The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-12
WASHINGTON,


Interest," IN the Approaching EiecttOuss
As the day Of the elections in Pennsylvania, Ohio
and Indiana draws near the excitement In regard
to the probable result increases In intensity among
the politicians here. Political discussions are now
the order or the day. and two men rarely meet but
views OF the election are exchanged. No settled i'm
preston can be obtained OF the probable issue by
canvassing with men who claim to be expert in FORE
telling the DRIFT OF popular opinion for the wtseacres
both sides are 80 confident that victory will perch
upon their banners and express themselves 30 elo-
quently In support OF their views that the more
inquiries into the subject the less courage one has to
form an opinion.
Tho Alleged Cretan Diplomatic Agent.
The members OF the diplomatic corps here have
been greatly amused by an announcement in several
newspapers few days since that the Cretan govern
ment had appointed Mr.. julius Augustus Bing, or
Berg, as its diplomatic agent in the United states
Mr.. Berg, who enjoys the reputation OF having been
elevated to such distinguished honor has for years
past been sort OF hanger on to the different
legations here. He is man OF rather more than
ordinary attainments, but very eccentric in man.
ners and Dress He is regarded as an inveterate
gossip, and as such, more than for any
other reason, he is received among the
foreign legations on footing something like famili-
arity. The idea OF Mr.. Berg being selected to repre-
bcit buc StIuBklluk CTttau government docs uOt
seem 80 very absurd to those who know him. as they
see peculiar fitness in the appointment; but 1t is
the assumption OF the dignity and importance OF q
Minister from recognized government that causes
80 much merriment. The truth OF the whole matter
is, that what is known as the insurrectonary COM
mittee OF Crete, claiming to be the provisional gov
eminent thereof which is located in Athens Greece
have authorized Mr.. Julius A. Berg TO act agent
for them In the United States, and his principal bust
ness 1t Is alleged, is to warp public opinion here
In such manner that the people of this
country will recognize in said committee OF
insurgents the lawful government OF Crete. Mr.
Seward having been asked in relation to the report
answered that he knew nothing about either the
government Of Crete or its diplomatic agent.
joker here said the other day that Berg's title was
"Agent Diplomatique du Commencement Provisoire
des Cretans."
Revenue Instructi0ns-Tax on Distilled Spirits.
The Internal Revenue Bureau has just issued regu
latons and instructions concerning the tax dis
titled spirits, supplemental to those OF August last
No distiller's bond be approved until his disl-
lery warehouse has been provided and established
under the act Of July 8, and dstillery permitted
to start until storekeeper has been assigned to such
warehouse by the Commissioner No deduction Will
be made upon the capacity tax on suspension Of
to the assistant assessor. Any MASKING or
disttling done at night or any other
time when the storekeeper is not present is pro-
hibited From and after the 1st Of November stamps
for distilled spirits will be required and be used in
all cases as provided by law. The stamps are en-
graved and bound In book form. The books of tax
paid stamps contain 300 stamps each and the others
400 each. The value Of the books other than those
Of tax paid stamps, Is 500 each, and the value Of
the tax paid stamps ranges from s4,350 to s2o.S5O
according to the number Of gallons represented
The instructions specific both to the duties Of
the disttllers and government officers The Commits
sioner says
The abolition of the ONCE Of revenue agents and
biity upon the local officers OF the several Districts
and 1t depends mainly upon their action whether or
not the provisions Of the new law can be enforced
and Illicit distillation suppressed, and they will be
held to strict accountability for the enforcement OF
the law In their several districts.
Tho Late Earthaualke In Chile-Lctter from
the United States Consul In Valparaiso.
The following Is published by direction Of the De-
partment OF State:-
UNITED STATES CONSOLIDATED
VALPARAISO, Sept. 3, 1868.
Hon. WILLIAM II. SEWARD, Secretary OF state
STIR have the honor to enclose to you clips cut
from the newspapers OF this city giving detailed
account Of the disaster caused by the terrible earth
quake the coast the 18th Of August, extending
from the CuluCA I5l3nub, III the NOTLn, To IOLa,
in the South-a distance of more than 1900
miles-and extending far into the interior In Peru,
almost entirely destroying the city o. Arequpa, OF
200 inhabitants. Singularly and fortunately no
damage was done OF this port, the only thing OBJ
servable being heavy swell OF some ten feet rolling
into the bay Just at sunset.
Several places on the coast south of Valparaiso
have been entirely swept away-not stone left
upon another TO mark the spot where they Stood
known here by telegraph public meeting was con-
vened and the sum OF $4,000 subscribed to pur-
chase and forward provisions to the destitute.
Congress, being In session. appropriated $4,000 for
the same object. Being at Santiago at the time
rendered the government the use OF the United
States steamer Tuscarora, then In the harbor, to
transport these contributions to the distressed,
which was gladly accepted; but subsequently It
found that other vessels at hand better adapted
to the survice, and the Tuscarora was not used.
This terrible and widespread disaster has cast
time is entirely suspended save In the effort to re-
leve the unfortunate. The business houses Of this
city, having generally branches or agencies at the
several ports destroyed, suffer largely. large
number Of vessels In the merchant service have been
lost Nearly all the towns on the coast north are
tiiation and as all OF the apparatus for distaton
has been swept away at all the ports great suffering
must have been experienced before aid could reach
them.
have the honor to be- your obedient servant,
A. W. CLARKE, Omitted states Consul.
Personal.
Attorney General Evarts will leave here Tomorrow
or Tuesday for New York, to be absent about two
weeks.
Solicitor Buckley arrived In the city this morning
interviewed with the President, dropped in on MIR.
Evarts and left for New York again this evening.
General Rosccrans Is here again, occupying rooms
at Wizards and having talks with Secretary Seward.
II IL believed he is here to receive his last nstruc-
ions before leaving for the scene OF his diplomatic
labors He thinks Mexico will keep for little while
longer without his presence. Mr.. Seward Is not
about to lead to the altar that highly accomplished
and beautiful young lady. He denies emphatically
the soft impeachment and is accused OF telling an
inquisive friend the other day that there was mot
a id word OF truth In It,"
The Passport System Of Cuba.
CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATEs,(
HAVANA, Sept. IL, 1868. I
Notice is hereby given to all citizens OF the United
States who may visit the island OF Cuba that In COM
pliance with recent decree Of the Captain General
and superior Civil Governor thereof passports duly
and properly endorsed by the Consus OF Spain viii