The New York herald., 1877-03-22
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.


himself to have earned a IRON public service
FROM OUR REGULAR CORResPoN DENT.
WASHINGTON March 81, 1877.
THE NAMES MENTIONED FOR THE LOUISIANA
COMMISSION "A GENERAL DISPOSITION TO DE-
CLINE.
Most Of tho gentlemen whose names arc mentioned
likely constitute the commission to 20 to LOUISE
ana and South Carolina aro absent from Washington.
The exceptions Judge Kenneth Rayner and Senator
David Davis.
Judge Rayner, when waited upon at his residence,
informed tho HERALD representative that he had re-
ccived no notification whatever OF an official nature that
the President had selected him be OF the
mission. This all he could say abou. the matter
Judge Rayner one OF the judges of the recently
dissolved court OF Alabama CLAIMS Commissioners and
is old line whig, the lag OF which party he fought
under IN North Carolina before and up to tho breaking
out Of the war, whom he co-operatcd with ropubl.
cans
or the other gentlemen said be selected or con-
tempated by the President Is believed that on ac-
count of tho delicate duties to be performed their
peculiar positions, several will not accept Unless
Vice President Wheeler has changed his mind during
tho past twenty-four hours, there is good rea.
for saying that no Will decline tho
invitation because 1t is not In tho line
OF his duties and no does not therefore
feel called upon undertake the task He feels be-
sides, that in his position OF presiding officer of the
Senate which body SO closely divided between tho
democrats and republicans, there may be brought
up hereafter some question which would impugn
tho propriety OF his action In having gono upon
such mission. Senator Davis, 1t Is thought, Will
also decline because he will compose OF
the body who may be called to pass upon the question
at ISSUE in regard to the State government. These
objections may also apply 10 others said havo
been selected. Late this afternoon the name OF Roger
A. Pryor. 1t reported, will be substituted for that Of
Mr. Foster Of Ohio because he represents tho
Southern opinion held upon the subject Of tho State
governments IN dispute and will thus complete the
representation OF all parties.
The extrcmo republicans scvcro in their ex.
pressions the other hand, about tho .'deicrrng
policy" by which they characterize the action of
President Hayes in carrying out his treatment of the
Southern question.
Those who here from the States in dispute say
that there Will be armed trouble ,hero within the next
week.
THE SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT TAXES OF THE
DIsTRICT--IMpoITANT DECISION OF THE su-
PREME CoURT--THE CERTIFICATES NOT LIEN
decision was rendered by tho Supreme Court of
the District of Columbia today under which, 1t Is al
legcd tho First National Bank Of New York may poss-
bly, lose largo amount OF money. The sum involved
is varousy estimated. placing It $500 OOO and
others at as high ST. 900 O00 The suit brought
last year by Columbus Alexander. property
owner OF this city, for tho purpose of enjoning
the bank against the sale of his property for
what are known as special Improvement taxes
The litigation grows out Of tho late ring management
this city. When the Territorial form Of government
existence the Legislature of 1871 passed an act
authorizing the Issue Of special improvement ccrtiA.
Gates, making them lion upon tho property. Tncso
certificates wcre negotiated by the late Board OF Pub
lie Works through the First National Bank, tho bunk
becoming, according to tho official reports the owner
at time Of s1,Ul2, 900 worth OF them. They bore
interest at the rate OF ten per cent, and in addition
the bank was allowedtw0 and one.haf per cent com.
mission for discounting them.
The bill charges that the United States government
had reimbursed the Board Of Public Works for all OK.
penditures tho improvements for which tho assess.
ments were made. Tho decision to-day was in favor
OF tho complainant and the injunction made per-
petuaL Judge Macarthur, who delivered the OPINION
In speaking OF the legality Of the Certificate says tho
question OF public policy no longer exists cir
cumstances existing authorize the Court to interfere to
prevent a cloud upon the plaintiffs title. After dis
cussng the act of tho Assembly tho opinion reads:-
The manner of enforcing the payment OF these taxes
provided by tue act was wholly unkn the law of
the District, and therefore In direct violation the
act Of Congress. To that extent therefore, IL Is null
and void as are all tho proceedings under it,"
The remedy pointed out to the bank In tho opinion
Is follows:-
their certificate to tho District SO far as the lot is
concerned, the lien no longer exists To allow the
land to be sold for tax that has collected or
where the public policy of allowing the Government
to collect It's revenue Is not involved, upon void tax
would be 70 cast cloud upon the title TO real estate
which Is tho very case IN which NIL the authorities
agree that tho Chanccry jurisdiction may be invoked
The case will bo appealed to the supreme Court of
the United States, and 1t Is probable that Congress
will be asked to egsate In the matter next session so
remody tho technical defects In tho Law and on.
able tho bank to recover what is due 1t.
THE CHARGES AGAINST ASSISTANT SECRETARY
CoNANT
Assistant Solicitor Robinson, OF the Treasury Depart.
mcnt, engaged to-day In making an examination
into the alleged malicious charges preferred against
Assistant Secretary Conant OF whom some questions
were asked in order to complete tho record. This
was done in compliance with tho directions OF
Secretary Sherman and the wish of Mr. Conaut The
Treasury Department is solicous lest the reports cir
culated may affect tho credit Of government bonds on
ACCOUNT o susP'cohs "rouseu anu wrong Impressions
formed. As soon as the investigation Is over In the
Department full statement will be made
LOOKING FOR HIS REWARD.
Malachi Martin, who figured conspicuously in tho
Presidential dispute as chairman OF the Florida Repub
lican State Executive Committee, has been recon.
mcnded to the Secretary OF the Treasury Tor appoint
Collector OF Internal Revenue for the Distric,
of Florida
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WAsnISGroS, March 21, 1870