The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-17
What America Demands as Right---What
Spain May Grant as Courtesy.
THE FARRAGUT MONUMENT.
Was the Tariff Alteration a
Blunder or a Fraud?
The Tobacco Men Uneasy About
Bonded Weed.
WASHINGTON, June II, 1872.

The Case Of DIR. HOuard.
few weeks before the close of the late session OF
Congress several gentlemen OF high Official position
mad private conference, with view of strength
ehlhg our navy While they did not mediate hos
Tile measures they were of opinion that the position
OF SPAN toward tho United States required this
government to be prepared to assert its power in
case OF an emergency and enforce compliance
with its reasonable demands. 1t was known at
| the time that Spain was tardy in acting upon the
case OF DR.. Houard-the Charge d'Atfaires at
Madrid having been instructed by Secretary Fish,
on March O. to demonstrate against the proceedings
OF the Spanish authorities in Cuba concerning
him, as violation of the treaty OF 1896, and
to ask his immediate release; further, that
on March 20 our Charge d. Aaires was instructed to
press the Of DIR. Houard upon the attention of
the Spanish government. President Grant, on re-
ceiving letter from Mrs. Dutton In behalf OF her
brother, DR.. Houard, made an endorsement upon 1t
before he sent 1t to the Department of State,
pressing In brief but emphatic terms his indgna-
ton at the manner in which the Doctor had been
treated, he having been arrested eighteen months
ago and sent to Spain the 4th OF March last. 1t
seems, however, that nothing decisive resulted
from the conference Of the prominent gentlemen to
whom reference has been made. The Spanish gov
eminent, through its former Minister, Mr.. Roberts,
had asked for the recall of the American Minister on
the ground that he had made his presence distastel
by interfering with the political questions OF that
country, The communication was made verbally.
AS the case OF NJ Catacazy was adverted to, there
seemed to be no difficulty in Kidding Madrid of the
presence Of the Objectionable Minister. Not long
ago the American Minister returned to Madrid to
relterate the instructions relative to Dr.. Houard
and to present his letter Of recall.
Although 1t is said In official quarters that our re-
atons with Spain are friendly no successor to the
American Minister will be appointed until several
matters In the controversy, including the liberation
Of DR.. HOuard, shall be adjusted. The Spanish
government has yet failed to be convinced
that DR.. Houard is citizen OF the United States,
but 1t may release him as friendly act, in accord
ance with the request Of this government, informa-
ton to this effect having been received.
Balloon Observations In the Signal Ser
vice.
Observer Sergeant schaefYer, OF the Signal Ser
vice, has received orders to hold himself in readi-
ness to make balloon ascension from Boston
the 4th proXimo, for the purpose of scientific OBJ
servation of the upper air currents The ascension
is to be the first Of series inaugurated by the War
Department Signal Office for the solution of ques-
tons In relation TO aerial currents. Sergeant
Schaetrer is supplied with complete set of instru-
ments and will make formal report Of the results
/ Of his observations
The Alteration In the Tariff Act.
The Internal Revenue office has issued in pam.
phlet FORM much OF the act OF Congress approved
June as provides for the reduction OF internal
taxes and other purposes. The concluding section
| as printed contains the word august, 1872" as
the date which the act shall take effect, except
where otherwise provided. This word is In the
enrolled bill as filed In the Department Of State,
which furnished the Internal Revenue Office with
a copy of it. 1t is known who, before the bill was
engrossed, erased the word "Juy" and substituted
that OF august" The explanation the person
gives for so doing is that he understood that
several members of the conference committee 80
directed. But In this he erred
The Artist Competition for the Farragut
Monument.
The Joint Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds say they will exercise their best Judgment
in carrying out the law of Congress appropratng
$4,000 for statue of the late Admiral
Farragut, to be faithful in form and fea-
ture, and most appropriate for erec-
ton I in Farragut square. Artists have
from now until the 1st OF January next to prepare
thgir designs. The selection is to be made within
thirty days thereafter by the committee. They
assured that impartiality and fairness will be
strictly regarded toward all competitors.
Douceur for Duty.
Ex-Presdent Johnson recently received $4,000 as
a refund OF tax on his salary, the same principle
having been applied to President Grant under q
judicial decision.
Preparing Naval Vessels for the Pacific
Ocean Survey and Other Service.
Commander Meade has been ordered to take
charge OF the arrangements for fitting out the
Narragansett for the survey of the Pacific Ocean.
He will make such changes may be found ncces-
sary her battery will be left at Callao, and after
the necessary repairs the Narragansett will go to
Panama where she will receive the offcers of the
expedition and the surveying instruments, and
commence the survey OF the outer part OF the
peninsula Of Lower California. In the meantime
the Portsmouth, now on her way to the United
States with the officers and crew of the lancaster,
of the South Atlantic squadron, will he fitted out
with steam launches and all other appliances She
will leave for the Pacific soon as the repairs
finished. Commander Skerrett is to have command
OF the expedition.
The Yantic il being rapidly fitted out at Norfolk,
and will be ordered to the East India squadron.
She is expected to sail some time in July. The
monitor Mahopac, also fitting out at Norfolk, will
be ready for sea In a few weeks The repairs will
make her more effective than ever.
Tobacco Manufacturers in q stStew."
The tobacco manufacturers, who have been stor-
ing large quantities Of tobacco In bonded ware
houses since the 9th Of June the day when the
new revenue law was signed by the President, are
astonished at the decision OF Commissioner Doug
lass, that tobacco put in bond since that date and
withdrawn for consumption must pay the present
tax OF thirty-two cents per pound. The Commits
sioner says that the wording Of the law is to that
effect and that only the tobacco In bond that day
is entitled to be withdrawn after July l. at the new
rate Of twenty cents per pound. kilograms and let
tiers in large numbers were yesterday received from
merchants in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore
and Richmond, asking II there is not some mis-
take. Mr.. Douglass replied that he had no discre-
tion in the matter, and the parties aggreved must
appeal to Congress for relief A number of tobacco
dealers are under the impression that after''uly
they will be entitled to refund OF the difference In
the old tax Of thirty-two cents and the now tax OF
twenty cents on all tobacco in their possession.
Commissioner Douglass is preparing q ieater 10 Tue
effect that such applications are useless ~ no such
nrovieinu 10 m ade n the law.