Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-25

OF tNe Government ~ CO9lSNtS ~ China /
and japan.
John 8. Mostly, the United States Consul
General at Hong Kong, China, has officially |
notified the state department of the corrupt
practices Of Minister Seward and others, in
the following letter:
"HoNa Kong, Feb. 20, 1879.
"HoN. F. w. SEWARD, Assistant, &c-Sir:
desire to call the attention of the depart
ment to question of interest both to myself
and the government. An act of Congress,
passed in 1862, required all vessels carrying
Chinese emigrants to the United States to
have the certificate of the United States
consul residing at the port of departure to
the effect of their voluntary emigration. All
of the Chinese emigrants 60 from this port,
and, suppose, have gone with the necessary
certificates ever since the enactment eff the
law.
"On examination of the records of this
consulate can find no credit to the govern
ment for any fees collected on this account
previous to the fourth quarter of 1871, al-
though, as am informed by those who
know, fees have always been charged for
this service. Since 1871, in every quarterly
statement, there is credit for the amount
of emigration fees collected, and charge
for the expense as per voucher for collecting
them. BY strange coincidence the debit
Tor expenses always balances the credit for
collection, so that the government got moth
ing. Inc total amount OF these fees, as ap-
pears by the record since 1871, is 3D.
345.75.
"The late vice-consul in charge, Mr.. Lor-
ing, informed me that no record was kept of
fees for certificates for Chinese emigrants
pOinp IN the Tinted States IN vosaolo corrx,
ing foreign flags, but that those fees were
regarded as unofficial, and retained as the
perquisites of the consul. There is line of
steamers, the Oriental and Occidental COM
pany, carrying the British flag, that has been
running regularly between Hong Kong and
San Francisco. As this company runs three
large steamers, and the Pacific Mail compa-
ny only runs two, it may readily be inferred
that the Oriental and Occidental line, and
DINER 1orelgn vessels nave carried as manv
emlgrants as the otner.
II may 90 eetlmatod, therefore,, that With
IN Tue Aast elgnG years over $5U,OOO nave
oeen conected mere IN emigration fees, or
sum aDout equal 70 tne consular ices Tor
that period. would like very much to be
allowed to retain these ices II 1t can proper
~ by done; but do not feel justified in ap-
propriating them in the absence of instruc-
tions from the department.. No fees from
this source have ever, believe, heen turned
into the treasury, but all have either been
retained by the consul or consumed in the
expense of examination of emigrants. I
do not propose to charge the government
anything for the expenses of examination,
tor see no good reason why there should
be any, and expect to do this work in per-
son: Ibis duty, learn, has hitherto been
performed by one Peter smith, whose re-
celpts constituted the vouchers to the lex
pense' account.
"The following is brief history of the
ceremony Of examination: On the day be-
fore a vessel was to leave with the Chinese
emigrants, no matter whether American or
foreign, the United States Consul was in
formed that at q certain hour the passengers
would be ready for examination. A. the APP
pointed time Peter Smith appeared with the
Consular seal. The passengers collected on
deck and passed in review before HIM, each
being asked if he was voluntary emigrant.
If he said that he was his ticket was stamped
with the Consu ar seal. 1t would take on
an average about one hours to complete the
investigation. This is the whole proceed
ing, the government being charged also
with the expense OF boat hire, in addition to
the amount for which Peter Smith has re-
celpted.
FROM az nave learned, nave no doubt
that Peter Smith has only played the part
of John Doe and Richard Roe in the pro-
ceeding. The nominal sum covered by his
roNoivko ia on ohcn,11u ont <,f -
the time ba was amnioved and the vaIna ~
the services he rendered, or was capable of
rendering. IA to exclude anv other conclnsion.
HI ;s o., ;l,;4aro+o l,ao,,o, - : ,o;,,, L-,,.a