Show TEA ACT OF MARCH 2 1897 IS TO BE TESTED new york march 25 suit has been brought in the united states circuit court against the collector of this port for the purpose of contesting the constitutionality of alie tea act of march 2 1897 and also the validity of the ruling of the secretary of the treasury whether teas can bo prohibited froan import apart from any consideration of either their purity or or fitness for consumption in conjunction with this suit a number of importers have commenced action in the state courts to recover all losses arising from rejection of teas since 1897 it is claimed that the act as con by the department is p violation of the constitution for abo reason that it delegates to the secretary of the treasury and a board of seven tea exi parta selected by him the power to de bennine what the drinking qualities of tea imported shall be entirety irre spew of cither their genuineness or whole eo it is also claimed that atia act destroys without due process ot law property and also the natural rights and liberties ivsich every citizen of tha states has to engage in any trade which does not encroach on the health morals or safety of the publio generally |