The New York herald., 1879-02-03
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES

WASHINGTON. Feb. Q, 1879.
PREVENTION OF YELLOW FEvER-LETTER OF
MRS. ELIZABETH THOMPSON 70 THE SPECIAL
COMMITTEES ON EPIDEMIC DISEASES
Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson has sent the following
letter the prevention of yellow fever
WAsHISGToN d. c.. Feb. 1, 1879.
TO THE COMMITTEES THE SENATE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONGRESS UNITED
STATES UpoN THE SUBJECT or Epidemic DIS
GENrLEMES--The conclusions OF the Board of
Experts authorized by Congress to investigate the
yellow fever epidemic OF 1878" fully Justify my
be derived from the prompt study of the
history Of the late outbreak 1t is with
great confidence that l look forward to the
deliberations OF Congress this subject, and, with
out presuming to offer any suggestions broad
questions Of national and international legislation
anxious to direct special attention to the facts
and recommendations relating to cold practically
our only prophylactic. Science may help at once
mediate action will be taken that. at the earliest pos
sible moment in the ensuing summer, the disnfec-
ton OF ships may be rendered practicable at New
Orleans.
The designs foDa refrieerating steamer by Profess
John Gamgee, OF London. England, far adj
vanced at the Navy Yard. but it will require at
least three months from the date of signing con-
tracts construct this life-savng ship and its
chnery. 1t is to be hoped, therefore, pending the
discussion of larger questions that Congress may, in
its wisdom. see tit to pass such a measure as will
give to this country whatever protection artificial
frost may afford.
The Board Of Experts declare that ''ships are espe
cially dangerous and "reman Of infection
for months after having been infected with the
poisop;' that "yellow fever poison is not able to
withstand influence frost and when exposed to
freezing temperature it is rendered nnocuous and
is probably destroyed" that 'if the apparatus and
experiments now projected for the utilization of
treme cold for this purpose should be found be of
practical application to the dslnfection Of the holds
and other parts OF vessels their would prove
to be % sanitary acquisition of ipestimabe value
The losses to this country by the yellow fever
.'have been variously estimated at sums ranging
comuuted that New Orleans alone Suffered To the
extent Of $15,33j.0OO.
Millions have been spent in ships of war; and
earnestly hope that the opportunity now have Of
testing natures great preventative for yellow fever
cold-may be taken advantage Of with prompttutie
and liberality l remain gentlemen with much
ELIZABETH THOMPSON.
NEW YORK APPoINrMENTs-MR. CoNKIING SAID
TO BE LOSING GROUND.
There have been animated conversations in the
hotels and other places to-day respecting the future
action OF the Senate the New York Custom House
nominations. 1t is reported tonight from demo-
cratic that far support from that party
III the Senate is concerned Mr. Conkng is losing
ground. prominent Southern Senator is said to
have stated that number OF democrats who have
heretofore been thought to hold doubtful positions
to their votes on the pending nominations would
vote for their confirmation.
HITCH IN THE GUARDIANSHIP.
The Potter subcommittee appointed to take testi-
mony in New York did not leave tho city tonight as
was arranged difficulty having arisen with regard to
the chairman. Mr.. Mcmahon, who was appointed to
that post. declares that his duties Mt Washing
ton are such to prevent him leav-
ing at present, so it decided to request
General Hunton to take his place The General
is away at warrcnton, Va, and his reply has not yet
been received. 1t is thought. however. that as he
was member of the Electoral Commission he may
object to take the position of chairman. and it will
then fall upon Mr.. Stenger. who acted chairman Of
the subcommittee that sent to New Orleans In
this Mr.. Blackburn will take the place of Mr..
Mcmahon aud the committee will leave Washington
on Monday evening Tuesday morning
NEGOTIATION OF COMMERCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND
THE PUNISHMENT OF FRAUDS THEREIN-RE-
PORT OF THE HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE
ON MIR. HEwITTs BILL.
Representative Bliss, of New York in behalf of the
Committee on Commerce. has submitted to the House
Of Representatives the following report upon the
bill introduced by Abram :. Hewitt last session TO
facilitate the negotiation of bills of ladng and
other commercial instruments and to punish frauds
.hcrciu;- n..
The bill is the outgrowth of the sentiment Of the
fraud in obtaining advances credit by bills Of
exchange otherwise. on bills of ladng. warehouse
receipts and kindred instruments Is great
to require q remedy. Chambers of commerce and
boards OF trade in various States have taken
% h S 2, Of aw
1875 passed very similar intended confer tho
same benefits within its Jurisdiction. In New York
the FACTORS act. passed in 1880 and amended in
1853 and sG6 attempted the thing but its opera
tion s partial and far from satisfactory The obicc-
tion that the question is one affecting n,erce be-
wee
State enactmens the subject, and IL is every
preferable that Congress should pass an act which
may apply throughout the country. than that
should he left 20 laws by thirycight different States,
all relating to the subject but doubtless discor
dant and perhaps ambiguous. and necessarily limited
20 their own boundaries. number of cases decided
In the courts will illustrate the evils complained Of
The of Dows National Exchange Bank of
Milwaukee. reported in the first volume of Otto's
United States supreme Court reports is in point.
There Dows n Co.. in Now York. cunsignecs Of
cargo of wheat shipped to them by reputable
chants In Oswcgo who sent them the bills OF lading
therefor and drew upon them ON account of an ad-
vance the wheat. Dows Co. paid the advance,
received and offered the wheat for sale all in tho
regular and usual course Of business. But the
wheat was repicvincd by the Milwaukee bank, which
claimed to have made All advance ON 1t there, aLa
had bills of laling tor it to Oswcgo. where 10
transhipped 70 New York; the consirrecs i'm Oswcpo
were smith X Co., selected by the bank it's agents
and ntr,sied with the wheat. Smith n Co. ought to
have sent the wheat to another address. aud not
their duty to the bank smith A. co. sent
il to pows Co. aud drew against it. and they nd
N"uccu upon ~ NOTICE OF any III
favor OF tho bank ItscclDs only Just that the fraud
porpetrated by smith a. Go. should fall upon those
who trusted tho wheat ia their hands who caused to
be delivered to them property having no ear
mark or apparent lien and gave them the to
deceive others But as the law has heretofore stood
the Court l,nd in effect, to decree that bows A CO.
shonld stand this loss instead OF the bank which had
trusted the wheat to Smith 4 co.
The case of the Bank Of Toledo Vs. shaw (61 N ",
30i where u similar fraud was porpetrated upon All
incorporated banking company by means of n ware
house receipt led it's managers TO 20 out OF business
and wind 1t up rs they Thought there was too great
insecurity in making advances to warrant its contin
uancc
The case of Hentz VS.. steamer Idaho, was one
where cotton was replevned In Liverpool aud taken
away from the bankers who had in regular course OF
business accepted bills OF exchange drawn against 10
without notice OF any prior eQuites aud the United