the old law, nearly all the duties were ad valorem, and the importer had only to pay his duties and receive his goods. By the new act a sum will be required as a deposit sufficient to cover the probable levy of duties. The merchandize is to be weighed, gauged, or measured, or threads are to be counted, and thus the quantity and quality determined, after which the duties are arranged and deducted from the sum deposited, and the balance, if any, returned to the importer. Instruments of various kinds will be required for ascertaining the quantities and values of merchandize, such as scales and weights, measures, provers for counting threads, magnifying glasses, gauges, and hydrometers.
