The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-14
WASHING IN.
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A Methodist Minister'S Experience
Among the Alabama M Kluy.
Commissioner Pleasonton Reads Spies
and Infcrmers a Lecture.
TIE Alabama Claims ArbltratiOn-Ulwar-
franted Use OF Senator Sumner Name.

wAsurSGToS, June 10, 1871
In teres,ing Testimony Before tho u" Ajax
Committee.
= Rev A. & Lak,p. OF Alabama, was before the Con-
rrressional Ku Klux Committee to-day. Ills exami-
nation continued four hours. This gentleman was
Tor eighteen years a member of the New YORK
Methodist church Conference, anu was sent 10 Ala
pama py Bishop Clark. shortly after the close Of the
war 10 organize the Methodist Episcopal church
In that State. IN five years and eight months
the membership has Increased to 1900,
with twenty travelling ministers. lie repre-
sented 10 the committee that in the
pursuance OF his mission he had travelled over the
Stale but more recently had confined himself TO
Northern Alacama. since 1853 presiding elders
had been driven from their work, two ministers
whipped. another fred on and required TO leave
ms circuit, one travelling minister was Killed
ma two local ministers murdered In
nearly all instances the offenders were In
disguise. Mr.. Lakin himself was shot at
in MS own house. and also on the highway and had
been lnolested by Ku Kiux Khan within the last two
years. Union men insulted and maltreated ana
frequent murders are committed. Affairs IN that
state are as bad as ever. There is no improvement.
Tae republican members OF the committee say
1akins' testimony Is the most interesting and yall-
able Of any yet taken before 1t.
Pensioners OF .he War o: isto.
The Commissioner OF Pensions today promul-
gated the following resolution
In the adjustment OF claims for pensions under
the act OF February IL, 1871. pensioning soldiers
mud sailors of the OF Isl2, waere tDe claimant
winch the ONCE accented as proof in settlement
OF The cian Tor bounty land Will be taken as con-
for pension provided there be no su -pic,on tiat
such evidence was iraudulently procured or er-
roneousy applied in the bounty land case.
scientific Observations Of tie Recent Solar
Professor william darkness, OF the Naval observa-
tory, returned here to-day from Europe, where he
has been for some months past suffering from
complication OF diseases. lie was one o. the party
sent out by the Navy DEPARTMENT 10 observe the
eclipse In Southern Europe last December,
ana was his way 70 the United States
when Frustrated by sickness Professor Hara
mess having the most important part OF the
scientific work assigned HIM, Admiral Sands,
tie superintendent OF The Observatory, mas been
nnabe to complete the report or the observations
made on that occasion. He will now, however,
with the assistance OF Professor Hardness devote
his attention =" preparation Of the work, which,
% ready for distribution about
,oer next the coast
ut by Congress TO make
et Of observations from
Observatory party. viii not
t4r fu. shed for some time. Professor
la tt1 was at the head OF tins parry,
ste A his report an elaborate Sra.c
.4e3 'ded by sclept4tic men as en-
= court Of Arbitration Upon the Alabama
Claims.
Mr., Sumner says that the use or his name in con
pection the representation OF United states
An tie Court OF Arbitration which Is TO assemble az
Ger Ga 10 decide upon the Alabama claims Is entirely
unauthorized. He pronounces his proposed
nection with the adjudication OF this class or claims
a pure invention, aud refers article ! OF tue
constitution, which says
mo person holding any once under the United
States shall be member OF either House OF congress
tor or Representative shall, during the time
Tor which he Is elected, be appointed 10 any
civil oIce under the auth ,rty OF the United States
which shall have been created or the eAoiuments OF
which shall have been increased during his ierm.'
These two tests make Mr.. Summers appointment
Impossible.
Instructions for The Bringing of Su.,s ia
Internal Hevcnae Csse-.
The following circular was issued to-day by Com.
missioner Pleasouton:-
In view OF the Injustice done. and unnecessary
expense and trouble incurred by hasiy and III
ADVISED prosecutions In internal revenue matters,
the following distractions are issued
All Gases OF Violations o. the internal revenue
laws should he reported aud the evidence submitted
10 the collector o. the disric. whtcn they arise.
sucn OF the cases as Involve EVASION or Tie noh-
payment OF taxes should theroupon be re'erred by
Tie collector 10 the assessor o. the district, VITA The
evidence IN tue case. fer such assessments rs the
facts may show TO be proper. Criminal prosecu.
flo IS IN such should not lie
menced teiore the reception the assessors report,
unles In The Judgment OF the collector the delay
would De detrimental 20 the Interests OF the govern
men.. The United states District Attorney should
lie consulted, whenever practcib.e PRIOR 10 making
complaints OF violations OF the internal revenue
laws before TINT d states Comm ssioae.s. 1t IL
suggested 10 United Sates distrlUt attorneys. col
ectors and oshef officers of Internal revenue that
no cncodra-emcnt should pe given TO tao
commencement OF prosecutions FOR merely technical,
slight ana uuintent OAal cicnc"s Gnu ali CON plants
presented by professional nlOTIners should receive
careful scrutiny before the c0lM6Bc 3ulent OF lro-
secutions tieTeupon Special attention Is called TO
The toas OF the Revenue law bearing upon suD-
1ecs OF prosecutions wherein dcsgnat0u VINO are
the proper prosecuting ohccls and what The
e.hods or pros ecuting.
TIE CIGLE0vS CIglgsSS,gsH.