Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 14.djvu/779

Rh shall be obligatory in the assessment of duties on imported commodities in the custom-houses of the United States."

Mr. Stephens introduced, January 29, 1878, a bill "to enable importers to use the metric weights and measures."

"Be it enacted, etc., That the ad quantum duties upon all articles imported from foreign countries which are invoiced according to the weights and measures of the metric system shall be levied, collected, and paid at rates appropriate to the weights and measures of said system, that is to say:

"The rate per gramme shall be," etc. .. .

"The rate per kilogramme shall be," etc. .. .

" That the quantity of weight, gauge, or measure stated in the return of any weigher, ganger, or measurer employed in the service of the customs revenue may be stated in metric denominations," etc., etc.

Mr. Stephens introduced, March 29, 1878, a bill "to promote the general use of the metric system."

"Whereas, The metric system of weights and measures has made little progress in actual use, notwithstanding its great merits and its authorization by law, by virtue of the act of Congress of July 27, 1876; and—

"Whereas, It is believed to be capable of simplification, so as to remove many impediments to its general use, yet retain its valuable features, and so to promote the great and desirable reform contemplated by the foregoing act: therefore—

"Be it enacted, etc., That the use of the modified metric system, set forth in the following tables marked A, be, and is hereby, authorized; the values of the metric units, so far as they are retained, remaining unchanged, and the continued use of any system now permitted by law not being prohibited, the true intent and meaning of this act being not to enforce any particular system, but to provide for the public convenience by adaptation to its circumstances and exigencies.

" The metric system being capable of indefinite expansion to suit the ever-enlarging uses of mankind in business and science, the accompanying scale of units, names, and values is provided, marked B, on the scale of ten and its powers, and the use of all and any of them is hereby permitted and authorized.