The New York herald., 1870-08-30
WASHING CTON.
Enforcing the Fifteenth Amendment I'm
der ifilculties-Decrease of the Pub
lie Debt-Lively Quarrel in the
Navy Bureau-AnOther Squab-
BILE Over Petty Offices.
WASHINGTON, August 20. 1870.
Enforcing the Fifteenth Amendmcnt-Bogu
luifu sA

WASHINGTON, August 20. 1870.
Enforcing the Fifteenth Amendmcnt-Bogus
suits Dismissed.
Information received here from trustworthy
sources lead to the conclusion that the Enforcement
act is working both ways. The radical politicians
IN the South are finding out that they suffer by
some OF the provisions OF the act, just as well as
their democratic brethren 1t is said that the latter
have conspired In some OF the Southern States to
persecute the radical registers by brbing people
apply for registration who not entitled to 1t.
Men are hired for instance, to 60 from one county
OF western Virginia to another and there
to apply to be registered rs lawful voters
The registers, knowing such applicants to be
bogus, refuse to put their names on the legal lists
whereppon the rejected applicants make suit to re-
cover $500 In each case for violation OF the En-
fOrcement act The new law Ia very stringent in tts
terms providing that every State and Territorial
officer shall interpose obstruction to registration
or the performance OF any other prerequisite for
voting under penalty OF $500, to be recovered by
action the case with full costs and such
allowance for counsel fees the court shall deem
just; and that every such offence shall be deemed
msdemeanOr, punishable by fine and imprisOn-
ment. In Western Virginia many OF the sympa-
thizers with ''the lost cause" have got up scores
OF this kind OF prosecution which, so manifesty
unjust, embarrasses the judges and District Attor
ney very considerably The District Attorney OF that
State telegraphs Tor instructions to the Attorney
General, who, after duly considering the question,
has answered, over his own signature that 1t is not
necessary to pay attention TO such bogus prosecu-
tions. In a despatch sent by Attorney General
Akerman to-day to the District Attorney OF West
Virginia, he says
Dismiss all prosecutions under third section OF the
act to enforce the right OF citizens Of the Unit
States to vote IN the several States OF this Union,
where the offence Is not the distinction forbidden IN
the second.
The meaning OF this answer Is, briefly that only
In where cOlored citizens are rejected by re-
gsters need prosecution be pressed to conviction.
Mr.. Akerman considers that the main design OF the
act to protect colored citizens in their rights
against the rebel disorganizers and hence his an
swer.
Andy johnson Sympatiizers in Luck.
1t Is said that the style OF competitive eXami-
nation in the Census Bureau Is working as to give
at least one-fth of the appointments to erkswho
were kicked out OF Office, when General Grant came
into power for their sympathy with the Johnson
party. The attention Of the President Is to be
called to this matter when he returns.
Lively Quarrel in the Navy Bureau.
The correspondence between Mr.. Allyn, late Chief
CLERK OF the Bureau of Steam Engineering. Navy
Department. and Mr. King, Chief Of that bureau In
relation to the charges Of the former that Mr.. King
failed to protect the government in settling the Cor
less engineering contracts of Providence. r. H. and
paid to Corless $4,000, to which he was not en-
titled, Is becoming quite lively Mr.. Allyn Is out in
another pamphlet, and Mr. King follows suit with an
answer In which he presents copies of numerous
recommenda,ory letters from his superior officers.
Taxing Gas Companies.
In reply to letter of inquiry Acting Commissioner
Douglas that the law OF July H. 1870 does not
repeal or in any manner change the law Imposing
tax on illuminating gas. Gas compan subject
to the liability and entitled to the privi-
! lege OF charging the tax to consumers prior to
| the passage Of the act.
| Decrease Of the Public Debt.
| In consequence OF the large amount OF warrants
| drawn on the Treasury during the current month
! on account OF quarterly pensions ir IS likely the
| forthcoming debt statement will not show large
| decrease the previous months by at least
| $5,OO0OOO. Estimating from this fact the proba-
| bty Is the decrease will be from ten to twelve
! millions
Custom House Appointments.
| packer In the Philadelphia Custom House, and
Thomas A. Stephens srorekeeper In the Cincinnati
| Custom House.
Lock Contract to be Awarded.
Acting Secretary Richardson will tomorrow make
the award OF the contract for supplying the govern
ment with locks for bonded warehouses, cars, &c.
| The advertisement calls for 500 locks.