The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-18
WASHING
Chances Of Sinister Release
Of DR.. Houard.
PROSPECTS OF THE COTTON CROP.
A Valuable Warning to the To-
bacco Trade.
WASHINGTON, June II, 1872.
DIR. Houartl,s Case.

WASHINGTON, June IT, 1872.
DIR. Houard's Case.
40 advices from Madrid have yet reached the
State Department concerning the expected release
Of Or. Houard but early termination of the case
is looked for in any event, as the latest inorma-
ton received through other than official channels
indicate that the prisoner is not in condition to
endure much longer the anxietes OF his situation.
The Cotton Crop.
The following is brief synopsis Of the statement
OF the and condition OF the present cotton crop
which will appear in the June report OF the Depart
ment OF Agriculture An increase in the cotton
area is reported In every State, and q very small
proportion OF county returns show decrease
of acreage. Planting was generally retarded by
protracted season Of drought and fields that were
planted late occasioned some trouble in obtaining
perfect stands but the recent rains and renewed
efforts in repantng have finally secured stands OF
average completeness The percentage ofhcrease in
area last years crop being the basis OF cyMparson
is as folows:-North Carolina, 10; South Carolina,
8; Georgia, II; Florida, 10; Alabama, IL; Missis-
sipp 10; Louisiana, IL; Texas, IS; Arkansas, 10;
Tennessee, IL. The average increase throughout
the cotton States will approximate thirteen per
cent. Texas has naturally made the largest rela-
tive increase, not only having enjoyed favorable
for planting, but also during the past year
cotton planters The condition of the plant through
oat the cotton section is very nearly
full average Separating the Atlantic from
the more Western States the former stand
little below an average, while the latter fully
up to the standard Of fair condition. The drought
which prevailed in April and the first half OF May
delayed growth, and cold nights in the more north
ern belt had further retarding effect, but the
abundant rains and genial temperature which fol-
lowed have wonderfully invigorated and advanced
the crops. The following figures represent the
condition OF cotton in the several States, 100 stand
ing for an average NORTH Carolina, %; South
Carolina, %; Georgia, 96 Florida, s5; Alabama,
lo5; Mississippi, 100; louisiana 100; Texas 100;
Arkansas, ss5 Tennessee, 1o1.
Tobacco i'm Bond.
The statement published in these dispatches to
the effect that manufacturers of tobacco were mis-
taken in supposing that between the 9th and 3Oth
of June tobacco could be stored in bonded ware
houses and Withdrawn for home consumption at
the reduced rate has put the manufacturers on
their guard. The firm which had e, 600 pounds
en- route to a warehouse telegraphed Commissioner
Douglass to-day that it was still at the railroad
depot, and asked permission take 1t back to the
factory. The matter is held for consideration.
The ARave Americana.
A sample OF the baked heart of the Agave Ameri-
cana has been received at the Internal Revenue
Bureau. This is the plant from which q liquor
called mescal is produced and the specimen will be
fermented and distilled in the office Of the Internal
Revenue for the purpose Of determining its spirit
producing capacity, application having been made
to manufacture whiskey from this article.
The Supervising Inspector Generalship.
Among the nominations sent to the Senate that
we're not confirmed was that of Joseph Nimm0, Jr.,
TO be Supervising Inspector General, vice Joseph
Belknap whose resignation was to take effect on
the confirmation OF Nimmo. Mr.. Belknap insists on
his resignation being accepted at once, and Mr.
Nmmo will be appointed his successor.
The Inspection OF Steamers.
It has come to the knowledge OF the Treasury
Department that 1t is the custom with the In
spectors Of steam vessels, after having made an
inspection of a steamer, to make out and subscribe
10 four copies OF an inspection certificate in add
ton to the original, each of which is verified by
oath before notary public, and a fee of 81 so ex
acted OF every steamer for her inspection papers.
The department decides that the whole transaction
is irregular and Illegal and must be at once dis
continued. No authority whatever exists for ex
acting fee from steamers for their inspection
papers other than that for making the inspection.
Counterfeiting Imported Cigar Stamps.
The Commissioner Of Internal Revenue will adj
dress circular letter collectors and cigar manu-.
facturers, informing them that Congress had made
1t a felony to use counterfeit customs revenue
stamps, and that the penalty is fine Of 500 and
not exceeding 1000 and six months, or not more
than three years imprisonment In the Pententiary
This class Of stamps has been principally used in
New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, to make it
appear that domestic cigars were imported.
Private Relief Acts.
The number Of private relief bills passed during
the recent session of Congress is unprecedentedly
large, and the business Of adjusting and paying
the appropriations has therefore increased the
work of the warrant division OF the Treasury De-
partment. These heavy reductions will probably
have an enect on the public debt, rendering the
reduction Tor the present month less than the usual
average amount.
Dividends on Burst National Banks.
dividend OF twenty-five per cent has been de-
clared by the Comptroller of the Currency in favor
oil the creditors of the Eighth National Bank OF New
York, payable on the 18th inst, making in all dv
dend to the amount Of fifty per cent Dividends
have recently been paid to the creditors OF the
Ocean National Bank of seventy per cent, and to
creditors Of the Union Square National Bank OF one
hundred per cent. Dividends win soon be made
TO the creditors Of the National Bank OF Bethel,
Conn.,, and of the Waverley National Bank, OF
Waverley, \. y, which viii, probably, finally close
up the affairs OF these banks
The National Gold Banks.
only three national gold banks are at present In
operation, two OF which are in California with
capital OF 100000 each, and the other in Boston,
with capital OF 100000. Applications are on nle
In the ONCE OF the Comptroller OF the Currency for
the establishment Of other gold banks at sacra-
mento stockton and Oaklands, Cal. No applica-
lions have been received from New York, nor any
cities other than those above mentioned.
Internal Revenue Appointments.
The following internal revenue appointments
have been made:-
Gduge7s-Thomas J. Williams and George s.
Martin Twenty-frst district OF Pennsylvania; John
l.. Hudiburg, Second district of Tennessee.
Sorebeeper-WiIliam $. Humphreys, Fifth dis
trct OF nois
Assistant AssessOr-Edward Norton, twentieth
district Of New York
The internal revenue receipts to-day were
$950,205.
Recruiting for the Marine Corps.