The New York herald., 1874-12-02

with some OF the Oldest ana proudest families
OF New Jersey ana Pennsylvania had five
trunks, which were passed on his declara-
tion that they contained only his personal
effects. The agent, however, suspected dupiicity
and 'snadowedn the trunks. The result was tnas
three out OF the fve were found 10 be intended
for ana were delivered to other partes-one TO
the vile OF wealthy citizen OF New York ana one
each to two ladies in Princeton, N. J. An exam
ination OF the trunks disclosed that they were
properly dutable to the amount OF 1881. Tne
person who brought them over at once onered 70 Z
pay the full amount OF the duty ami the penalty
which was $4,2s
These cases are only given as samples OF mfny
which are being constantly reported. Mr. \. T.
Stewart has stated that in Instances WHICH mad
come 10 his knowledge, where he was being
undersold In certain articles, the articles aiore-
said had been brought in by these so-called
tourists 1t is in fact, established that at some OF
the custom houses regular '.oaggage rings ex-
lists which has tended 70 facilitate She operations
OF these who deiraud the government in this way.
Some time since IL came 10 the knowledge OF the
department that an oral order at one OF the GUS
tom houses forbade the inspectors making any
seizures OF baggage and instructed them 10 make
an examination OF but one trunk In a 10. belong
ing TO any single passenger. On being advised OF
this order it was at once revoked. The attention
ofmembers OF Congress having been directed TO
Tins very important subject 1t can scarcely be
doubted that some action TO correct the gross
abuses whicn prevail will be taken at the ensuing
session. The recommendation OF the Commits
sloner to limit the value OF the baggage OF each
passenger and to require the declaration as to
said value TO be made on oath ia well thought Of
The Quartermaster Generals Report
The Sales of Southern Railroads and
the New Military Telegraph.
The Quartermaster General renews the recon-
mendatlon that an allowance OF $40 per month be
made in addition TO the pay OF every line otficer
who Is detailed by the proper authority for acting
assistant quartermaster of military post when
such detail Is properly reported to and approved
by the War Department. Such an allow
ance ls only just and would relieve the service
from the feeling that heavy duties are imposed by
such detail without any recognition or cempensa-
tion. Such duties are important ana should be
sought by good officers-not imposed on the soth-
fui or unwilling. During the year 3l4 officers OF
the line have reformed duty in the depart
ment as acting assistant quartermasters. The
officers Of the regular establishment OF the Quar-
termaster's Department, all Of whom served
through the late war and have had much expe-
rlence, are stationed at the more important de-
pots and posts. Yet many posts, iDvotying
heavy responsibility in money ana property and
calling for good judgment, integrity and
zeal, occupied by suoalterns or the
line, on duty acting assistant quarter
masters The number OF officers Is now reouced
TO sixy-six, the duties OF whom and their stations
are given. The movement during the year, so far
as reported, was py ra, wagon, stage and vessels,
OF A. 159 persons, 5S35 beasts and 49, 204 tons Of
material. The total movements by Pacific Railroad,
s,523 persons 17Sl beasts and 2,262 459 pounds OF
freight
At the close OF the war there were sold on credit
to various railroad companies, principally in the
South, railroad material to the appraised value OF
$7,556,O34. There remained due and unpaid from
OF these railroads June 80, 1873 s465S s24.
During the fiscal year ending June 80, 1874. In
terest has accrued upon this inae otedEess, and
expenses have been incurred to the amount OF
s9S,479. Payments IN cash. in transportation and
postal earnings have been made to the amount OF
$116,79l On the lst OF July last there remained an
Indebtedness to be collected by the Quartermas-
ter's Department OF $1,S97, 397 not including the
sum OF s43 754 Que from the Mississippi Gainesville
and Tuscaloosa Railroad Company, which is bank
rupt, nor the amount due from the East Tennes-
and Virginia, the East Tennessee ana Georgia,
the Nashville and Chattanooga, and the Nash
vile and Decatur railroads. winch is 81, 699, ,47o
and which compromised under The act Of
March 8, 1871, for the sum OF $1,2 900, and made
payable to the Asslst tanr Treasurer at New York.
The actual decrease OF the debt during the year,
including payments OF accrued interest, but
GLIDING the reduction by compromise under the
law Is s2S 81. Some provision OF law for the col
lection Of the money due and settlement OF the
DEBT is desirable. Suits are in progress against
several railroads on account OF these sales.
During the year the erection OF l40 new build
ings has been authorized. They at military
posts In % States and Territories, with es-
timated cost OF s313, 233. They are barracks or
officers and soldiers, guard houses &C. Two new
four-company posts we're authorized in Arizona
Camp Lowell near Tucson. and Camp Grant. The
Quartermaster General gives details OF operations
In his Department showing the large amount OF
work done during the past year. and says orders
have been given to break up and abandon Camp
Warner, oregon. and Camp Bowie, Arizona. Ex-
perlments are In progress at Jefersonvile to pre-
vent clothing from being destroyed by the moth,
with hopes OF success The Quartermaster Gen.
eral speaks Of the advantages OF the line oil mill
tary telegraph recently constructed through the
distant Territories The expenditures upon the
national military GENE teries during the past year
were $267, ,256 The report ends with statements
OF claims presented and allowed, involving large
sums, and OF those remaining unadjusted.