The Portland daily press., 1863-01-19
BY TELEGRAPH,
TO THE
Portland Daily Press.
FROM WASHINGTON.
The Mcdowell Court of Inquiry
Conference of the Subcommittee on Ways and
Means with the Secretary of the Treasury.
Congressional Republican Caucus.
FROM WASHINGTON.
The Mcdowell Court of Inquiry
Congressional Republican Caucus.
PAYMENsT TO THE ARMY.
Decisions of the Secretary of the Treasury.
WASuINCrnN Ian IL

WASHINGTON, Jan. &.
Lieut. Col. Tillson, of the Maine Artillery.
and Capt. Chandler, of Gen. Kings staff, were
examined today in the Mcdowell Court of
Inquiry.
Representatives Hooper, Horton and Spauld-
ing, a subcommittee of Ways and Means, had
long and full conference to-day with the
Secretary of the Treasury, relative to the best
means to relieve the financial condition of the
country. The plan submitted by Mr. Hooper
received the Secretary's endorsement.
A number of Republicans held caucus to-
night at the Capitol to deliberate on public
affairs. Those present were enjoned to secre-
cy in regard to their proceedings. 1t is known
however, that there Was not a full attendance
OF members, some altogether disappearing of
the caucus and Others absenting themselves
from it.
The current error that Paymasters to the
army have been suspended, requires correc-
ton. Nearly s9,000,000 have been paid within
the last ten days, and the payment OF yesterday
exceeds Sl,0OO,0O0. These payments were all
made under the law passed at the last session.
The joint resolution authorizing an addition
al issue of United States notes only reached
the President yesterday, and cannot be signed
and returned to the House before Monday
The Secretary of the Treasury, on appeal,
has made the following decisions. The col
lector at Boston had assessed duty at the rate
of 2 1-2 cents per square yard, and in addition
thereto 10 per cent. advalorem, under the l4th
section of the act OF March, 1861, on ten cases
of ginghams. The appellants claimed that
said goods were known not as bleached but as
printed goods, and consequently the goods, not
exceeding in fineness 40 threads to the square
inch, were dutiabe to the rate of only cents
per square yard and 10 per cent. advalorem
additional. The Secretary says the mere fact
that the cotton may have been bleached in the
process of manufacturing, does not change
their distinction or commercial application
Ginghams are printed not bleached goods in
the language of trade, consequently the half a
cent for bleached goods does not accrue. The
collectors decision assessing a duty at the rate
of 12 cents per square yard, and in addition
thereto 10 per cent advalorem, ON the goods
in question, is overruled.
The Secretary has affirmed the decision of
the same collector for levying duty of Is
cents per 100 pounds on certain salt imported
from Liverpool, on the ground that salt in bar
res is neither salt in sacks nor salt in bulk but
must be considered as falling within the pro-
visions Of the act of the Both Of August 1912,
which provides that if any non-enumerated
article, the quality of which resembles two or
more enumerated articles on which different
rates are chargeable, there shall be paid on them
the same rate of duty as is chargeabe on the
article it resembles, paying the highest duty,
etc.
The Secretary has affirmed Collector Bar
ney's decision of 40 per cent on silk and cot
ton plush, under the second section OF the act
of August, 1861, providing for all other manu-
features of silk, or of which silk is not other
wise provided for. Also that pattern cards
are subject to the payment of duty, the charge
upon the invoice being indubitable evidence
of the commercial value of the cards or sam
pies.
That carbonate Of lime, lead and billiard
chalk falls within the provision of the oath
section of the act of 1861, for all articles man
uactured in whole or in part not enumerated
or provided for are liable to a duty of 20 per
cent. advalorem. That silk and mohair mix
lures, silk being the component material of
chief value, are chargeabe with duty of 80
per cent only. That printed picture cards are
properly classed as engravings or plates, bound
or unbound, and liable to duty of 10 per cent.
That hessian and wheat bags were properly
assessed a duty of 20 per cent. The claim of
the appellants of 20 per cent. would only be
tenable on the ground of the article being
suitable for the uses to which cotton bagging
is applied, If not otherwise provided for. but
the Secretary says it is otherwise provided for,
and is not suitable for the ordinary purpose of
cotton bagging, although it might possibly be
used as substitute. The assessed duty of
% per cent is therefore proper. That single
and trim silk is liable to duty of 40 per cent
The article in question having been purified
from the gum and dyed can be used without
further manufacture for wearing and other
purposes.