The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-31


parties were arrested and held for hearing
The C0lorod West Point Cadet Again In
Trouble.
James w. Smith, the cOi0red cadet at West Point
10 again In trouble He has been the cause OF no
little annoyance the other students since he
entered the Academy. All the white cadets have
quietly ignored him, and constant appreciation Of
tins fact may have contributed 70 render him any
thing but amiable. His requirements before enter
ing the Military Academy showed that he had ability
above that Of the ordinary negro but the pursuit Of
his studies at West Point has thus far failed TO ind
cate any briliancy In him. The curriculum Of the
Academy s well calculated 70 test the intellectual
powers OF any one. Tried according to this
standard, he IL pronounced by unimpeachable
authority 10 be rather below the medium ability.
while II is represented that the higher branches OF
mathematics would unquestionably bother him. It's
somewhat doubtful, however, whether he will have
the opportunity OF finishing his course at the
Academy. Twice he mas been brought before mill
tary tribunals, and another similar ordeal Is await
ing MIN. The first was court OF inquiry, which re-
commended that he be tried on charge Of making
false Statements but In Difference to his anomalous
position, and In order to give him every 0ppor-
tunity, the War Department condoned this hts
first ofeDce, In the hope that the lesson would
be useful to him. The second was a court
martial, before which he was arraigned for
being engaged I'm an ARRAY and for making
false statements Both courts were organized with
o special view to entire impartiaty, and we're CON-
posed OF Officers none or whom were stationed at
West Point and most OF whom were not graduates
OF the Academy On his trial before the general
court martial OF which Ma or General Howard, Chief
of the Freedmcn's Bureau, was president, the as
sistant professor OF law and ethics at the Military
Academy by request acted as his counsel, and with
such good faith and ability tnakhe was acquitted on
the first charge, and the War Department RENTED
the sentence on the second. These facts demonstrate
that even-handed justice has been accorded him
by the authorities at the institution, as
wei as by the War Department. But
II would seem that his want OF vera
city may yet prove the rnn OF him. He was re-
Gently reported In the usua! manner for delinquency
ON drill. He made written explanation or the
alleged offence, and this explanation Is represented
10 contain undoubted evidence OF what appears 10
be a chronic weakness OF this coored youth-falsIn
cation OF facts. Upon this charge ne is TO be again
arraigned before new court martial, which Will
soon be appointed for the purpose OF trying him.
Before the third and impending tribunal the case
will rest altogether on its merits. Without doing
any wrong to the coored Cadet 1t is but just to the
young gentlemen at the Academy to state
that. Notwithstanding the natural prejudice
that Academy, the other students did not unneces-
sarily annoy him, as some suppose they did, but
simply quietly ignored him and refused to affiliate
With MIN. Smith was appointed from South Caro-
INA on the recommendation Of MIR. Hoge, member Of
Congress from Columbia, and It Is curious incident
that in the recent election H0ge was defcated for
Congress by negro.
" Doe,inicams Anxious for Annexation.l
A commercial house In New York writes TO q
prominent Senator:-
We are advised by our agents, as well az by our
Dominican correspondents, That everything Is peace
full and quiet, and that the entire community with
whom they are brought IN contact are unanimously
trade between that island ana New York is cont,n.
ualy- although as yet in small way-increasing,
and By the last trip OF the steamer Tybee there were
received Ter the frst time eighteen hundred ccrcODs
Of tobacco from SANTANA
National Bank Reports Called for.
The United States Treasurer has issued regulations
respecting the semi-annual return ana payment OF
duties by national banking associations, notifying
all, under bonds to make proper returns In accord
ance with the provisions OF the laws cited in the
circular
John p Hale, formerly Minister TO Spain, pro-
poses to visit Washington next month for the benefit
OF his heath. He Is reported to be In feeble con-
diton and Will come here for medical advice.
A Patent Refused an Ex-Csnfederate.
The Acting Commissioner Of Patents to-day rem
dered IN adverse decision In the case OF the appca
ton Of John B. Read for extension OF his patent
Tor proectiles. He had worked diligently his In
venti0n till 1851, when on the breaking out or the
war, he joined the Confederate service, ard under
that government took out letters patent The pro-
ectes were used largely BY the Confederate armies
He mas relied his letters patent In this CITY, with
application for on extension, while on-their face is
the seal VI the Confederate States atestng the fact
above mentioned. Negative replies to all applica-
TONS without being in the shape OF an Official de-
cision, were given at various times; but now, as
Read inquiries to the truth Of report circulated
that ne has been refused an extension on account OF
his services in the confederacy, the Acting Commits
sioner replies, "lhat is Just the reason exactly"
Introduction of Cattle Disease from Canada
Information having boen received at the Treasury
Department that the cattle disease, known as the
hoof and mouth disease, which has prevailed TO an
alarming extent In England, has made Its appear
ance in New York, Massachusetts anu Connecticut
and that this disease was introduced 10y cattle com
ing from Canada. The Secretary OF the Treasury to
day issued instructions to collectors OF customs
the frontier not to allow further entry Of cattle
hides OF neat cattle unless they were accompanied
by consular certificate that the imporrations are
free from the disease aforementioned ana that Ihs
disease has not and does not prevail in the locality
from whence they were transported