Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-11-06
November 8, 1886

unwilling and dedication in New
York last week, were fully repaid
for their trip. The President and
| Cabinet officers, the entire French
legation and manv prominent citi-
zens were among those who left
Washington to be present. While
the pleasure Of the day, was some
what marred, owing to the inclem-
ent weather; the general feeling of
patriotism and liberty was such, as to
make the occasion grand success
in spite of the unfavorable elements.
The attitude of tbs English press in
reference to the affair, appears to
have been not only undignified, but
supremely absurd. The idea Of two
such intelligent organs as the Lon
don Times and Ne,cs setting to work
to ridicule with irony and invective
the event, the statue, and M. Bar
tholdi himself, seems strangely in
consistent and incomprehensiblc. If
we may regard the sentiment ex-
pressed in these rather queer editor
ials, as demotic; it is clear that En-
glands old hatred for France and
jealousy Of America, is still by no
means dormant nor diminished.
The ''war ship smuggling scandal
has been attracting considerable at
tention, for the past ten days. The
story, as told by an ex-corporal of
The Marine Corps appears to con-
tain several very edifying chapters
on heightened rascality, and which,
if authentic, reflect rather ignomin-
ously on certain high officials Of
former administration.-From the ex-
corporafs version of the affair, it
seems that the U. S. Man-of-war
Saratoga, was used in 1882, as a
means of smuggling from foreign
port, large qualities Of laces, wines,
silks, etc. These articles were con-
signed to Secretary Thompson, Gen
eral Sherman and others, then in
Washington. upon reaching the
United States, remarks the corpor-
al, we did not put in to an important
port, but anchored in Hampden
Roads, and consequently were not
troubled by visit from the collec-
tor of customs, A few days after
our arrival, the Taltapoosa steamed
down from Washington, and came
alongside shortly after dark. The
crew was Immediately put to work
rigging ship and tackle to take the
cargo out of the hold. An estimate
of the amount of goods may be form
ed from the fact that the time occu
pied in unloading the vessel, consum-
ed 2 hours" Some days ago, Navy
department official, was rigidly
cross-examined by scribe, and dur
ing the interview said "This state
ment regarding the smuggling pro-
pensities of our prominent Naval of
ficers can be vouched for, and is not
the spiteful outpourings of a dis
gruntled sailor"
Although no complaint from the
custom officers has been received at
the Navy department, Secretary
1 whitney has addressed letter to
the commanding officers of training
ships Saratoga and Portsmouth re
questing the facts in regard to the
reported smuggling. The recent ex-
posures, have of course been much
| ridiculed by naval officers, but this
appears to have but little influence
on Mr.. Whitney who manifests an
inclination to sift the matter to the
bottom.
An interesting report, submitted
by the superintendent Of foreign
mails was handed to the Postmaster
General this week. In the report,
which is somewhat voluminous, it is
stated that the total weight of letters
dispatched to foreign country by sea,
was 500,19S pounds, and of papers
2.367.583 pounds The total num-
Der of letters sent was 81 ,000, 900,
and the number received 10000,
coo. The cost of the sea transpor
tation service during the year was
1857, 443. A careful estimate of the
mail matter of all kinds exchanged
throughout the world in one day,
places the total at III $40 900, 900, or
about five pieces for every human be-
ing. From the report it is learned
that the United States spent more
for salaries of post Office employees
than any other country, but exhibits
a larger deficiency in revenue as
compared with expenditures. The
United Slater ranks first in the length
of its railway service, with 11T,846
miles and Germany second, with o.
Ill miles. Mr.. Bell closes his re
port. by again recommending the
compulsory carriage of Ocean mails
| by United States vessels--upon such