The New York herald., 1870-09-20
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 1870.
Tho Marine Hospital Tax.

WAohiNuTON, Scpt. ~, AotVs
Tho Marine Hospital Tax.
Some few days ago called attention In my de-
spatches to curious blunder In the act OF the last
Congress reorganzlng the Marine Hospital service
and providing for the relief OF sick and disabled
seamen. The act In question provided that on and
after the 1st OF August past the tax per month on
every seaman, to be collected from the masters Or
owners OF vessels Of the United States. should be
forty instead Of twenty cents, as formerly When
the act went into operation the Collectors OF Gus
toms at the several ports exacted the tax from all
United States vessels, without regard TO the time
they might have left an Americag port
before the law took effect This was OBJ
jected to by shIpowners and masters, but
paid under protest, there was no other mode pos
sble that coud be pursued under the circumstances
The New York merchants In particular are camor-
ous about the exactiOn which they regard as highly
unfair and unjust, and they are very desirous to
have decision from the government authorities.
The question was referred some time since to Attor
ney General Akerman but he has not yet given any
opinion, and the New York people nave again ad-
dressed communications asking for speedy result.
Acting Attorney General Richardson has replied to
these latest appeals that he can do nothing the
premises; that the Attorney General Is alone COM
petent to decide it, and ne is not able to be here
through sickness the case must wait.
The Gas Tax Still in Force.
The tax on Illuminating gas, enforced by the act of
June 30, 1854, and subsequently amended, is still in
force. This Ia specific tax, according to the gen.
eral averages OF the monthly product for the year
preceding. the return to be made as required by
law. The act OF July a. 1870, provided for the
peal Of the several taxes on sales imposed, except
such as are paid by stamps and the taxes on sales
OF leaf tobacco manufactured tobacco SNUFF, cigars,
foreign and domestic distilled spirits and wines az
ter the 1st pr0ximo. by neither OF these acts was
the tax repeated on Illuminating gas. All gas com.
panies are still required to make monthly returns
and pay tax on their products as before. Notwith-
standing that the law makes exception there Is
scarcely day that the Revenue Bureau Is not In
receipt OF letters asking il the entire tax has not
been repealed
Decrease Of Outsta nding Currency.
The amount OF United States currency outstanding
on June 80, 1869, was S3s, ,64o $685. while June 80
this year, 1t was $37S, o62, being decrease Of
s1s,2l4,4 ,494.
Commissions Signed by the President.
The President has signed commissions OF the fol-
lowing officers appointed since the adjournment OF
Congress-
Andrew Washburn, OF Virginia, to be pension
agent at Richmond, Va; Robert A. Smith, 10 be
deputy postmaster at Honesdale, Penn; Andrew ].
ton Territory; Jesse II. Wikle, to be deputy post
master at Carterv1lle Ga; Leroy A. Baker, TO be
deputy postmaster at Wilmington, H.. y. r. Atwe.l,
to be deputy postmaster at Winchester, Va; L. +.
Parker, to be surveyor OF customs at Port Duluth,
Minn; II. Il. Kelley, to be collector OF internal
revenue III the Sixth district Of Wisconsin.