The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-03

ederatlon In the Capinct tO-uay, anu thcre was
some discussion as to the matter OF allowing that
vessel to leave Baltimore without an investigation.
The whole subject was. however, referred to the
Attorney General
All the membera OF the Cabinet were present,
excepting Secretary Robson.
The New York Central Taxable Bonds.
Horace F. Clarke, Augustus schell, Mr. worcester
and several other attorney and officers OF the New
York Central Railroad Company arrived In this city
to-day, and will tomorrow appear before the Com
missioner OF Internal Revenue to argue against the
tax on their scrip dividend OF So. 100000
Consolidate the Whiskey Taxes.
A delegation Of Western distillers who have
come TO the capital TO represent their interests
before the Committee OF Ways and Means OF the
House OF Representatives, called at the Internal
Revenue ONCE to-day and consulted with Commits
si0Aer Douglas and Acting Third Deputy Holmes
| In relation 10 the present tax on whskey. Tney
expressed satisfaction at the present rate OF taxa
siOn, but represented that the manner or raising
the tax is hostile to the interests OF the distiers
and the spirit trade generally. They are anxious
that the various taxes-vz., the fifty cent tax, the
ten cent tax, capacity ana hOusekeepers taxes and
gaugers, fees-should be consolidated into one and
paid al once, when the whiskey Is removed from
the dstillery warehouse.
Uniform Tobacco Tax.
despatch received at the Internal Revenue
once today from Danville, Va, announces tnat at
meeting OF nearly all the manufacturers of tobacco
IN that town resolution was unanimously passed
in favor Of uniform rate Of tax upon all grades
ana styles Of manufactured tobacco at whatsoever
Congress may deem proper for the interests Of
the government.
The Duty Salt.
The COMMITTEE OF Ways and Means to-day cOntin-
| ued the hearing of the salt dealers. Judge Com.
stock concluded his argument cOntendng that there
| was no scarcity OF native resources from which
reasons could be drawn that salt ought TO be duty
free. capital OF $l5,00O,O00 is invested in Its
manufacture. Under the al Ualoren1 tariff Of fifteen
per cent IN 1868 and 1860 the Guty on 1000, 600
bushels produced only 100000 while under the
present law the duty on 100000 bushels
produced s1,23O,OOo He referred to petitions
OF revenue reformers in favor of the
| repeal OF the duty SALT and IN
this connection asked these refOrmers to show that
less duty would produce more revenue to the gov
eminent than the sum he had stated. The individual
consumption OF salt Is thlrtythr pounds to each
person annually, the duty being six cents, which
| would not buy as good cigar as any gentleman Of
the committee would smoke The point made was
that such repeal or sudden and violent change on
| salt would destroy that interest.
Mr. John +. briggs said If the salt had sold any
where as high as So per bushel in the country, as
| quoted yesterday, 1t was from some eX
traordinary cause, such as dinculty OF trans
| portation to some particular localities, or,
perhaps OWING to destruction OF salt by fire
| at chicago and other places The average price OF
| salt at Saginaw, where Mr.. briggs has salt works.
was about dollar and nfty-two cents per bushel
within the last year. One reason for the cneapness
OF manufacture is, he proceeded, his fuel is cheap
1t being the refuse of the lumber mills, and COM
paratively at cost prices II wood had been pur-
chased at the ruling prices all the profits would
have teen absorbed.
II. NJ. Fitzhugh, President Of the Saginaw Salt
Manufacturing Company, agreed with the views
| expressed by Judge Comstock, showing it was i'm.
possible for salt manufacturers form monopolies,
the discoveries OF brine being too extensive for this
purpose in various parts OF the country.
| Decrease of the Public Debt.
| An ofilcial statement issued by the Secretary Of
the Treasury SHOWS that the public debt has de-
creased from March i, 1859, to February l OF the
present year, from 81 $685. 463 26O to So 23s 2o
The aggregate decrease In the annual interest
charge since March !, 1869, is ST., sos, 1874.
| Calling in Three Per Cents.
| The Secretary Of the Treasury to-day called in
1750 900 OF the three per cent temporary loan,
bracing The following numbers:-s5,Ooo Nos. 5000
10 a4l4 ana 10000 Nos. 319s to 334s. Interest on
the above certificates Will cease March 81, after
which they will be no longer available as portion
OF the lawful money reserve In possession OF any
national banking association.
| Redemption Of fractional Currency.
A correspondent having inquired whether holders
OF fractional currency must present 100 or more
pieces OF any denomination OF fractional currency
the Assistant Treasurer and repositories in order
to OBTAIN the redemption thereof. or whether the
same win be exchanged for United States notes In
| sums OF 50 and upwards in accordance with the
terms printed the backs OF the notes, the Treas
| urpr renl fhpf Aal IRE IN
postories must receive and redeem such currency
| In accordance with the terms printed thereon,
| whether 100 pieces presented not: but that
when the size OF the deposit will admit the currency
| must be assorted by the holders into parcels con.
tanning 100 notes Of each denomination.
| American Newspapers for Instructing the
| English.
Sir Edward Thornton has been applied to from
home obtain copies Of every newspaper periodical
| and magazine published In the United States, to be
placed on exhibition at the International EXPOSE
| ton to take place in England this year. Minister
| Thornton yesterday called on Mr. Joseph Shilling
ton bookseller and news agent OF this city. ana re.
questcd him to take the matter in hand, which Mr..
Shillington has consented to do Publishers there
FORE who desire to avail themselves OF the opportu-
| nifty to be represented at the English exhibition
| will ADDRESS a copy OF their publications, of some
| date In February, to Joseph Shilling ton, news
agent washington, D. c. On their arrival here
the publications will be arranged by States and sent
to England. 1t will be remembered that collection
| OF American newspapers ana periodicals excited
much interest at the English exhibuon in 1851, but
1t was far from comp ete. and 1t is desirable that
| this collection shall be as perfect as possible.
Reception by Secretary DeIano.
| The second and last card reception by Secretary
and Mrs. Delano took place this evening. Four or
five hundred persons were present. including for
egn diplomats Cabinet officers, Senators and Rep.
resentauves. 1t was one OF the most brilliant re.
ceptions OF the season.
| Minors in the Army.
The Secretary Of War mas informed the House