A Treasury Man Finds Seattle 'a Revelation'—and Vows to Crush Puget Sound Smuggling

Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Charles S. Hamlin, who is on a tour of inspection of the custom houses of the Pacific coast, and has visited those in California and Oregon, reached this city from Tacoma at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon on the United States revenue cutter Grant. Accompanying him were J. J. Crowley, of Chicago, supervising special agent of the treasury department, Mrs. Crowley, J. W. McGrath, private secretary, and Collector of Customs Saunders. The party landed in two launches at the foot of Columbia street, and proceeded to the Rainier hotel.

Mr. Hamlin last evening explained that the object of his tour was to make a general examination of the customs districts in the West. The investigation was suggested by President Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle, who desired to ascertain the general and special needs of the Coast in the way of increased customs force and facilities for the expeditious transaction of business. He said of his tour: “With this object in view, I left the capital city on June 10, proceeding direct to Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake, San Francisco and San Diego. At that point I had the honor of riding out on the last train previous to the strike. Indeed, I was very much detained owing to the disturbances in California. Finding after my arrival at Los Angeles that I could not proceed further by train service, I telegraphed San Francisco for the revenue cutter Wolcott, which vessel is familiar to your waters, and proceeded on her to San Diego, San Pedro and Santa Monica. I then proceeded to San Francisco, where I remained a week, and made some changes in vacant recommendations, which latter the collector at that port has under consideration.”

Asked whether he had considered the opium and Chinese smuggling rings, Mr. Hamlin replied: “Naturally the matter was entered into. I talked with United States District Attorney Murphy, Judge Durand and John M. Gearin, special counsel, and sought to impress them with the belief that the government was determined to prosecute the conspirators to the fullest extent of the law. I can assure you that the officials of the treasury department on the Coast have redoubled their vigilance and the rings to which you refer and all others will be crushed out of existence. It was my intention to have been in Judge Bellinger's court at Portland during the trial of ex-Collector Lotan, but railroad troubles prevented. So far as lies in the power of the department I have the honor to represent, even and exact justice, without the suspicion of compromise, will be vigorously dealt out.”

“My stay in Tacoma was necessarily brief as I was anxious to stop over at Seattle the longest possible time I could spare. The trip over on the Grant was most enjoyable, and my first view of your city a revelation. I had not expected to see so fine a city on the Sound. I am simply delighted with Seattle. In coming to Puget Sound for the first time I was somewhat prepared, by reports I had seen of the wonderful character of the country, but I had not expected to see such great development, such an air, if you please, of business activity, and it shall be my effort to extend to Seattle and to the Puget Sound territory increased facilities for the transaction of customs business.”

“An appropriation has been made for steam launches to be used in the suppression of smuggling, but it is questionable whether the two launches will be ordered for duty in these waters. One will, most assuredly, and I will endeavor to have the other one sent here. You need two rapid launches, and you ought to have them. You need an increase in customs officials, and shall have them.”

“It is the intent of the department to make a special effort to suppress all forms of smuggling on Puget Sound, whether of opium, merchandise, or people. Preparations warrant the belief that in a short time smuggled Chinese persons and opium will be things of the past.”