The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-03-07

WASHINGTON.
The Discussion Of the sIoie.v svstem

The Discussion of the Moieiy System.
WASHINGTON, March 6.-Mr Hyde of the
Boston Board of Trade, finished his addtess
before the Ways and Means Committee to-day
on the subject of the moiety saytem, arguing
that forfeitures shall be made within two years
limiting forfeitures to packages not invoices.
and that payment of duties shonld be conclu-
sve.
A. n. Rice also made an address, in which
he said the statements already made were
enough tn condemn the present infamous sys-
tenn of moieties and seizures of books. The
business of merchants was paralyzed by such
proceedings as have been inflicted by JAYNE.
They ask congress to relieve them Of such op-
preston.
John w. Gambler of Boston, said the mer-
chants and business men of that city consider
ed these laws unjust, infamous and unworthy
of any country. He gave instances of outrages
by spies and infOrmers. He did not think
merchants have as good a chance with the
treasury Department as spies and infOrmers.
If this system of moieties continues trade will
be driven into the hands of foreigners.
w. 81. Spaulding of Boston, asked that the
law be SO modified that honest merchants can
do business
Pension Agents.
The Secretary of the Treasury has been di-
rected by the House to furnish information as
to pension agents, number of pensioners paid
by each, with cost, ETC., prior to and since the
war.
Action against a Filibusteriag Ste amer.
1t is probable that the Secretary of the Treas
ury will order a libel of the steamer General
Sherman for violation of the neutrality act in
having been employed in waging war against
friendly power
The District Investigation.
The Joint Senate and House Committee in
vestigating the District of Columbia affair had
long session to-day, at which they coptinned
the examination of tine Comptroller of the Dis
trict. They also examined Governor Shep.
herd, the Tax Collectors and Superintendent OF
the Public Schools, in regard to the past and
present condition of the school fund
Treasury Balances.
The following are the Treasury balances to-
daycCurrency, $3,109,662; special deposit OF
legal tenders for redemption of certificates of
deposit, $50 $4,000; coin, $S4 216 927, including
coin certificates 4093O, 200; outstanding legal
tenders. 1882, 100000.
The internal revenue receipts to-day were
$22S,5OO.
Pension Commissioners.
Charges were formally presented in the
House to-day by the Speaker affecting the
official and personal character of Gen. Baker,
Commissioner of Pensions, preferred by Mrs;
with view of impeachment. They were re
ferred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.
Confirmed.
The Senate confirmed E. d. Small Supervisor
of Internal Revenue, vice VIM. A. Simmons
resigned.
More About the Sanborn Case.
Additional papers in the Sanborn case were
submitted to the House to-day, including let
ter from the Secretary of the Treasury, March
8, enclosing a pumber of papers previously
omitted, which expresses regret at the omission
which was unintentional and owing to the di
versified character of the papers copied in thu
irregular manner in which the original schedule
and names submitted to the Department were
prepared, and the fact that some of the papers
Were scattered in the course of business through
three or four different offices, and were COPIED