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 Edward L. Hedden Edward Long Hedden (December 24, 1828 – February 6, 1893) was Collector of the Port of New York from 1885 to 1886. Hedden was born in 1828, in New York City, New York, to Josiah Hedden (who had studied law under Alexander Hamilton) and Elizabeth June Hedden. In 1855, he married Elizabeth Caroline Apgar. From 1859 to 1884, Hedden worked for the shipping firm of Wetmore, Cryer, and Co. He was also a director of the North River Bank and of the Niagara Insurance Company. Hedden was appointed Collector of the Port by Grover Cleveland on June