The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-24

- S4S8888V1 VxNa
WASHINGTON, April 25 1873
The Case OF Phelps, Dodge & Co. ana
the Treasury Department..
The Treasury Department Is preparing for publ
cation all the correspondence in the case OF Phelps
Dodge and Co., for the purpose OF joining ISSUE
with the nrm and refuting their published state
ment OF innocence OF fraud on the revenue The
Treasury ofi1cers are not unanimous however, In
sustaining the late assertion OF exSecretary Bout
well that the compromise ITSELF which the nrm
effected, was an evidence OF guilt, because inn0-
cent violations OF the law were not compromised
but forgiven. There are those In the Department
who think that Mr.. Boutwell, may have been
mlsled into accepting forms as facts. II Ia
true that no compromise can be effected without
confession OF guilt but II the Congressional investi
cation. to which the matter Is likely to lead should
be had 1t will probably appear that such confessions
has been made under duress In many more cases
than one. BY adroit manipulation OF the various
laws applicable to the subject the swarm OF federal
officers at New York, or at any other large port.
aSe 70 work the virtual ruin Of the business OF
large and reputable house by arbitrary seizure OF
books, papers and goods In store, while the laws
delays intervene to prevent the recovery OF name
and trade. The bare knowledge OF this
ability Is believed to be sufficient to
compel nine out of every ten business
houses who fall under the suspicion OF the officials
to settle on the best terms obtainabe. indepen-
dent OF the questions OF guilt and proof Of guilt.
The immediate concern OF the government officers
Is to realize Immediately upon their respective
shares, OF Whatever sum Is exacted; hence IL II
necessary to obtain pro fo,,na admission Of cupa-
biltty as condition precedent to waiver by the
accused OF all rights OF action for the recovery Of
the sum paid the government. In case OF nesitancy
to confess guilt the formalty OF transaction
Is first pointed out and that falling, the terrOrs OF
the arbitrary processes OF seizure and detention,
and those, but preliminary though prolonged, are
invoked and seldom in vain. The whole system Ia
known at the Treasury to be demoralizing, as was
admitted OF the same system In the internal rev.
service before Its adjustment. Its practical
illustration Is found in the case OF Judge Noah
Davis, who, as United States District Attorney
was stimulated by the expectation OF his moiety to
pursue the firm OF Phelps, Dodge Co. till the
compromise money was paid. and who now,
upon his judicial conscience, acquits them Of
any intentional, and therefore culpable offences
against the revenue. 1t Is not admitted. however.
that the Treasury administration Is to blame, the
law being responsible altogether. There have been
similar evils detected In the working OF the naval
prize laws.
Tho Board OF Supervising Steamboat
inspectors
have nearly completed the revision OF the rules,
the object being to deprive them Of all ambiguity.
The inspectors now require the manufacturers and
agents OF regulating steam gauges to guarantee
them for one year. Provisions for life-preservers
remain the same as now, and the regu-
lations as to lfe-boats are rendered more
practical and in accordance with the
spirit OF the law The Board have also recon-
mended certain new inventions. but do not compel
steamboat owners to adopt them. The Board are
fully impressed with the Importance OF the selec-
ton OF competent and reliable men as engineers,
pilots and others connected with steamboats,, and
will, more than heretofore, insist on thorough ex-
aminatiOns before the granting OF licenses. The
Board viii adjourn sine die tomorrow.
The Coinage at tho Mint-Picbald Re.
publics Asking to Have Money Coined.
The Director OF the Mint DR.. Linderman, has
axed the charge for coning the new trade dollar
at one-half cent per piece, which Is the lowest
possible rate under the law Great expectations
are entertained OF the trade dollar as o means Of
creating home demand for parting bullion and
keeping gold in the country. Owing to the In
security OF the present mint building in san
Francisco, all refining Of silver bullion In that
city will, until the completion OF the new build
ing, be done by the San Francisco refining
works, on the tarin agreed on between them
and the government, but at q cost to the deposit
OF three cents per ounce less than heretofore
charged. New and improved coinage machinery
will be shipped overland by the LIST OF next July.
DR.. Lnderman says vigorous efforts will be made to
nut the new san Francisco Mint In operation WILL
In twelve months.
the Republics OF Hayti. Ecuador and another
South American Republic are anxious that their
coinage shall be executed by the United States but
as there Is no law which will permit this to be done,
1t is probable that Congress win authorize such
think that this would be to great extent bene-
fetal to United States, especially In the matter
OF commercial exchanges.
The Revision OF tho Laws.
The Joint Committee on the Revision OF the
Laws, who have been in session here since last
Monday, will adjourn this week. Their purpose il
to make some provision for indexing the statutes
already codiled and to facilitate the completion OF
Treasury Balances.
The following were the Treasury balances at the
close OF business to-day
Special deposit OF legal tenders for the
redemption OF certificates OF deposit. 27.s5s 600
Including coin certiicates ............. 257ll2oo
Legal tenders outstanding. .357S01,220
New Gold Bank In California.
The Comptroller OF the Currency has granted
permission for the organization OF q new gold bank
at Santa Barbara, Cal, as soon as the stockholders
shall have deposited United States bonds to the
extent of one-third OF the capital, as required by
law The capital stock Ia fixed at 100000 The
officers are :-Mortmer Cook, President owning
$50 out OF the 1000 shares), and A. L. Lincoln,
Cashier.
To Movers ON the First OF May.-Before
saSss
Pepper every crevce.
A.-Not One style for all Heads, but
Dress HATS for all men at EsNpENscMEiDs manufse-