The New York herald., 1865-05-28

iOT'tne uanRcf3 Oh nHoHtef NpuSnerH roUotssCd
are gone with the abolition OF slavery.
The Enissh:e ned Decision OF Justice Mel
gon and It's Effect.
The remarkably able, extraordinarily en-
lshtened, wonderfully intelligent, and highly
io'eresting decision a Judge Nelson, as
veil as the conclusion Of the jug, in
the trial Of the pious and venerable Hender
son, late Navy Agent, is attracting unusual at
tention and comment It has caused great
oommotion among the politicians, and is being
discussed with unusual interest by all who are
looking forward to The time whom they shall
become navy agents Settling, as 1t does, an
important point, and putting at rest all dispute
upon the right Of certain commissions, It's
value Is beyond estimate to tho politicians. In
legal point Of view It sets in the shade the
opinions Of Mansfield and Story.
In the orthodox style In vogue in the days
of Honest Old Abe, this peculiar decision
reminds us Of several stories:-The Prince of
Wales, on . certain occasion, addressed . cir
cular to all bis grooerymen, informing them
that he would not purchase his groceries Of
them II they continued TO allow his servants
commission upon the articles which they sold
to him. In other words, unless they stopped
paying his servants commission ON the articles
which he ordered he would make his pur-
chases elsewhere. This system of allowing
commissions on articles Of food is an estab-
lisbed custom in Paris. The universal rule
there 10 for the cook TO apply 10 the dealer and
inform him that be has 10 provide 80 and 80
for his master, and then asks the dealer
Whist commission he will allow for the privilege
Of filing the order. The deaier, pcrhape,
replies two per cent The cook, with an eyo 10
the proHts, asserts "that will not do; be can get
three per cent In such place." II always
results In the cook securing his desired COM
mission, and there is no way of preventing IL.
Now this custom, which the Prince of Wales
undertook to break up with his grocerymen, and
which is the universal custom in Paris among
caterers for private families, has been intro
duced In this country on government contracts
by Thrrlow Weed. II was considered at FIRST
an innovation Of q questionable character, but
oan no longer be viewcd in that light since the
verdict Of tho Henderson jury and tho learned
decision OF Jus tioe Nelson.
As already stated, Weed, at the commence
meut Of tho war, introduced the plan Of charg-
ing commissions, al the rate Of two per cent on
all whom he favored with government con-
tract Tho public declared this to be out
rageous Subsequently, when thesteamer Cata-
line mystery, with ib commission, came to light,
followed as II was by Cumming, Of the pious
World, commission on linen pants and straw hats
for the soldiers, sboddy thrown in, there was q
universal howl at the presumption. The pub
lic had even the boldness 10 charge these men
With defrauding the government All this noise
had no effect upon those educated 10 that science.
Perhaps they knew beforehand what would be
Judge Nelson's decision. IN the due course Of
time George Morgan secured the agency Of the
government 10 purchase and charter vessels.
Knowing full we'll his rights, "a IA the Paris
oooks,r be increased the commission 10 two
and one-hslf per cent Il b true the public
rebeued; but that made no difference 70 the
aforesaid Morgan, his commission he would
have, or the vessels would mot be chartered nor
purchased. The next step In this line was the
development brought 'ous BY some investI-
eating committee, revealing the fact that
Tho custom had already boen established Of
charging Eve per cent on appointments 70
political oficee, AZ well as for nominations BY
oonventioDs The innocent pooplo not being