From the government of the United States it would seem that the world had a right to expect that ideal justice which each soul shall receive when it stands in the presence of Eternal Justice.
The United States Treasury has charge of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, where all the paper money, postage, revenue stamps, and bonds are made.
Bills, when sent from the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, require the signatures of officials of the bank from which they are to be issued before becoming legal tender.
Secretary Shaw has at the Bureau of Printing and Engraving his personal representative, who locks up the plates, sees to the minutiæ of things, so that even the smallest scrap of paper bearing government printing must be shown, or the house is closed and search made till it is found.
The custom officers who insult and browbeat you at the port are of this department. Once on arriving at New York, after being very ill all the way from Antwerp, I had declared I had nothing dutiable, yet in spite of that every article in my trunk was laid out on the dirty floor of the custom-house. When I saw the bottom of the trunk, I said: "Well, you have only proved what I told you. I believe you think because I am trembling from weakness that I am frightened?" "Yes, that is about the size of it; there is your trunk, you may put the things back." "No," I said, "my baggage is checked through, and I am not able to pack it." I saw with some satisfaction the custom-house officer do the packing. It had required my best efforts to get the stuff into the trunk, but he did it.
This country has very silly custom-house rules on personal clothing and small articles of art and vertu, and the average artistic standard of dress and home ornamentation of the country is lowered by these ridiculous embargoes.
In 1895 I was abroad with a company of Presbyterians; among them was Professor G., of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of California. He happened to fall in with a little coterie of friends of whom I was one. The most of us bought photos and souvenirs in almost every city. The professor bought nothing. One day he said: "I would so like to have brought my wife with me, but I was not able to do so. I shall be very saving, so I can take her back a nice present." When we were in Italy some fool woman suggested a cameo pin as a suitable and beautiful present for his wife. Cameo pins have been out of fashion for twenty years. He purchased one of great beauty for $30. As we came into port, a friend said: "Professor, you had better let some woman wear that pin for you or you will have trouble." "Thank you, no; I expect to pay the required duty to my country." "Oh, you do not know your country yet; you'll get a dose!" He paid $27 duty, and had not money enough left to get home. I felt that this duty was an outrage. Things of beauty which are not for sale should surely be admitted free.