The New York herald., 1874-09-18
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Sept. II, 1874

WASHINGTON Sept II, 1874
Spanish Exactfons ON American COM
merce--The Protest OF the baltimore
Merchants
A New England schooner clearing from Baltk
more to q Cuban port applied to tue spanish
Consul for certificate, when a demand was made
for 81, 600 gold, as an impost due under some
recent decree OF the spanish administration. The
demand being resisted the Consul consulted the
Spanish legation, as the result Of which the i'm
post was changed from 81 ou the number Of
packages IN the cargo TO a rate Oh the tonnage OF
the cargo, reducing the amount TO SIS, which was
paid. The Consular receipt for this extraordinary
assessment was promptly forwarded to the Treas
ury Department, accompanied by . joint protest
from the leading merchants In the Cuban trade
and has now gone to the State Department with
rather energetic expression Of doubt as 10 the
right OF foreign government to set up it's custom
houses in our territory and collect its import dues
on goods that have not yet lett the place export
and may never reach their destination.
Instructions to Postmasters Regulating
the Sale OF Stamps aad stamped
Envelopes.
II having come to the knowledge OF the Post
ONCE that certain postmasters have engaged IN
the practice OF canvassIng outside the dehveries
stamps, stamped envelopes, newspaper wrappers
and postal cards, with the object as avowed IA
pOstmaster's salary being based upon the receipts
OF his Ofnce) Of increasing their compensation, IN
many cases such sales being made at a discount,
In express violation OF section 1913 OF the POSTAL
Regulations even goods and articles OF merchan-
disc being in some cases taken in payment,
especially in respect to especial request envelopes"
which are furnished by the department on the
requisition OF any postmaster the Postmaster
General has issued the following order, which will
be sent In a circular to each postmaster
Ffrst-That postmasters be prohibited from
soliciting orders outside OF the deliveries OF their
respective onices for postage stamps, stamped
envelopes, newspaper wrappers or postal cards.
Second-rhat in making sales postmasters adhere
Strictly TO the rates established by the law and
postal regulations
Third-That postmasters be forbidden to use
postage stamps, stamped envelopes, newspaper
wrappers er postal cards as articles OF traffic or
1Or the discharge OF private obligations
F0urct-That no requlsltlon Tor special request
envelopesn be honored by the department unless
the party for whom the envelopes are ordered re-
sides OF Is engaged in business within the delivery
OF the office Of the postmaster making the requi
SitiOn.
Ffrth-That the violation OF any OF the terms OF
this order Will be regarded as good cause for the
removal OF the offender.
Returns of the Department of Agrf-
culture-The Crops Throughout the
Country.
the September returns Of the Depar tment OF
Agriculture indicate an average condition OF 93,
against 95 in September, 1873 The average OF the
crop Is per cent greater than last year, which
would bring the aggregate yield to nearly an
average on last years acreage. All the New Eng.
land and Middle States are above average. ex-
cept Delaware which is full average. All
the Atlantic and Gulf States are below average,
except Alabama, which is 10l. The inland South
ern States are all above average, Arkansas pre-
tivrr
is 12o North OF the Ohio River most of the
counties not visited by the chncn present su-
perior wheat crops. Ohio. Michigan and Indiana
above average. Illinois per cent below. WIS.,
cOnsin is reduced 20 per cent below by drought
and chincnes. West OF the Mississippi drought,
intense heat, hot winds, chnches and grass
noppers have reduced all the States below aver
age, except Missouri. The Pacific States are above
average.
Payment of the District Debt.
1t will be remembered that on the 1st OF last
July the government advanced the money to pay
the interest the bonded debt of the District OF
Columbia, amounting to about $279,ooo. The
Secretary OF the Treasury to-day received from
District Commissioner Ketchum . check for
$137, ,s24, in part payment OF this loan, and the
Balance will be paid in few days.
The Power OF q Head of Department to
Reject Bids.
question having been raised as to whether
head Of q department could reject bids where
reservation was distinctly made when proposals
were invited, If in his opinion the interest OF the
government would be subserved by such rejec-
ton, Postmaster General Jewell has submitted it
to the Attorney General, who decides that such
rejection is wholly within the law. Under this
ruling the Postmaster General declines to inter-
fere with the decision OF his predecessor in reia-
tOn to bids for stamped envelopes aud wrappers,
and the new bids will be opened at twelve O'Clock
n TO- morrow, as per advertisement.
Appointment of Indian Agents.
The President has appointed Benjamin NJ.
Thomas, OF Indiana, Agent for the Pueba Indians
In New Mexico, vice Mr.. Lewis, resigned; ana J.
n. Shaw Agent for the Southern Apache Indians
In the same Territory.