Powers v. Barney

NELSON, Circuit Justice.

The importation in this case was made under the act of March 2, 1861 ( 12 Stat. 178 ). The goods were charged by the collector with a duty of ten per cent, ad valorem. The plaintiffs insist that they were exempt from any duty. The 19th section of the act imposes a duty of ten per cent, ad valorem upon the articles enumerated in it, and, among others, “Peruvian bark.” If this section stood alone, the right to impose the duty in question would he plain. But the 23d section of the same act, which exempts articles enumerated in it, embraces in the list the same article — so that each party finds an authority for his claim in the same act of congress. In this difficulty of conflicting claims, I know of no other way of solving it, than by applying the well settled rule of construction, in the case of two repugnant provisions of the same act, which is, that the last provision shall prevail, as speaking the latest and final intent of the law makers.

Another principle may also be invoked, which is, that in cases of serious ambiguity in the language of the act, or doubtful classification of articles, the construction is to be in favor of the importer, as duties are never imposed on the citizen upon vague or doubtful interpretations. There must be a judgment for the plaintiffs.