SHALL WE ADOPT THE METRIC SYSTEM? 759 



utes shall be obligatory in the assessment of duties on imported com- 

 modities in the custom-houses of the United States." 



Mr. Stephens introduced, January 29, 1878, a bill "to enable im- 

 porters to use the metric weights and measures." 



' " £e 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 sys- 

 tem, that is to say : 



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



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



" Section 2. That the quantity of weight, gauge, or measure stated 

 in the return of any weigher, ganger, or measurer employed in the ser- 

 vice of the custoQis revenue may be stated in metric denominations," 



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 gi'eat 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 — 



"-5e 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 con- 

 venience by adaptation to its circumstances and exigencies, 



" Sectiox 2. The metric system being capable of indefinite expan- 

 sion 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. 



A. — METRIC TABLES. 



MEASURES OF LENGTH. 



100 hairs make a nail. 

 100 nails make a metre. 

 1,000 metres make a kile. 



MEASURES OP SURFACE. 



10,000 square metres make a great acre. 



