The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-02
GENERAL WASHINGTON DssPkTcHtS.

WASHINGTON, May !, 1878.
BINARY FINANCIAL OPERATIONS on THE PART
or Mr.. sEwARD-ExroRTIoNATE FEES AT
EUROPEAN coNsULATEs
The Co mittee on Expcnd In the state Depart.
ment devoted between three four to-day 10
tho investigation OF the management oil the Shanghai
Consulate General By George Y. Seward. The post
office branch OF his consulate came particularly
under review, his quarterly accounts and voucn-
ers from 1868 TO 1877 being produced by en-
ployes Of the Post ONCE Department and the Sixth
AUDITORS Office The vouchers produced show that no
was In the habit or charging upon all disbursements
i've per cent difference between Mexican dollars and
soia and from to sixteen per cent between gold
and currency, adding about eighteen per cent on all
disbursements made by him. II was also shown that
tho amount deposited TO tho credit OF the Post Ohcc
Department during that period was in excess $50 GOO
Ihis amount was received In Mexican silver dol
lars, but paid to the government IN
currency, whereby Mr.. Seward realized $4,000
on these deposits. When the department
discovered. some time In 1873. that MI. Seward
gave the government credit Tor the difference be-
tween Mexican dollars received and currency, tho de-
partment directed him render account showing tho
amount OF Mexican dollars IN American gold and cur
rcncy received and the government credit Tor
the difference Mr.. seward did not comply, except IN
two quarters, and then only gave the government
credit the box rent colleced by him. The credits
amounted TO only ABOUT 5000 The whole accounts
preseut a system OF infringement which needs Mr..
Stewards particular attention.
Tho committee also took testimony on the subject
OF cxtortouaie fees at some OF tue European con.
sulatcs. Mr.. James b. Edmonds, an attorney at law,
residing at Iowa Guy. Iowa, TESTIFIED tha, whiie at
hal, m nj IN have
deposition certified which to be used Ia suit In
volving the tile Of small parcel Of land IN Iowa. that
Consul General rorOcrt demanded Toe OF 500 francs
that he (Mr. Edmondsl refused 10 pay II, and that
subsequently the same deposition was forwardcd by
hun TO Dresden, aud the fees OF tue Consul there
amounted only to ten Mares or 81 90 Hc mad re-
Gently mentioned the matter to Mr. Evars, who said
that there was the subject OF such ices; That
tae amount charged a matter OF CUSTOM and that
no account OF them was made to the government.
TARIFF COMM ,ssIoS-pRovIsIoNs OF THE BILL
INTRODUCED DY SENATOR OAKLAND, OF
ARKANsAs.
The bill introduced to-day by Senator Garland pro-
vdcs Tor the creation OF commission, consisting Of
three Senators and three Representatives IT, DO
appointed by the Senate aud The speaker Of tho House
respectively together with three perssns not men,
beers OF either House, TO DO selected ny these six,
which commission Is to take evidence upoE and
iaquirc into the following topics-
Ffrst-Ihc relative effects OF the tarin under the
existing law upon the different industries oil the
country.
Sscoad--rne relative effects OF tue present tarin
upon the cous umer and the producer
7hiri-ihc relative merits OF the specinc and ad
valorem syst ms
Fourth-wha,, " sny. improper determinations
exist un .er tue present laws
Ftfh-Wnat, n any, changes are necessary to be
90 insure wholesome ana judciuus law Oh tho
subject aud 10 secure It's proper euforcomen aud es
pecaily " the Inv cannot he greatly smptihed and
the Inst Of dutnbe articles diminished, aud the law
executed ucn less expense than u Is at present
The Commissioners are, in snort, TO review the
whole tsriG system existing aud report TO
Congress tho result of their examination, together
with sucn suggestions ana recommendations Ms they
deem proper the earliest dny practicable after the
CON m ncement OF the next session.
BANKRUPT cAsts on THE INCREASE.
More bankrupt cases have been entered within the
past lew days than for months previous. There have
been nine already this week. The number includes