The New York herald., 1879-02-13


treaty with the Republic Of Mexico. having had the
same under consideration. report
The general subjects of said resolution were dis
cussed By the sad committee during the last session
OF Congress, as will be by reference to House OF
Representatives report No. 50l Forty-fth Congress
The Republic of Mexico and the United States are
divided by almost imaginary lines. These lines OF
boundary extend over many miles: each is rich in
products needed by the other both have republican
forms of government. Intimate commercial rela-
tions necessarily bring about intimate socar rea-
tons. and the mixing and intercourse OF the peoples
of the two governments in trade and otherwise VIII
add to the bond OF friendship and emity
which should exist between the two republics.
commercial convention, or meeting. has but re-
Gently been held in the city of Mexico attenued by
great many American merchants and men OF busi-
ness, and every evidence was given by the Mexican
government and people of their friendship for our
people and government and their desire to extend
their trade with
Your committee refer to the evidence Of Major u.
+. Ely and General Marcus J. Wright. accompanying
this report aud referred to as part thereof This
evidence contains information. statistical and othor
wise. which will be OF interest and value.
In the opinion Of your COMMITTEES the resolution
referred to them is too limited in its scope as 1t does
not set forth all OF the subjects upon which, in the
opinion of your committed. treaty should be made
They therefore, report back said resolution with the
recommendation that il do not pass hut ns sunsti
tute therefor they report the following preambles
and resolution. which they recommend shall pass:-
Whereas it is the desire and wish of the govern
ment and people OF the United States Of America to
maintain the most amicable relations with the Re-
public OF Mexico as exemplifed and forth by the
twenty first and weny second articles of the Treaty
OF Ciuadaloupe OF February 22. ls4S. and reafrmed
by article OF the Gadsden treaty OF December IL.
1858;
And whereas it is believed to be manifestly the
interests of people Of both to extend
and increase by all proper means the exchange OF
commercial relations between the people OF the two
governments;
And whereas many citizens of tho United States
have invested their capital, and others desrous
OF investing in the republic of Mexico, i'll mining.
the construction of railroads, banking. farming.
cir and prar c1au
prises And in this view, with the purpose OF in
creasing said investments which are believed to be
mutually beneficial to tie people of both govern
ments. treaty is deemed necessary.
And whereas the territory known as the FREQ
Zone, on the Mexican border, has been the source
from which violations OF treaty stipulations, avoid
tariff duties and other Irregularities have
proceeded. and to maintain proper commercial and
friendly relations between the two countries this
Free Zone,' or sona iibre." shall be abolished;
And whereas the present exradition treaty between
the two countries has proved inadequate for the
purposes for which it made and entered into.
and with view to the prompt rendition and punish
mcrt of fugitlves from justice. further and more
stringent treaty spuations in this regard are neces
sary;
And whereas experience has demonstrated that
long delay in the settlement of disputed questions
simply adds to the difficulty OF this Just and proper
settlement, and 1t is evidently to the interests Of
both governments that for the prompt settlement OF
all grievances, claims and demands OF the peoples OF
either government against those of the other they
should be adjudcated and determined by
court OF arbitration or other tribunal. to be
may be agreed upon and shall have continuous ex-
istence for period Of ten years or more and to be
subject at all times to sit and determine prop
erly before it on the demand either government;
Andl whereas citizens of either government resid-
ing in the other should be exempted from forced
loans and illegal and onerous taxation or exactions.
therefore be it uaasb.
Resolved by the Senate and House or Representa-
tivcs os the United States of America in Congress
assembled. that the president Of the United States
be and he is hereby requested to open
diplomatic correspondence with the government Of
~f i,f,
further treaty negotiations with said government for
tho purposes indicated in the foregoing preamble
and such other purposes as IN his discretion he may
this object can be best accomplished by the
appointment OF commissioners that he be requested
to appoiut such commissioners and that the compen
satiOn of said commissioners, II appointed by the
President. be fixed by the Secretary of State and paid
out Of any moneys not otherwise appropriated from
the Treasury of the United States.
PERSONAL TAX IN THE DISTRICT or COLUMBIA
Mr., ATTORNEY RIDDLES CONSTRUCTION OF
ani THE LAW.
Mr.. A. G. Riddle. Attorney for the District of
Columbia, to whom the Commissioners yesterday re-
ferred the letter from General B. f. Butler declining
to pay his personal tax, has prepared opinion on
the subject which lie will tomorrow submit to the
District Commissioners. In this opinion he says:-
This has reference to that large and i'm
poriant class of property owners-Senators,
mombcrs Of the Cabinet and OF the House,
and others filling important public places. and
increasing number of wealthy persons
sojourners at the capital The law is furnished by
Congress; Its construction is left to the District
commissioners. II niisapprrhended it may be re-
vised by the law officers of the United States de-
tcrlnhcd by declaratory act resolution of the
two houses: For the time being nearly tho whoio
persona of ali the great departments Of the govern
meiit the subjects of the District of Columbia
and such authority as hero exists and share largely
forts and inconveniences. 1t is within the
province of the two houses to define by
law the exact relations OF the persona of
their members. and of all funconaries to municipal
authorities they pleased to set up here Until
that is done they to be recognized and governed
all other sojourners of the foreign legations.
The act OF March 5. 1877. and the aInendatory act
of April 1875 form the present Tax law of the Dis
trict. This provides for the evying upon all real
and property 81 50 for each 500 of nssessed
vaiue. 1t declares that all the property. real
and personal. in the District. not owned by
the United States, shall he taxed, 10 matter
who the owners are or where they reside It's stua-
.ton alone determines its liability As general rule
personal properly is taxable at the house of the
owner under the principle that its possession fol-
lows his person. II. however, the property IL per-
manently out of the OF his domicie 1t cannot
be taxed there. All personal property be taxed
in the State or Jurisdiction where II is. who
keeps q residence here, the furniture of which
sfantly remains in the house. like itself may be taxed
here. though the owner may have bis residence else
where. II his furniture comes and goes with him
the rule would be otherwise. Moneys, securities and
credits. l think. only be taxed in the home
State. and clearly property should be taxed in
two States for the same tiic by the act OF April g.
1873. the provisions that there shall be levied
upon all personal property within the District not
taxed elsewhere but owned by persons temporarily
residing in the District a tax of 81 80 each 500
OF the assessed value thereof This 1 contend is the
text OF the present law which rests the sub
iect matter. 1t is the object of all general
tax laws to reach os widely they
may. compelling all Of property to contribute
to the burdens of government. My construction liz
that s not the purpose Of tho law TO subject prop
crty 20 taxation here upon which the owners pay q
tax elsewhere, yet to nascss property under IL
which Is here for temporary purpose though not
taxed elsewhere.
Mr.. Riddle concludes by calling attention to the
fact that other Congressman have made similar re-
fusal to the demands made on them by the Commits
sioners, and ssrcastically says these Congressman
who make the law have 1t in their TO change II
anti il,crx.lvce Tbev fl,c In uralera a,l