The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-23
WA07INO On
Decision Of the Supreme Court in the
Legal Tender Cases.
The Act Declared to be I'm
constitutional.
Secretary Fish to Retire from
the Cabinet.
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New Plan for The Payment Of Interest on
Government Securities.
An Insane Claimant for Execu-
tive Honors.
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DisfrihufiGu Af dhn Additional Not;ouop
Distribution Of the Additional National
Bank Currency.

time on the question OF The cOnstutonality OF
the Legal Tender act, which was argued before the
court last Tuesday Justices Clifford. Field, Nelson,
Davis ami Chase are said to be against the consitu
tiOnaty OF the act In question. while Justices Miller,
Strong, Bradley ana Swayne are In favor OF II. The
general Impression is that the decision Of the Court
Will be that the Legal Tender act is unconstitutional
and that contracts made before the war payable
In gold. The decision win not be rendered for
several days.
RumOred Cabinet Changes.
There seems TO be no foundation for the reports
OF Cabinet changes which have recently been put In
circulation. The only change likely to be made az
the present time VIII result from the retirement OF
MIR. Secretary Fish. an event which has long been
expected. i'll. Fish will of course, remain in his
present position until after the labors Of the JOINT
High Commission shall have been fully concluded.
IL seems TO be understood, frequently stated IN
the HERALD, that Secretary Fish will he succeeded
by Senator Morton OF Indiana. 1t Is doubtful If
other changes are made at present. although there
~ much surprise expressed that Boutwell, ana Aker-
man still remain IN the CablneJ
Important Occi ion b. Ibs Secretary OF the
Trrasury.
The Secretary OF The Treasury has overrued the
decision Of March IL, 1871. which classified steel
known as circular saw steel ana best cross cuts as
saws partly manufactured and by letter OF April 81
1871 addressed 10 the Collector OF the port OF New
York, says that these may be hereaf or classified
steel in sheets. AMI pay duty according to value
per pound This is regarded as q very Important
ruling and one largely Affecting the interests OF
home manufacturers OF saws.
Distribution of Fmcrea seG National Bunk GIN.
rcnry.
The Comptroller Of the Currency states that the
Southern States, for whose benefit in part the bin
Ma hn NIX
$54,0OoOO0 have so far been unable to take their
quota to establish their share OF national bar KS
Thus far only about fifteen millions have been paid
out, ana there are applications on file for about ten
millions additional. These come mostly from the
Western States and Territories. The first dlstrib,-
ton was made, according the terms OF the act Of
Congress, upon the basis OF population After this
the distribution is to be made upon tue basis Of the
rcsource~ OF states una territories. II Ia the
opinion OF the Comptroller that, owing to the con
dltion OF the South. at least TWENTY-FIVE millions
viii remain for distribution among the States and
Territories OF the West nj the close OF the present
year.
Payment Of Interest on Registered Bonds.
The plan announced to-day by the Secretary of the
Treasury for the payment OF interest the new
registered bends, it Is thought. VIII make the
loan more popular than ever among those holding
registered bonds issued under former acts There
upwards OF fifty thousand holders or United States
registered securities recorded the books Of the
Treasury Department. and the semi-annual interest
made payable only AZ the Assistant Trcasurer's ca
only be drawn by the party owning the bonds
through power Of attorney; therefore, II parties
residing any distance from the Sub-Treasuries de-
to obtain the interest due they subjected to
the expense OF visiting the places where they are
located pay some bank for the trouble OF collect
ing 1t. The interest on the new bonds is made pay
as inconvenience OF the present system Secretary
Boutwell, has determined to adopt the plan
promulgated to-day. wnile it offers additional
inducements parties holding fve-twenties
TO exchange them for five per cent bonds it
Will at tile same time be saving to the
government IN paying the quarterly interest.
Payment OF the Connecticut ynr Claims.
warrant for $l9 135 IL, the amount due the State
OF Connecticut as the war clam, was to-day drawn
at the Treasury Department in favor Of Governor
English. The claims OF d. +. Dowell and g. J. Drew,
amounting TO over $4,000, for money expended In
the Rogue River Indian war in Oregon many years
ago, were also paid to-day.
Reception by the Members Of the EnalisI,
Commission.
Earl de Grey was at home tonight AT the quarters
OF the English High Commission. 1t was one OF the
largest receptions that ever took place in Washing
members Of the JOINT High Commission, Judges OF
the Supreme Court, members OF the Cabinet
foreign Ministers, Senator's and Representatives in
Congress- eminent officers OF the army and navy
and many prominent citizens, accompanied by
ladies. Sir Edward and Lady Thornton assisted
Earl de Grey in receiving the guests. Tho
yard attached to the house was for this
sion converted into a conservatory, choice plants
beng tastefuly arranged, and the walls hung with
evergreens and intertwincd with American and
British fags. The band played alternately the
tional airs OF both countries. There were much
freedom AMI sociablity among the guests, ana the
hospitalites were richly dispensed
The English Hixh Commission
are anxiousiy awaiting advices from their govern
ment concerning the propositions submitted for Its
sanction.
Another Claimant for the White House.
This morning man, named Patrick Meg miss,
who says he Is from Pawtucket, X. L., appeared at
the Office of the Cn1ef OF Police and applied for a
force OF police strong enough to place him In the
White House, which he claims az his once, he hav-
ing been elected President of the United States by
the people, and that 1t Is all humbug about Grants
election. lie mad previously applied to a lawyer
near the police headquarters to prosecute his claim
for the oice OF President before the Supreme Court
OF the United States. He says he has made q formal
demand upon the President to vacate his seat.
transportation was obtained for him to Pnadcl-
pima on his way home TO Rhode Island.
Cbivnirous PoIiiiclnns-Courtesics Between
Radical and Democratic Leaders.
General Chapman, Delegate elect to Congress. to-
day returned the visit OF the defeated candidate Mr..
Merrck, which the latter made To the former yester
day. The interview was In the highest degree per-
sonally friendly Mr.. Mcrrick pledgmg the democracy
10 do everything In their power to advance the gen.
eral interests OF the District OF Columbia.
Fatal Accident.
This afternoon an accident occurred on seventh
street and virginia avenue, resulting In the instant
death OF and the fatal injury OF another. The
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad force are tunneng