The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-05
WASHING TON.
WASHINGTON. June T. 1654
The Presidents Departure for Long
Branch Postponed.

Long Branch until Friday.
Cotton Claims Decisions.
The Court OF Claims to-day rendered decision Oh
general interest and OF very great Importance N
the case OF William A. Haycroft vs. the united
States. which Ia precisely identical in principle and
conditions or fact with the well known Eimira ,.
Kelly case, likewise pending. The Haycrolt suit
was brought on July 80. 1872. for the proceeds OF
certain cotton seized and sold by agents OF tho
United States government The Captured aud
Abandoned Property act limited the time witlls
which suits could be brought for tho proceeds OF
such seizures to August 90 1858. being two years
from the date OF the termination OF the rebellion, a.
fixed by the Presidential proclamation OF August
20, 1885, The Supreme Court decided that tho
amnesty proclamation OF December rs. 1885, re-
lieved all persons the Southern states from oblt
cation to prove their loyalty In the Court Of
Claims. and Haycroft, in Ming his claim In 1917
contended that, In consequence OF said amnesty
proclamation and the decision OF the Supreme Court.
disOyal cotton claimants like himself had right
to commence their suits at any time within sig
years after the date OF the proclamation OF Dece-
Der 25. 1863 under the general statute OF nmitar
lions applicable to suits brought IN this Court for
the reason that he had no standing In the Court
prior to the issuance OF said amnesty proclamar
ton, and that his Of action occurred at that
date. although his property was taken in 1885, Tho
ground that all suits for cotton required to be
brought within the two years. limitation OF the
Captured aud Abandoned Property act.
Messrs. BARLEY and Casey, counsel for the claim
ant, demurred, and the Court to-day overruled tne
demurrer and sustained the plea OF Jurisdiction.
Counsel for the claimant then appealed TO the Su-
preme Court. This decision, II sustained by the
Supreme Court will bar and exclude claims against
the government for the proceeds Of cotton to the
amount Of about fifteen million dollars.
In the case OF Charles Hill an alien and sub
ect OF Great Britain claiming the proceeds OF GER
tain cotton captured from his factors by the United
States military forces Hill having resided in Eng
land during the entire period OF the rebellion the
Court decided that the presumption In favor
Of his having preserved his neutrality II
not overthrown by the proof OF the mere fact that
he was interested in and subscribed money to Ger
tain adventures for running the blockade. These
adventures the Court say, may never have been
put aoat, or, II they were may never have reached
the seat Of the blockade.
1t is therefore held to be necessary to show NOT
only the purpose to give aid and comfort to the
rebels but the fact that the aid and comfort were
given. This fact not being proved Judgment
is given for claimant.
In the case OF Warren r. Dent the court decided
that proportion Of the proceeds Of captured
could not now be recovered from the United
States, this decision being based upon tho
general principle Of the statute that
claimants can recover no more than the net pro-
ceeds PAD Into the United States Treasury.
An important decision was also rendered In the
case Of Walter D. Spratt, Of Mississippi, to tho
effect that claimants who purchased cotton from
agents Of the Confederate government, knowing at
the time that the proceeds were TO be used in the
prosecution OF war against the federal govern
ment, acquired no title to their purchases,
and, therefore, have no right OF action against
the United States for subsequent capture and
sale Of such cotton. This decision governs and ex-
cludes claims to the amount OF about So 000 An
appeal was taken to the Supreme Court, which made
an order referring what are known as the Vicksburg
cotton cases. involving the proceeds OF some 1900
bales, to Eben Evelith, Of Washington city, az
Special Commissioner, to disentangle the cOmpu-
Gated questions OF ownership &C., and report to
the next term, and then adjourned till the third
Monday Of next October
The White star Line and the Mail Cone
tract.
The contest between the White Star, Bremen and
Imam lines for carrying the New York mails will
be heard tomorrow. Edwards Plerrep0nt ap-
pears for the White Star line. This company ad-
mits that it cannot fulfil its contracts and will DO
thought that Mr. Pierreponts influence in this case
will be more successful than 1t was in behalf OF tho
Pacific Mail Steamship Company.
Modified Civil Service Rules.
The Advisory Board Of the Civil Service met the
President and Cabinet to-day by invitation ana
submitted their report, maturely considered. pro-
posing modification OF some Of the present rules
and adding several new ones. These improve
ments are designed to make the civil service moro
en1cient, being based on strict adherence to it's
principles, and will aid in remedying such defects
as experience has shown to exist. One OF the mod.
incatons will serve to facilitate the nllng OF vaean.
cles by the prompt examination Of applicants. It
is understood that the Board has given careful
consideration to the subject OF securing equable
distribution or ONCE as regards locality. The
views OF the Cabinet 50 far as expressed, are in
accord with those of the Board. The modified
rules will not be promulgated by the President
until after the next meeting Of the Cabinet.
The Postal Card Trouble.
The Postmaster General Is dissatisfied with she
Morgan Envelope Company's execution OF the
postal card contract. The experts and Depart
ment detectives are still employed In investigating
the matter. Complaints from all parts OF the
country are daily received that the material OF tho
card is bad that 1t cannot be written upon with
ink that press copies cannot be taken, and such
complaints generally. The contractors have the
Department at disadvantage, because the con-
tract cannot be transferred without at least two
months delay. The demand is constantly increas-
ing, while the complaints keep pace. Mr.. Cresswsn
says the cards shall be acceptable to the public, or
the work discontinued.
Important Appointment I'm Alabama.
private despatch from Montgomery, Ala, says
that Governor Lewis, republican, has appointed
Robert c. Brickell, democrat, Chief Justice of the
Supreme court OF that State, vice Peck, resigned.
Special Tax ON Retatled Cigars.
The Commissioner OF Internal Revenue decides
that retailers OF cigars railroad trains must pay
the special tax Of IS.