The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-17

WASHINGTON. August 10, 1871.

pdrtulcus irom Asdpu ?. pouts, supervising III
specio5 q the New York Ninth district, giving an
account of the serious explosion on the steamer
Chautauqua, on the lake OF that nancs s ga sss:sN
afternoon iast lie says:-"Although the inland
lakes OF New York have been added
TO my district, which embraces only such
as have connections with the waters OF
the United States it will be understood
that Chautauqua Lake Is exempt from the jurisdlc-
ton OF the United States supervising inspectors a. IL
has no connection with the navigabe waters OF tho
United States Under the decision OF the United
States Supreme Court 1t would be regarded as the
waters of State, ana not OF the United States"
Mi. Bems therefore, Is not held responsible Tor any
neglect on his part to enforce the Steamboat IN
spect0n act nor any OF the local inspectors 10
be called 10 account for the which led to this
dreadful accident. It. Is stated that the
steamer was miserable affair, O sort OF o Humpty
Dumpty steamboat and IL Is only TO be wondered
that disaster has not attended her long ago. Under
the circumstances mentioned the Secretary OF the
Treasury Is poweress 10 order an investigation,
and the responsibility must rest with the State au-
th0rtties alone
Murder Of n Noted New York Rough.
John Mccarthy, who was murdered on MONDAY
night ON Pennsylvania avenue, was well known
throughout Washington, and was, PRIOR TO MS COM
Ing here, noted sporting character and brulser III
New York. deadly enmity mad of late sprung up
between him and his former associates, and having
announced MS Intention to quit his former assO-
ctates certain raids recently made on gam
bling houses were attributed to his in
nuenco with the superintendent OF Police. This
officer, however has published card positively
denying any connection with the deceased in any
manner whatever. The remains OF Mccarthy were
embalmcu yesterday ami laid out for public view
at Harvey Marrs. Notwithstanding this Is the
waimest day OF the season, it Is estimated
that not less than five thousand persons
have viewed the remains. The crowd was so
great to require detail OF policemen to keep
order. Some Of the visitors openly cursed the dead
man, and were not modest In the manner In which
they gave utterance 10 their feelings There mas not
been an occurrence in this city for many months
that has excited and interested the pOpulace OK
Washington as the murder OF John Mccarthy.
Important Decision by the Mexican Claims
Commission.
In the Mexican Claims Commission to-day tho
case OF Mr.. william E. Barron the surviving partner
OF Barron, Forbes & Co., versus the United States.
was taken up. This was claim involving the Now
Almedan Quicksilver Mines Of California. Tho
claimants are British SUBJECTS and claim on the
ground that they are vested with the rights OF their
Mexican grantOrs In the mines In question Tenane
rights were assigned to their firm some time prior to
the I'd OF February, 1S4s They complain. first, Of
the act of Congress of March g. 1861 requiring them
to submit new titles to the Board of Land Commits
sioners established California to try titles arising
under spanish and Mexican grants second, Of tina
refusal OF the United States to make proper provi-
sions BY law to enable claimants to procure
the evidence necessary TO establish the genuine
ness OF their title; third OF the judgment Of the
Supreme Court Of the United States, rendered al
its December term In 1862 In the OF the United
States versus Aubus CasterO, pron0uncing the title
under Barron, Forbes Co., claimed to be null and
void. The claimants at the date OF the treaty OK
peace with Mexico and the cession Of California.
had a commercial council In Mexico. Dy virtue Of
which 1t was contended by them that they were
Mexican citizens for all purposes intended by that
provision OF the treaty which guaranteed the pro-
lection of the United States to all valid
titles In California arising under Mexican
grants Thc preliminary question Of Citizen
ship, as well as the other points or the case, were
fully argued. The Commissioners disagreeing In
opinion the case was referred to the umpire, who
now decides against the pretension Of the claimants
to Mexican citizenship and dismissed the claim.
Ano, her Of Commissioner PleasOntOu's DE-.
cisions Overruied.
On the 10th March last the late Commissioner
Pleasonton decided that any writing, whether caed
receipt or otherwise, which contains contract to
continue in any policy OF Insurance which
not expired Is exempt from stamp DUTY. Com.
missioner Douglas, on the 16lh inst, In q
letter to Collector Amos. of Providence. r. l..
reversed this decision, and holds that any wrltten
contract, made in the form OF q receipt or other
wise, which renews or confirms q policy, requires
the same stamp as the original policy, whether
renewal OF the receipt Is given before or after the
expiration of the policy. 1t Is estimated that thu
stamp tax referred to yielded the government about
half million OF dollars per annum, which was Of
course lost under the decision OF March 49, The
revenue from this source IL restored by the present
decision.
Farmers Utilizing the Weather Reports.
Since the organization and successful operation
OF the weather Bureau have become accomplished
facts various applications have been made 10 the
Chief Signal Ofcer to utilize his observations and
report for the benefit Of farmers and agrlcuur,sts.
The law provides only for giving notice the north
lakes and sea coast OF the approach Of storms BY
circular from the Signal ONCE the Chief Onlcer
calls the attention of applicants for reports of OBJ
servatlons and probabilities to the fact that private
gentlemen and officers OF societies. by taking advan-
tage OF the daily publication OF weather reports can
make forecast for themselves and furnish inlorma-
ton to localities which cannot be reached by tile
daily synopsis aud probabilities issuing from the
Signal Office.
Rights OF Steamboat Captains.
The Treasury Department has decided that where
a steamer Is propelled by both high and low pressure
engines she is prohibited under The law from having
the words slow pressure" painted upon her paddle
boxes. The penalty for the violation Of the above
Is forfeiture Of the steamer. The department has
also decided that where the commander of a vessel
Is part owner he cannot be deposed as captain and
replaced by another commander by the action OF the
other owners without the order OF court OF oompe-
tent jurisdiction, even though the portion owned BY
such captain Is but small fraction OF such vessel
Heavy Increase Of Impcrtations.
The receipts for Customs for the present month 60
date are nearly ten millions Of dollars and arc
larger than any that have been returned for tho
same portion OF the month OF August
The New Loan-Couiemplated Perma meme
Withdrawal Of Bonds from the Market.
Especial despatch TO the Evening Post