New-York tribune., 1873-07-25
W1SHINGTON.
KU-KLUx PROSECUTIONS TO DE ABANDONED.

KU-KLUX PROSECUTIONS TO DE ABANDONED.
WASHINGTON. Thursday, July p, 1879.
delegation Of prominent South Carollnians, headed
by the Hon. W. D. Porter, Gen. j. b. Kershaw, ana j.
NJ Sims, had an interview with Attorney General VIII
Iiams this morning. and urged that a further prosecu
tion Of the Ku-Klux offenders in the South be dscon
tnucd as that organization was broken up, and the
cessation OF the prosecutions would have a cOnciat0ry
effect upon all classes In that section They also urged
that those convicted and serving out terms OF sen
tence be pardoned. The Attorney-Geueral, in reply.
said instructions had already been issued to stop the
prosecutions against Ku-Kux odeAdels except ia very
aggravated cases, and some Of those convicted had
already been pardoned II was the policy Of tue Pres
dent to pardon them all keeping the most aggravated
cases, however, until the last.
THE MEXICAN COMMISSION RE-ESTABISIED.
The ratification Of the treaty for the extension OF the
duration OF the Joint Commission for the settlement OF
the claims between the United States and Mexico have
been exchanged. The new Mexican Commissioner has
arrived here and Mr. WadswOrth the American Com
missioner has been telegraphed by the Secretary or
state to return to Washiu gOn. The business OF the
Commission will therefore soon be resumed
PROGRESS OF THE COMMITTED OK TRANSPORTATION.
Senator Window. Chairman Of the Senate Committee
Transportation has just completed extensive tour
embracing New-York, Albany Troy, Boston, Montreal
OswegO Buffalo, Chicago, and Milwaukee, for the pur-
pose OF obtaining Information in regard the
transportation routes and other subjects cernane to The
duties Of his Committee. AT all points every possible
facility was offered him, aud deep interest was mani
information already been obtained. Senator Window
is now pursuing the subject at the West aud expects %
weeks by which time ne win be aUle 20 decide the
time calling the Committee together, aud also 10
name the points which II Is desirable LtV Tue COuttcc
should visit.
THE CONYOYING OF THE VTRGINIUS APPROYED-THE
LAW OF THE CASE.
The course OF Commander Reed OF the U. g. steamer
Kansas in conveying the Virginus out Of AspnBall
meets with general official appreciation. They say the
fact that the Virgnius landed men and arms on the
Island Of aid the causo Of the insurgents does
not subject her to being mOlested in neutral port By
Spanish gunboat. So far the state OF war on the
Island OF Cuba Is concerned our Government has no
official information Of the fact the rights of begcrents
not being accorded 10 the insurgents by the United
States The oense OK the vessel therefore, only be
considered ~ smuggling, ana 10 Dt pui'ded lof VI Dy
Spauards. sue mast be- caught IN the ACT otherWse
they dare mOlest her. Our own Government II Il
true, upon receiVshg d1e lhIOrlhaOn lnt Tue
was engaged IN smuggling arms or men Tor the CUBAN
insurgents would take prompt measures TO prevent It's
repetition, as IN the ease Oh the KesOlue an aeed Cu
ban priyacer. vessel in foreign port with her pa
per5 correct entitled to the protection Of the nation
under whose cOors sue sans dnu IueelOi %9
Reed could have acted otherwise than he d1 When
tie Yrguius lay the port OF Colon, April %, 1872,
nearly ready tOI sea, ana the Spahulsl u@hOI"dt ~
zlrrO was watching her. aud the Spanish commander
was believed To have orders 10 det4u the NIgluuS IN
that port or capture her IN case OF departure our Minis
ter Colombia, Mr.. HurlDut in letter 10 the eom
maudcr or tho Kansas, VINO escorted inc lI-luus 70
40 that time. said the Only tangible matter caplDc
proof appeared be tnat she the blockade Ot cuba
wituau armed party Ot Cuban reyOluCous, aud cargo
munitions ceedinC from port In Venezuela and
making landing in the eastern department OF CUBA.
This during the year before The law, As he under
stood IT, was although tue ship during sucl voyage was
liable 10 capture, ana could not and would not be re-
claimed by Untcd states, such liability ceased when
the unlawful voyage had been completed, and that no
taint attached To the ship which would in any way
Justify fOrcble seizure and detention DySpanlsh cruisers
lie ld not admit Oense against the neutral
NV laws uf the United States charter steamer for
me purpose named from Venezuela 10 Cuba. IL GER
tainlv was not an ofnse for which Spain entitled
70 capture except IN the act, nor was an
American vessel be fOrcbly detained IN neutral
friendly waters upon any suspicion when she was
ready for Cleared N proper form, she was entitled
10 the protection the Navy insult force Min
iser urOut copy OF this letter to the secretary
Ol STATE, who dld not dissent from those views.