The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-20
Greek Church Missionaries for the
Alaska Fishermen.
Decisions by the Mexican
Claims Commission.
Ku KluX Investigation Outrage Upon
a Government Officer.
Transportation of Bonded G0OdS-Tr0uble for
the Railroad Companies.

The Dividend Taxa Now Feature in tho
Case.
The Solicitor OF the Treasury is expected TO de-
liver to Secretary Boutwell,, tomorrow, an opinion
upon very important question now pending before
the Treasury Department. 1t VIII be remembered
that the order of Commissioner Pleasonton instruct.
ing assessors ana collectors OF Internal revenue not
to assess or collect tax on dividends for the last
i've months of 1870, revoked on the 10th
or May last. Under the ruling OF the AT
torney General, collectors ana assessors were
directed to govern themselves accordingly In ASSESS
ing and collecting the tax embraced within the
scope OF the decision When this order was an
nounced protests against its enforcement were sent
TO the Secretary OF the Treasury from all the leading
railroad corporations and banking institutions
throughout the country. 1t was represented that
dividends and interest coupons had already
been paid without deducting the government tax,
and that 1t was done in obedience to the order
OF Commissioner Pleas0nton. Now they have no
way OF securing themselves in case the government
eXacs the tax, while the act for which they must
be held liable Is that or government Official whose
authority they had no right to question The case
presented TO the Solicitor is a novel one, and upon
his decision rests the suspension the collection OF
the tax. While the Attorney General has construed
the act OF July ID, $780, to make the railroads
and insurance companies liable to the tax for the
which may eventually have to be settled IN the
courts whether the government Is not bound by the
Of its officials and the collection OF the tax de-
clared illegal.
N,issi nbaries fer the Alaska Fishermen.
The Russian Minister has, through the Secretary of
State by letter daied the Oth OF June 1871 mentioned
that the orthodox Bishop John Of San Francisco
deems it necessary IN order to supply the religious
wants of the Inhabitants OF the islands of ST. Paul and
st. George, that curates OF the same religious faith
should be sent 10 reside at those islands. The SUBJ
ject having been referred to Secretary Boutwell, he
to-day directed Collector Kapus at SitKa, to allow
two curates, who may be furnished with the pioper
testimonials from the bishop, to proceed to the
islands for the purpose OF taking up their residence
They will De, In ali civil matters, subject to the laws
OF the United States and the regulations or the
Treasury Department.
United states and Mexican Claims Conln,is-
sion.
The following cases have been decided in the
United States and Mexican Claims Commission
No. DOL +. n. S;rickle vs. Mexico-Thls was
claim for payment of an amount alleged
to be due under contracts between claimant
and certain officers OF the so-caed Macmillan gov.
crnment in Mexico for supplies provided to aid in
the suppression OF Indian disturbances in the Fenn-
suIa of Yucatan. The Commissioners disagreeng ia
opinion the case was referred TO the umpire, who
decided that there Is no principle Of public policy
natural Justice involved arising out of the pariicn-
takes the case out OF The general rule heretofore
LAID down, tnat the Mexican republic cannot he neld
responsible Tor the ODligatons OF the MaXimlllan
government Claim dismissed.
No. 17s. Mather Glover and William WInn vs..
MeXIcO.--The case having been referred to fne
umpire for decision. he makes an award for the
claimants. certain sum OF money. the property
OF the claimants, had been seized by Mexican Offi-
clals and applied to public uses. The amount was
afterwards refunded by order of a court OF compe-
tent jurisdiction, and tue present award Is for ill.,
terest accruing during the time of iis detention.
No. 432. J. S Menassee Co. VS.. MeXicO.--Tnis Is
the claimants by military agent OF Mexico In San
Francisco IN payment Tor supplies furnished; also
for interest compounded after an extravagant rate
The Commissioners disagreeing on the question OF
jurisdiction the referred 10 the umpire,
who decides IL iavor OF the jurisdiction, and awards
the claimant the balance claimed, with six Der cent
interest, rejecting the claim for the compound in
terest.
No. 100. Mark Schaber VS.. MexicO.-This is a
claim for the value OF certain horses purchased by
the claimant of the French forces retreatine from
Orzaba, Mexico and afterwards seized by the Next
can liberal forces The purchase was made under "a
permit to the claimant issued by colonel OF the
agreeing In opinion. the case was referred to the
umpire, who awards In favor Of the claimant, hold
ing that while the colonel III qucstian HAD no au-
tnOrity to bind his government by issuing such
permit us is exhibited, the obtaining it showed q
desire on the part OF the claimant to act openly and
above board, and that the Mexican government
reaped The benefit OF the property, which 1t would
not probably have captured mad IL not been III claim
ants possession.
other cases were decided which will he noted
hereafter.
Canadians Engaging la the American Coast.
Ing Trade.
Section 20 of act OF Congress OF July 20, 1885, pro-
vides that
if any goods wares or merchandise shall at any
port or place In the United states ON the northern,
Northeastern or northwestern frontier thereof. DO
laden upon any vessel belonging wholly part 70
subject or subjects of foreign country or c0un-
tries, and shall be taken thence 10 foreign port
place To be reladen and ieshpped TO any other port
or place in the United States on said frontiers,
American, with intent to evade the provisions of
the fourth section OF tue act concerning the navga
ton Of the waters OF the United States, which pro-
hbits foreign vessels from transporting American
goods from point To point coastwlse In the United
ses fse saS wae ncr S Or s On s
and forfeited TO the United States, and the vessel
shall pay tonnage duty OF fifty cents ton on her
admeasurement
II is rumored that there parties on our north.
ern and northwestern frontiers largely engaged in
transporting iron from American ports to points
on the Canadian side for the purpose OF reshipment
to other American ports, which is violation OF the
above section. Ore shipped has been seized at
Erie, recently, under the section named. and sub.
eced TO delay ana 10 libel; and 1t Is said other ship
ments OF thus made are likewise liable 10 seiz-
ure and expensive detention Aside from this fact,
IL may he that Canadian vessels landing American
goods al Canadian ports for resnipment TO some
other American ports liable TO payment OF duty
under the section OF the act ofls. referred above.
1t Is believed at the department here that the parties
SO engaged Intentionally violating the law, the
practice having been IN vogue for years before the
passage of the law OF 1866, Dus thai they have
not had their attention called TO the extent Of the
abllity incurred BY them In continuing It.
Railroad Companies Overreachiux Them.
selves.
ON the 9th OF May last secretary Boutwell, issued
an order prescribing the use of the seat locks on all
hnud tta
frontier and destined to the ports OF Portland
Boston and New York, the order to go
into effect on the LIST day Of july subsequently, the
order was extended to the 18th inst but as OF
the roads have seen ut to comply with the same
Secretary Boutwell, has instructed collectors on
frontier ports allow any cars to pass without
an examination, entry and appraisemcnt OF the