The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-25

The NEW DISTRICT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF
HIS OFFICE We find, IN merning paper OF yes
terday, a curious statement descriptive Of new
mode of levying legal black mail, as it may, with
great propriety be called, which prevails in the Of
fee Of the new United States District Attorney,
which is one Of the most curious things, Of the
kind, that we have seen for a number Of years
past 1t appears that, by an old act Of Congress
passed on the 3lst of December, 1892 the names Of
all registered and licensed vessels were required
to painted in white letters on black ground-the
letters to be Of certain dimensions. The penalty,
in case of non compliance being, in the one case,
fifty, and In the other, twenty dollars. In course Of
time, however, steam, as means Of propelling
vessels, was discovered and applied, and new
class of vessels, called steamboats,, were built, on
which, ever since, the names have been painted
on the sides large letters, sometimes Of gold, and
sometimes Of paint. II is clear that this old act Of
Congress never contemplated steamboats,, for such
craft were not in existence at the time when 1t
was passed. and ss far as that description Of ves-
sells is concerned, it has always remained dead
letter The new District Attorney, however, seeks
TO revive this old law, and tor that purpose has
fined the owners Of several steamboats, for not
having complied with this provision Of an anti
quated act Of Congress-; and this, too, he is doing
under the mantle Of the old hero OF Buena Vista.
This course Of official conduct should not be toc-
rated by the Senate of the United States, and we
hope it will not.
IL is well known that Mr.. Hall made only one
speech, in favor of General Taylor, during the
whole of the last Presidential campaign. Every
one which he subsequently gave being fac
,imile Of the first lie is now SO elated with his
appointment as District Attorney, that he is not
satisfied with his regular legal salary, but
tending the influence Of his position to his advi-
sers and satellites, by giving them permits from
bis office to levy black mail under an old law pass
ed IN the year 1872, and compelling the owners Of
steamboats,, which that ordinance never applied
to, to comply with its provisions, and pay penalties
varying from twenty to fifty dollars IN each case.
Indeed, Mr.. Hall has made great deal of fuss in
his new Office Ills ambition was excited by his
appointment, and the first thing he attempted. was
to dictate to the President who should be appoint
ed to an important foreign mission lie according
ly went to Washington to urge on the President
the appointment Of an incompetent and improper
person for that high diplomatic station
Very properly, the President intImated TO the
new District Attorney that the appointment
to the mtsion referred to belonged to him, and not
to district attorneys; and that he, Mr. Hall, had
better return to New York and attend TO his own
duties, and not interfere with what did not con-
Germ him. This is the way in which he attends to
his duties, by sanc,oning, in connection with his
office, exsctons on the steamboat interests, and
countenancing such ridiculous attempts to levy
black mail on that branch Of the business of the
city.
We hope that the whole subject will be brough,
before the next Senate, and that they will fully in
ves,igste It, We are perfectly satisfied that that
body will not fail to inquire INTO the matter. and
that when Mr. Prescott Halls nomination comes
before them, they will not confirm It, but that they
will turn him out Of the Office which he now holds.
The New Orleans b., of the 18th inst, denies that
the Spanish Consul has struck bis flag but ,ntinues,