The New York herald., 1866-04-19

pcintment meets with universal appreciation
outside Of the radical republicans. 1t is now
understood that this faction In Congress. which
cannot object to Mr.. Stansbury on personal
grounds,or Is wanting the highest qualifications,
propose to prevent him becoming Supreme
Judge on political grounds. Had he been
radical like Mr.. Chase no such bill as proposed
would be passed. The appointment would be
confirmed by the Senate instantly. What evil
days have We fallen upon, when the Supreme
Court Of the United States Is to be made q DO
litical machine If this great and only bull
wark Of the constitution, Of equity and of our
civil rights be invaded and controlled by fac
ton, what hope of the republic, of liberty or OF
Justice shall we have left.
LITERARY TrBrs.-Miles O'Rsillys "Baked
Meats Of the Funeral" published BY Carleton,
Of this city, and GordWski's "Diary for /.
ises's4-'65," published ~ W. II. 4 G. II.
Morrison, of Washington, are like the oysters
fresh on the sheN that used to be had at that
old Downins's Who has just gone TO his long
!. home-- --ss sefreshing aad a. dainty. You may
dip IN atany. time, seIa pleasant norssl, and,
putting the volume aside, 60 on with other !.
matters, just as one could step into Downing's
and indulge in the creature comforts without
deranging or hardly interrupting other affairs.
Both authors are sufficiently well known to the
public. The bold soldier boy, Private Miles,
here reproduoes some of his more famous
contributions to the press, among others his
humorous account Of the dinner of the National
Club, with its happy scraps of song, and his
account Of the Fenian Brotherhood-the same
account that, originally published in the
HERALD, first brought the now pugnacious and
noisy Brotherhood prominently into public
notice. Here also we find the true history Of
the "tipsy total abstinence party" that urged
the removal Of Grant; the song on "Sambo's
right to be kilt" that piece Of exquisite SEN
tment and pathos ''The Waste of War;" and
many others of the brilliant scintlllatons of
fun and fancy that have given the singing
soldier place in the popular heart, and made
him, above all others, the poet of the war.
Gurowski prefaces his volume with list Of
the names Of the persons mentioned in 1t class
flied, according as he has praised or blamed
them, or as he has given them an equal half-and-
half Of praise and blame. By reference to this
list any one may find that Gurowsk has praised
Just one hundred and one persons; and this Is
sufficient refutation of all possible declara-
tions that he is ill-natured, cross, sore-headed
and quarrelsome. Such declarations have been
made; but the world will see that q man must
be the very acme of amiability II he can find it
in his soul to praise one hundred and one men
in little duodecimo like Gurowski's Gurow-
ski has praise for Wendell Phillips and Thad
Stevens, for Dana, Ben Butler and Vienna
Schenck. Is not this the essence of amiabilityf
He shows the exact limit and measure of his
amiability. He could stand the FIVE named
above; but Thurlow Weed was too much for
him, and the illustrious lord Of the lobby =
accordingly put down in the list Of those
"blamed."
In the shrewd sentences of Gurowski there
is much good sense and some history. The
thoughtful reader, carrying away with him .
scrap here and there, will find abundant food
for reflection on the practical and philosophi-
cal peculiarities of life In the capital Here ID
part of the entry for April 9, 1S64:-"Grant
told me that Butler pleases him more than any
one among his new acquaintances." Such was
the first impression made by the man who sub
sequenuy had to be bottled up. Such was the
success with which the little Butler courted the
great Bother. Gurowsk stands up as hster
of shams and humbugs and "dlsrober Of
false gods" He would, therefore, naturally
admire Grant as Q true, simple-minded hero.
| We find him even enthusiastic in his praises Of
that soldier:-"Grant Is o soldier to the core,
and q genuine democratic commander Of Q
democratic army from q democratic people,"
| Both the volumes are admirable parts Of the
light literature Of the day and will richly re-
pay perusal, filed full, as they are, with ttbits
Of history, sentiment, fun, fancy, song, gossip,
fault-hnding and criticism.
| IMPORTANT REVENUE DECISION IN REGARD TO
NEWSPAPER SALEs.-By the following official
notice from the Bureau of Internal Revenue at
Washington, it will be seen that an important
decision has been made In regard TO the tax
on the circulation or sales Of newspapers:-
sR-Your letter OF the Goth inst has been received
| You inquire whether propretors Of newspapers arc
exempt from liability as wholesale dealers under tho
reply that publishers Of newapapers being held to
be manufacturers in respect TO such publication may sell
their newspapers or other issues Of the press at tho
place OF manufacture tsecton 81 OF the amended
a June 1884 without any license additional TO that
which they hold manufacturer and may sell In the
way at their principal Office place OF business
(section "a Of the actl provided mo goods
| merchandise be kept for sale said ofice.n
But IL they sell at places other than those above
toned they become liable TO dealers license wholesale
or retail as the may be.
There Is neither specific ad valorcm tax on news
! papers manufactures Very respectfully
| ID. c. WHITMAN, for Commissioner
Prior to this decision newspapers have been
taxed at the rate of one tenth Of one per cent
on sales or circulation. Under this ruling the
HERALD has paid tax amounting TO over one
thousand dollars per annum into the Treasury
of the United States which was not required Of
N Other havana ners ha ve maid nrono rtionata