The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-05-23
WASHINGTON.


Tax on Bank Capital and Deposits.
WASHINGTON, May 22-The Attorney Gen.
eral has given an opinion 10 the Secretary of
the Treasury that under the provisions Of the
act approved March 50, 1883, no tax can be
collected GU the capital and deposits OF pation
al banks since the first day Of last January aud
10 tax on the Capitsl and deposits Of Stafa
banks and private banks since the first day
last December.
The Attorney General says he is Of the opin.
ion that duties are not assessabe and colieoti-
ble on the deposits and capital stock Of
national banking associations for the period
between the date Of the act OF March 3. 1885.
and January /, 1853, nor on the deposits and
capital Of other banks aud bankera for the
period between the dato Of the same act and
December I, 1882.
a Sarcastic Letter.
The Post will publish tomorrow, letter
from Secretary Chandler 70 Ex-Congressman
Dezendorf OF Virginia, 10 response 10 COM
munication from the latter calling attention
70 the leyying Of assessments for poIicical pur
poses ON employees Of the Norfolk navy ward.
The Seeretary's letter Is as follows:
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Washington, May n, 1888 /
Sir.-Your communication Of Nav II. an.
closing letters dated May to chiefs al In.
reaus Of equipments aud recruiting aud con-
structlon and repairs, calling attention 10 eer
tain alleged violations Of law and abuse@ Ia
the administration In connection with tbe
navy yard at Norfolk, has been to-day for the
fret time seen by me. Instructions have ham
sent 10 the chief OF the bureau of steam enein-
eering and yards and docks to investigate the
facts charged end to reform any disobodieuca
OF law aud correct any abuse In tho adminis-
tration which may be found TO exist for what
ever purpose and whatever pretext mentioned
The tone OF your letter which you have made
public indicates that you take very strong in
terest In the reformation Of tho navy vafd nt
Norfolk Your long familiarity with the ward
as constant candidate for Congress since 1873
seeking special support from voters there en-
ployea will undoubtedly enable you 10 make
many moro valuable suggestions for suppress
sion OF abuse therein which viii be gladly re.
ceiyed and considered. That sou should al
though now for the first time invite attention
o. the department and the public TO such
abuses after You have ceased to expect any
personal benefit from tho management Of the
yard 10 most oommendable performance Of
public duty by private citizen.
Very Respectfully,
WM. EOnAHDLER,
Sec. Of Navy.
Cranky Jones In Court Again.
Jones, the avenger," who shot 81 Guiteau
whilo tho latters trial was in progress, was in
tho police court yesterday, charged with pur-
suing Edward Preston. He pleaded guilty,
and Judge Smell took his personal bond 70
keep the peace.
The President Gone to New York.
The President and his party left Washing
ton for New York on the a20 train this after
noon.
Miscellaneous.
The Cabinet meeting to-day was of short
duration and no business OF Importance was
Transacted. All the members we're present ex-
cept Frelinghuysen aud Lincoln.
Commodore Alexander A. Semmes was to-
day ordered TO the command OF Washington
navy yard on July 1st, succeeding Commodore
Pattison.
The President issued an order to-day closing
OIL executive departments In Washington on
Decoration Day.