The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-05-06
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
[FRoM OUR REGULAR coRREsPoNDENT

LII In nun ADalNUlUNs
lFROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT ]
WASHINGTON, D. c., April l6, 1850.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NoErHwFsT:
The interest felt in this country in
the vast funds accumulated in Europe
through the various large unclaimed
estates Of many extinct families, is sur
prising, and it exhibits Itself here in
the shape of letters addressed to the
President or the Secretary Of State. The
impression seems to be prevalent that
our Government is in some manner
bound to look after the interests of such
OF its subjects as may have some genoa
logical connection with these properties
hence the numerous inquiries which
reach the President or the State Depart
ment. Recently the jocular inquiry
was made in some Of the newspapers,
"Where is the Kern family ?" and with
this the statement that the Holland
Government owes the Kern estate, for
moneys loaned it by that family over a
hundred years ago, an accumulated
principal and interest exceeding one
hundred millions Of dollars. Certain
members OF this family settled in Penn
sylvania, and, judging from what letters
/ have seen, fancy that every person
in the United States named Kern,
whose ancestors can be traced back TO
State, imagiues himself entitled 10 a
slice Of the Dutch millions. And yet,
Colonel Sellers castles in the air, with
"milions in them" have less Of the
"iusubstaniial" than This legacy to The
American Kern heirs. The State De-
partmeut is constantly issuing passports
10 those who go 10 Europe seeking fam
ily title or estates. Yet, OF thousands
who have gone for this purpose, not one
has succeeded in securing the slightest
recognition. I recently met one Of
these, whose claim to an English Lord
ship seems uuquestiOnable but the
failure Of the younger son, >" who came
to this country just after the war Of
1872, to establish his right to succession
prior to his death in 1896, now efIectu-
ally bars his lineal heir from the enjoy
ment Of place among the peers Of that
country. Still his descendants dilate as
glitly upon their blood and rights a.
were their claims fully established.
The Senate has taken one good step i'm
appointing a commission 10 devise some
plan by which the immense losses of
revenue through the evasion of stamp
taxes on cigars aud manufactured to-
bacco may be prevented. The good to
flow from the labor Of this commission
will not so much be in checking eva
sious as in showing ;hat the reduction
of the tobacco tax by the Forty fourth
3 Congress was a grave error. Taking of
this tax has not, i'm the slightest degree,
/ increased the consumption, as it was
claimed would be the result; hence the
nine or more millions of loss TO the
revenue which has eusued should have
the cause fully demonstrated and the
original duty restored. The country can
well sGord 10 tax its luxuries. But
fear that 50 long as such an article OF
prime necessity as matches mast make
up The deficit of million Of revenue that
should, by right, be raised through Gu-
ties upon whisky and tobacco, that the
latter articles of questionable necessity
will continue to bear the lighter burden
Of taxation.
It seems that the rowing match be
tween Haulan and Courtney, for the
worlds championship, is TO take place
az Washington. The parties interested
agreed that all the requirements Of a
great contest like this could be had
here, aud they have made fortunate
selection. They will have fine course,
and can rely upon full protection from
interference of any kind, and upon fair
aud honorable treatment all round. No
boats will be cut here, ,.and more people
, will witness the race than could have
been assembled, perhaps, at any other
poiut. Tie Potomac is admirably suited
for rowing purposes. The stretch from
Z the bridge which spans the river at
Georgetown down 90 the Long Bridge
aud return, cannot be surpassed in the
whole country.
In all the Presidential headquarters
there is the greatest activity as well as
the extreme Of hopefulness for the vari-
Gus candidates on the part Of the work
ers. In u general canvass, have met
no supporter 50 lacking in enthusiasm
as to ajmit the possibility Of defeat OF
his leader, aud il is difficult to reconcile
the discrepancy Of statements made as
to the delegates already elected in the
States. Each candidate seemingly
claims all these delegates, and give
up the couundrum as 10 which one will
be the successful aspirant, but appar-
, emily the "Great Unknown" will win at
both Chicago aud Cincinnati, aud
predict that neither OF the three most
prominently mentioned candidates Of
! either party will be nominated. To be
strong in advance is to be weak in the
= final contest, as was the case with Mr..
! Seward 10 1860 George II. PeudletOn in
5 1865, and Mr.. Blaine in 1876
Dom PEDRO.