The New York herald., 1879-12-13
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, Dec. II. 1879.
FRAUDULENT PENSION cLAIM-A WOMAN IN
DIcTED FOR FORGERY.
District Attorney Woodford. OF New York, to-day
transmitted to District Attorney H. H. wells Of this
city, an exemplifed copy Of an indictment against
Harriet N. Kingsbury. charging her with forgery
and tho presentation Of an affidavit in support Of
pension claim against the United States. She
represented herself being the widow Of Major
Henry Kingsbury. Of Now York city. who died
from the effect Of wound received in the late
war whilo serving in Now York regiment. In sup
porting this claim she produced an affidavit. to
which she forged the namo of Evadna Brady aud
made oath to being that person. The deposition set
forth that Mrs. Harriet N. Kingsbury was the aunt
Of the deponent and was known bv the latter to be
the true and lawful widow of Major Kingsbury The
woman is now under surveillance at the lafayette
House, and will be taken into custody in the morn
ing and sent to New York to answer the indictment
OF IMPORTERS AND REFINERs.
Representative Morton. Of New York, presented in
the House to-day the following memorial of leading
importers and reners of New York and Philade phia
regarding the sugar tariff
To THE HONORABLE SENATE AND House OF REPRE-.
sKNrATIvEs OF THE UNITED STATES IN CoNaREss
AssEMDLED:--
in sugar. do most respectfully represent to your
honorable bodies:-
refining and distributing OF sugar III this country,
involving about $l50.O000o0 annually. has been for
the past three years, and is now, by of tho
present tariff and the constant agitation OF change
OF the same, seriously deranged and embarrassed.
Second-rhat disrcgardng tho law which pre-
scribes the Dutch standard Of color the basis
dutiabe value the officials of the Treasury Depart
ment in Of the ports arbitrarily fixing rates
OF duty another and totally different basis,
thereby endangering all business transactions in
foreign sugars and already involving large amounts
which have been paid by the importers under pro-
test.
TAird-That the before mentioned condition of
business together with the declarations OF the Sec
rotary the Treasury OF great losses to tho revenue
demands revision of the sugar tariff by Congress at
the earliest practicable moment. for which your pc
titioners do most earnestly pray.
Fourn-Your petitioners also desire most respect
fully, but emphaticslly. to protest against the
measure introduced into the last Congress III which
it was proposed that the Treasury Department
should attempt by some means to establish the per-
centage Of crystallizable sugar as basis of duties.
inasmuch AZ such a measure is imprac ticable and
unsafe for the government: leading inevitably to
serious controversies between merchants and tho
Treasury, while 1t also puts into the hands OF sub
ordinate officials increased facilities for that favori
ism and unfair discrimination which is n principal
tariff.
FyflA-Your petitioners most respectfully urgo
upon your honorable bodies consideration Of the re-
port OF the Judiciary Committee of the House OF
Representatives In 1875 on tariff laws. wherein they
say;E - ,,. .,.. ,,
into the Treasury SO large part of the money
which constitutes the pecuniary OF the
tion entitled to be clearly aud distinctly told
what rates of duty will be exacted from them that
undue disturbance of their business transactions
should be made by unexpected Treasury exactions.'
StrN-We heartily agree with the recommenda-
ton OF the Secretary OF the Treasury in his annual
reports of 1877 and 1878. which is entirely in har-
mony with the above report OF the Judiciary Com
mittoe, and in which we believe he points out the
only practical sensible and safe remedy for the DIFF
fculties complained OF. insurng to the govern ment
the honest collection of the revenue and the mer
chants and others engaged iu commerce In this
greal staple safe basis for business transactions
The secretary's report of 1873 is "a follows:--
II IL imperative that some change in the mode of
collecting duties sugar should be had, and IL Is
preferred stated in the last report that the duty
should be at rate on all grades of sugar up to
point which will exclude temptation either to color
sugar for the purpose OF reducing tho duty or to
commit fraud by means of samping and classihca-
ton The duties are to " large extent depend
ent upon the fidelity of the sampler. of the low
est paid officers in tho public service.
THE LOADING OF FOREIGN SHIPS.
Congressman Wait, OF Connecticut, who originally
introduced the joint resolution allowing foreign
ships to unload at ports of delivery we'll ports
of entry. says that when the bill discussed be-
fore the Committee on Commerce. OF which he is
member, IL was proposed to give the Secretary of