The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-26

- WASHINGTON, August rs. 1871
Bianton Communicating with tho


WASHINGTON, August IS. 1877.
Bianton Communicating with tho
Enemy.
letter addressed to Blanton Duncan chairman
OF the Executive Committee, straight:out demo-
Gratis was this morning received in care OF Post
master Edmunds OF the Republican Congressional
Campaign Committee A letter carrier was imme
diately despatched to hunt up Blanton, and, alter
visiting all the hotels, reported that he could not
be found.
Southern Claims.
The aggregate number of claims presented to the
Southern Claims Commission thus far is 10000,
ranging from sl2 to g350,0oo and averaging $500
each. The Commission have finally reported on
$50 cases, in which s16oo,0 were claimed. About
$50 OF them were rejected principally for absence
Of proofs Of loyalty and for the remaining $50 cases
Congress, on the recommendation OF the Commits
sion, appropriated SS5O,oOo; the money has
since been paid with the exception OF $4,000,
which WAS stopped through the reports OF
special agents, who were employed after
the general report OF the Commissioners
had been made to Congress- and who discovered
reasons for Withholding this amount, in three or
four cases, from Virginia. The Commissioners
three in number, absent from Washington, have
under examination 500 claims apiece, upon which
they viii report at their next meeting, in the COM
ing October when in addition. 500 other cases will
also be decided. The Commission will, according
to the law creating it, expire on the Sd Of March
mex and six years will be consumed in transact
ing the business now on hand. Under the bureau
system, such as prevails in the departments
fifty years would be required for this pur
pose. The rapldty OF transactng the
business OF the Commission is unprecedented,
there being chief clerk and only four assistants
This expedition Is principally due to the fact that
but few fOrmalities are observed and voluminOus
books dispensed with. The expenses to claimants
are small. There are no office fees excepting for
taking testimony, and the lowest charge Is made
for claims under $1,000. Information has been re-
ceved here that agents in the South collecting
claims or persons whose property was taken for
public uses or destroyed to facilitate military
operations, but who cannot prove loyalty owing
to their giving aid and comfort to the COnederates
These agents are acting upon the supposition that
Congress will ultimately dispense with the loyalty
clause. The aggregate OF such claims is already
large
No Moiety, No Informer.
Since the act cutting on informers' moieties went
into effect there has not been single case of fraud
or attempted evasion OF the revenue laws reported
at the Internal Revenue Bureau 1t Is alleged that
in rreting out frauds, &C., the government
Officials constantly run risk of assault and with
out the incentive Of reward they are not anxious
to jeopardize their lives for the small pay received.
Want of Postal Arrangements with
France.
Negotiations are in progress through Minister
Washburne for q postal convention with France.
The last accounts seem favorable for good ar
rangement. There is now no plan between the
French and United States governments for an ex-
change OF mails. Letters for France should be ad-
dressed "via England" and the ten cents postage
prepaid.
Secretary Delano's Health.
Secretary Delano has so far recovered from his
recent sickness as to be able to transact official
business. .