Tariff of 1883 tariff without having to involve himself in a congressional battle over the issue. The law exempts fruit but not vegetables, causing tomato importers to file sue claiming that tomatoes are a fruit, resulting in the unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision in "Nix v. Hedden" (May 10, 1893) that tomatoes are to be considered a vegetable for purposes of this tariff. Tariff of 1883 In United States tax law history, the Tariff of 1883 (signed into law on March 3, 1883), also known as the Mongrel Tariff Act by its critics, reduced high tariff rates only marginally, and left in place
Edward L. Hedden and replaced him with George H. Sterling, without administering a civil service exam, as this was not required by law. The decision was attacked by civil service reformers, who believed the appointment was politically motivated and that Sterling was incompetent, although Hedden defended his choice. Eventually, President Cleveland demanded a competitive examination and Sterling lost the post. On August 7, 1886, Hedden resigned his post and was replaced by Daniel Magone. In 1887, Hedden was named as the defendant in the case "Nix v. Hedden", in which fruit importer John Nix sued Hedden to recover duties Nix believed were unnecessary.