The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-28
WASHINGTON.
Commissioner PleaSontOn's Decision Con.
corning the Dividend Tax.
Alarming Condition Of the
Cotton Crop.
japanese Appreciation or
Americans.
Judge Capron Appointed Commissioner OF
Agriculture in Japan

Commissioner Pleasonton has written letter ~
Assessor Fessenden of the FIRST Massachusetts, DIS
trict response tho question whether the recent
decision concerning tue tax interest certificates
OF the New York Central Railroad Company covers
the case OF scrip dividends issued by an Insurance
company, IN which the Commissioner says, II the
scrip dividend represents or IL based upon
untaxed net earnings Of the company, the same
should be returned at its value at the time it was
declared. II declared subsequent TO July 81, 1870,
the rate OF tax be assessed two ana half per
cent
The cashier OF nqrional bank writes to the Com
nissioner:-in the exchange OF bonds with the de-
parment short time ago for the new five per cent
oan $4,000 Of the bonds OF this bank, due In 1881.
were converted INTO fve-;wentles, the difference In
premiums received AMI carried 10 the surplus
iund. j. the amount realized taxable
TO this bank az earnings the current six months9
IL the commission of one-quarter OF one per cent
allowed In the exchange taxable The Commits
sioner replies that the difference between the amount
paid for the bonds o. 1881 aud the amount received
therefor must be included as profits OF the bank.
II the commission spoken Of was any expense OF
exchange incurred by the said bank Is not asses.
sable as profit
The Commissioner decides III the OF tax
CURED by the Assessor or the Thirty-seco1d New
York district on u dividend OF the Continental Fire
Insurance Company, alleged 10 nave been declared
in August 1870, upon which the assessment was AZ
the rate or 1--WE per cent, ana also the amount or
PROFITS added the surplus fund az the same
rate, that the assessment was erroneous. Profits
carried to the account OF any fund prior
10 August /, 1870 would be liable at
the rate of i've per cent, but dividends
declared after July 81 1870 were liable at two ana
half per cent. The Collector OF the Thiity-second
district has been Instructed to delay the collection
.,F ~ tnn fn
OF the ire Insurance company to pay the tax of
s553,933 assessed on the dividend when due, for
thirty days. also report the facts pertaining to
the said neglect that the Office may decide whether
1t was IN any wise JUSTIFIED.
Ku kiux In Alabama.
A memorial was received here to-day dated Duo.
lin, Fayette county Ala, addressed to PRESIDENT
Grant. and representing tie sentiments OF sixty
three persons. saying that the condition OF affairs is
such In Fayette county as to render the lives OF
loyal citizens wholly insecure. Armed bands,
styling themselves Ku Klux. are committing crimes
and 0ntrages upon peaceabe and law-abiding per-
sons. Murders by these rufIans, who have long
disgraced this county. Of common occurrence.
The civil authorities have been overawed and are
utterly pOweress to execute the laws. The petit
TONERS assert that unless the crimes which have
been committed by these ruillans can be terminated
and the organization Itself entirely broEcn up civil
uDcEiJ anu peIsou1 safety VIII DS dL suu III ray
cite county, and life and property and everything
else VIII soon be at the mercy OF organized mob.
For sucn reasons do most humbly and mplor-
ngly appeal for tina, protection which the constitu-
ton and laws guarantee TO every citizen OF the
unssed States.
General Forrest Before the ku Klux Con-
miitee.
General Forrest was before the Ku Klux Com.
mittee to-day. and mis- examination lasted four
,,.A ~.
existed IN Tennessee 1t account OF Governor
BrOwnl0w's proclamation In 1867 saying to the
militia they would not be molested ourages and
punishment OF rebels, and OF the apprenen-
sion Of injury 10 persons ana property many
negroes having left their homes and provided
through the country with arms In their hands. Ger
tainly no such organization has existed in Ten
nessee since 1855. Everything Is peaceful there
any other State and the people are aw-abidng
and deprecate disturbances much as those living
at the North
Five members OF the Committee Will SIT here at
least two weeks longer the other threc-namey.
Senator Scott and Representatives Stevenson ana
Van Trumr-wil leave for the South In the course or
few days, In order TO take testimony at various
points as special subcommittee. The republican
majority OF the Committee say that Judge Busted.
OF Alabama when examined few DAYS ago and
asked who gave HIM the Information he had Just re-
peateu 10 the committee, III relation to the existence
OF The Ku Klux In Northern Alabama. declined to
disclose the name OF his informant which omission
they regard very significant OF his position
toward said Ku klux organization.
Disturbing Agent of the New State Dcpnrts
mcnt.
The secretary OF State and the Secretary Of the
Treasury held long conference TO-DAY AT the Office
Of the latter, principally in relation TO the appoint
ment OF disbursing agent OF the new state Depart
ment, there being some questions as TO whether
such agent should be appointed by either OF these
gentlemen by the three Commissioners under
whose general supervision the appropriation Is to
called in TO confer with them. 1t is not known
what determination, II any was reached.
Alarming Condition Of the Cotton Crops.
Recent reports from several sections OF Georgia
firm the previous reports of the dscouraging cond-
ton OF the cotton crops the long continued rains
have rendered the cotton grassy that 1t will be
almost impossible to It, To increase the dis
comfture OF the planters, most of them short Of
hands, many Of the colored people having gone on
10 gather blackberries. The alarming condition or
the cotton crops has caused the neglected
similar state Of things represented to exist IN
all the Gulf States that lately been visited by
heavy rains.
Movements at the President.
A telegram received ut the Executive Mansion to.
day from Long Branch says President Grant viii re-
turn to Washington tomorrow morning, ana remain
mere two days.
Japanese Appreciation Of Americans.
IL Ia understood that Hon. Horace Capron, Com
missioner OF Agriculture. has accepted an offer Of
$40, 900 per annum proceed to Japan for the pur
pose OF developing the agricultural resources Of tho
Island OF Yesso.
Personal.
The COmmiss ioner OF Patents has returned from
Ono where he had been attending the Republican
convention.
the Commissioner OF Pensions has appointed wa
liam H. Corwin son OF the late Governor Corwip,
examining surgeon at Lebanon, Ohio.
Treasury Balanccs.
Balances in the Treasury the close Of the day.
$6.056 900; coin, S91 $685. 900; certificates,
: 10 14l,0O0.
United States Bonds In London.
Secretary Boutwell, to-day received cable tele.