New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-04-28
WASHINGTON.
The New-Oren and Louisville Mall Confrnc'-Cabi-
net Meeting-MichneI Nourse-False Invoices-Col-
IectOr BrOnson-(:ov. Seymour-lIr. SlOo and the
Tehnantepec ROnte.


Correspondence Of The N. Y Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Tuesday. Apnl D. 1855,
One-haf the mOnstrostcs reported of the acts of
those engaged in carrying the Government exist only
in the brains of Jealous rivals of those who or
nate as to have their plans bids dc adopted in thepub-
lie service This fact is eminently demonstrated in the
result of the Postmaster Generals inquiries into the
contract made by his predecessor with Glover and Mah
err for twice daily mail service on lowpressure boats,
between New.Orleans and Louisville, at Si5O0OO per
annum wrot YOU some time since that the only al
legation causing the suspension of that contract was that
the description of boats called for therein could not be
used there though many other allegations were advanced
before that particular put forward. presume
the fact that boats have for years been used
hlo,o Ney-Orleans proved sufficient TO dlspel Mr..
Campbels doubts the subject, for he has notified the
contractors that he will expect them to commence the
stipulated service the LIST of December next, allowing
them two months extension account OF the delay OF
two months he has caused them.
Attic last Cabinet meeting three discussed
at some length viz: the principles upon which appoint
ments for the inferior of NewlOrk are TO be given ont
the tenor of the instructions 10 be given u Mr. Minister
Borland and the relative claims and merits of sundry
asprants for Government Steamboat lnspectorships y
Land Officer or two were agreed on
Mr. Michael Nourse, who was removed this morning
from the Chief ClerkShp OF the office of the Register OF
the Treasury, here with the Government IN lSJo
or about that time So he has certainly been III olce
forty.fve wears. He offered subordinate place
with salary of s 200 per annum, which he Indignantly
refused Not being advocate for life tenure OF office
under this Government. am by no means inclined TO
condemn the substitution OF another i'll his place who Is
in the prime of life and has earned the reputation OF being
one OF the best business men employed by the UOy-
eminent in Washington for years past
Messrs Bokee aud Maxwell looking after the fate
of their claim share of the penalties or increase OF
duties resulting from attempts introduce goods at an
nv0iced value which is much less than their true value
This is asserted by their friends to be one OF the mare
nests of the day.
The questions involved are somewhat intricate. though
by no means incomprehensibe Thus in 1893 Congress
passed law forfetng all imported goods the invOiced
nricps of which turned out 10 be certain fixed per
centage below hertne value Subsequently this law was
varously modified until in 1886 all statutes bearing on
the subject we're repealed In -i2 another law en-
acted adding 80 per cent 10 the duties all cases where
the invoice prices 20 per cent below their actual
value and after providing that onehalf othe per cent
additional duties assessed should 60 10 the Treasury
the other half directed 10 be divided equally
between the Collector, Naval Ocer, and Surveyor OF
the port of Importation
In February, lS46, a law was passed which provided
that the 80 per cent additional duties prescribed IN the
law of S42 should be construed fines or penalties
for the purpose Of distribution but that the whole OF 1t
shoud 20 10 the Treasury. In July, l-l6, Congress
enacted that 20 per cent additional duties only should
he assessed in such cases and formally repealed the pro-
vision of the law of 1872 before referred TO- Messrs.
Bokee Maxwell and King now contendng that this
formal repeal of the clause OF the law OF l-42 by the
without ANYTHING operate on and therefore void and
as consequence also leaving the 20 per centum OF extra
duties TO be distributed under the provisions of the old
law of 1899 which makes all such collections 70 be lines
and penalties ard provides that they shall be distributed
as mentioned above
An the Secretaries of the Treasury, down to Mr..
Meredths time construed the statutes bearing on the
question in issue TO make the distribution TO me
,fHcers Of the Custom Houses Meredith decided df-
ferentv And shortly before the death of the Fillmore
administration the question before full meeting OF
the Cabinet on an opinion from Attorney General NJ
tendep adverse % Merediths decision The result OF
this csbiue, consideration formal determination IL
favor Of the distribution.
ON II king Office however. Mr. Guthrie ordered the
suspension f the distribution and referred the ques
lions involved 10 Mr. Acknowledgement Gushing, who
still has them in abeysnce his opinion being now houri'
looked for am not lawyer enough u venture Judg
ment in such case though il 10 that IL vii
he DANGEROUS 10 depart from the wesettled practice
All Governments under which il Is made the interest
r,yelue Ulcers as well their duty, 10 ferret Oh
frauds On the Customs.
Collector Bronson is having full and free conference
with the President and Secretary OF the Treasury who's
views of the line of conduct which they desire TO nav
him pursue heartily meet his appreciation. They hay
donbess gone over with him at length all their policy
not only with reference to the commercial points IN
volved in the discharge of the duties OF the New ior
Coectorshp but of the political points also, which ar
csrcey less important He will leave here determined
in the distribution of the immense patronage in hi
hands 10 besrow il upon the best men he can ind wit
very little reference indeed TO their former clique pos
tions.
Governor Seymour, OF New-fork, too, has enoye
long and full interviews with all the members Of the A,
ministratou wrote you before his arrival that the
were anxious to strengthen the policy on which be h'