The New York herald., 1870-09-14
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 1870.
Model Leaislation--The scnmen's Tax Law.
The attention OF the Treasury Department has
been called TO another bunder committed at the
late session of Congress- and one which causing
great deal OF indignation among the merchants Of
the seabord cities. 1t appears that In the act re-
organizing the Marine Hospital service and provid-
Ing for the relief OF sick and disabled seamen,
Collectors OF Customs were required after the LIST OF
August last, to collect from the masters owners
OF vessels or the United States whether engaged In
f0reign or coastng trade, the OF forty cents per
month Tor every seaman employed on the vessel
since she was last entered at any port OF the United
States. The tax, prior to the lst or August, was
twenty cents per month. and masters OF vessels
arriving from foreign ports find that no allowance
can be made in the rate Of assessment for the time
previous to the day when the law went into
effect, but are compelled TO pay the new
rate for the whole period, no matter how many
months have expired since they last entered an
American port. The result Is that the tax Is being
pad In every city under protest. and that this
question has come before the department, the Acting
Secretary Of the Treasury who is likewise Acting
Attorney General declines to decide the validity OF
the act but has referred the question direct to Attor
ney General Akerman, and awaits his return TO off,
cal duties for decision The points are, the law
retroactive in Its operations ana who are taxable
under It's provisionsq
The Prussian Advance ON Paris.
The State Department has been ofhclally advised
by our Consul at Paris that the Prussians are within
twenty or twenty-five miles Of that city.
Personal.
Rev. J. Sella Martin, colored parsonage or some
notorietv whose persecution by Southern rail-
road company as already been the subject OF com.
ment, besides serving the government In the capa-
city Of special agent of the Post Oice Department
In the South, has been appointed inspector at the
Mobile Custom House. Precisely what remunera-
ton the reverend Inspector and special agent re-
ceves for his services may be the subject OF copec-
ture.
Mr.. e. b. Elliott for some time an assistant OF D.
A. Wells, late Special COmmissio OF Revenue,
to-day appointed Chief Clerk Of the Bureau Of Sta
tstics, and has entered upon the discharge Of his
duties. There were number of aspirants for the
position in the Office but the selection OF Mr. Elliott
meets with the commentator OF all acquainted
with the responsibilities Of the ollce.
The Presidents private secretary r. NJ Douglass
leaves tomorrow for Raleigh, N. e.. on matters re-.
atve to the recent political troubles IN that State
| letter received to-day from Attorney General
| Akerman states that he Will be in Washington on
| Saturday next.
Important Revenue Seizure.
The revenue seizure reported yesterday amounted
to $25,659, the principal items In which were the
seizures of the grape sugar vinegar mandatory of
Thomas Sim Co., in the Second Maryland district;
the tobacco factory of Alexander Thompson & Co.,
in the Third Massachusetts, district the cigar factory
OF Jonah Jacobs, in the district and two cigar
making establishments IN Tennessee
Increase in Philadelphia Tonnage.
Ofcal returns received at the Bureau OF Statistics
show an increase In the tonnage OF Philadelphia
from 3Oh June 1862 TO June last of S27 vessels and
| 70, ,292 tons.
Redemption Of Mutilnted Notes.
Deductions on murilated notes redeemed to this
date amount to one hundred and eightyeght thou
sand seven hundred and ffty-four dollars. The
Treasury deducts for such parts Of notes as may
be missing when they are presented for redemption.