Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-05
SAM WELLER.


UTAH.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-The following is re-
Ceived here:
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 8.
10 Hon. w. III. Hooper, Washington. An as
sembly ofover two thousand of all classes have
Just unanimously condemned Judge McKean's
onlclal course, and asked for his removal.
THOMAS FITCH"
IMPORTANT CASE.
The attorneys of the New York Central rail-
road commenced an argument before the COM
missioner of internal revenue yesterday. The
point at stake is whether the eighty per cent
interest certificates issued by the corporation to
Its stockholders were taxable as a dividend. 1t
IS commended by the company that the certificates
did not represent the income of gains or profits
of the road; that they were simply as basis
upon which TO declare dividends and enable the
company TO pay its stockholders larger dividends
Than 1t otherwise could under the laws of New
York, which allow the legislature to regulate
the rates OF fare, etc, whenever the dividends
exceed ten per cent; and that the certificates
themselves were payable, if at ALL out of the fIl-
lure earnings, and then only at the option of
the company. The argument on behalf of the
corporation will probably be concluded Monday,
and Commissioner Douglas will, as carly there
alter as possible, render a definite decision.
MORE ABOUT THE GENEVA ARBITRATION.
1t is said in official circles that our government
has no information which eXCites fears that the
Geneva arbitration will fail of its object not
outstanding the recent comments of the Lon
don press respecting the American statement of
case before that tribunal and attention is called
to the fact that, in commissioning the British
hlgh commissioners, Queen Victoria pledged
her royal word that, whatever things should be
transacted and concluded by her high commits
sioners, should be agreed to, acknowledged and
regarded by her in the fullest manner, and that
she would never suffer either, in whole OF in
part, any person whOmsover to infringe the
same or act contrary thereto, as far lay in her
power.
The treaty, is it known, provides that, should
1t appear that Great Britain has failed TO fulfil
any duty or duties as to the So-caed Alabama
depredations, and the arbitrator do not award
10 the United States sum in gross, it is agreed
mat board OF assessors shall he appointed to
ascertain what claims are valid and what
amounts are to be paid by Great Britain on ac
count Of liability arising from such failure as TO
such vessels according TO the extent of such lia-
bility, as decided by the arbitrator.
1t appears from the protocol that, at the con.
ference held on the Sth of March, the American
commissioners claimed that Great Britain, by
reason of failure in the proper observance of her
duties as neutral power had become Justly La
BILE for the acts OF the cruisers and their tenders
that the claims for loss and destruction of nri-
vate property which had thus far been presented
amounted to about S14 ,000, 900 without interest.
which was liable to he greatly increased by claims
which had not then been presented; that the
cost to which the government had been nut in
pursuit of the cruisers could be easily ascer-
tanned by certificate of the government ac-
counting officers; that, in hope Of an alnicabe
settlement, no estimate was made of indi-
rect losses, without prejudice, however, to the
right to naturalization on this account in the
event of no such settlement being made.
OUR AsIATIC FLEET.
Off1cial dispatches from Rear Admiral Rodp-
ers, commanding the Asiatic fleet, and dated
Yokohama, December 5, received at the navy
department, report affairs in Japan as perfectly
quiet. On the 2Sth of November, the admiral
received on board the Colorado, his eXcellcncy,
lwakura, prime minister Of the empire accom-
panied by the minister of war and his suite
They were received with appropriate honors,
and passed some hours on board, during which
they were escorted through the shin and wit.
messed the drill of the men. The Palos has
been ordered TO winter at rien-Isin. The adj
miral intended to sail on the 7th of December
for Nagaski; thence 10 Shanghai, and thence
10 Hong Kong, where he expected to be on the
10Th of January. The Alaska is at Yokohama.
The Benecia recently visited Ningpo, and thence
sailed for Annoy and Swallow, at each Of which
places she remained two weeks, and was to 90
to Hong Hong The Monocacy was at Shanghai
she accompanied the Beneca to Ningpc. The
Ashuelot was still at Foochow at which post
Affairs were quiet.
COMMITTEE WORK.
The house committee on the District of Column
bia, yesterday morning, continued the investi-
CATION of District of Columbia affairs. num-
Der of other witnesses were examined, but they
utterly failed to prove fraud or corruption on
the part of the local authorizes The truth is,
the whole investigation seems to have been
started and is urged forward by sore-head con.
tractors who failed TO get contracts.
mere is considerable comment on the fact
mat me committee on foreign affairs win report
20 indemnity for fishermen, under the Wash |
ington treaty. Secretary Boutwell, suggests
t .hat u might not be proper to give bounty as
tne treaty stipulates that British fishermen be
placed on an entire equality with American Ash.
ermen, ana bounty might violate this stpula.
tion, inasmuch as II would rive preference 10
our interests. Mr.. Boutwell, layors drawbacks
on vessels as relief, but Gen. Butler declares
ermen, because all the fshing Is done on orr
shores. A determined effort, however. win be
made 10 bring about the desired result,