San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-18

fought to the bitter end BY the United
States attorney and won against the
most treme ndous odds ever presented in
a court 10 this city; so say the promi-
nent members Of the San Antonio bar.
The only excuse ever offered for this
arrest wa, that Mr. Rust had imported
the animals for sale. Concerning this
the treasury department says, in letter
| OF instruction to the collector OF New
| Orleans February 3, 1871: "Live stock
imported for breeding purposes, inten-
ded either for the importers own use OR
FOR SALE, are entitled to free entry M
der the act OF July II, 1870" In u letter
! to Irwin and Brice, OF Lima, Ohio, with
! reference TO the importation OF blOOded
sheep and their exemption from
duty, the United States treasurer
writes: alt Is immaterial whether
they are imported for sale or for
the use OF the Importer" BY decision OF
the supreme court OF January 1888, the
treasury regulations which required the
collector 10 be satisfied that the animals
were of superior breed adapted to i'm
proving the stock OF the United States
was revoked, the court holding that the
treasury department could not modify
the act OF congress. On January 9th,
1888 the treasury department In answer
to enquiry, instructed the United States
attorney at Philadelphia-"The fact,
therefore, that they are imported pri-
marily for sale, and not for breeding, by
the importer, does not, In the opinion OF
the department. Obstruct the right TO
free entry" On April IA, 1888, with
reference to the importation Of mares
from Canada. the department said: las,
however, We are compelled to hold that
sheep and cows may be cOnstructiyely
held to be imported specially for breed
ing because they are always used for
that purpose, 1t is practically difficult to
establish a different rule as to mares,
and think litigation upon this point
would be more expensive than profitable
to the government"
1t was In the face OF these rulings OF
the treasury plainly laid down in printed
Instructions to the collectors, that Rust's
mares were seized. himself branded as
smuggler and thief. and his property
taken from him, entailiDg upon him
loss that has absolutely Impoverished
him. This decision In Rust's favor Is
most important one, involving AS it does
the right Of importers all along this Dor
der and by steamer from over seas. The
stockmen of this whole country owe
debt OF real gratitude to Mr.. Rust for his
refusal to pay money and thus secure
the release Of his stuck. This suit and
seizure has Impoverished him, but 1t has
taught the democratic servants of the
treasury department in Texas whole
some lesson, and may yet teach some
newspapers that branding a man as a
smuggler and thief, is not as profit
able proceeding san examination in
to the merits OF the case would have been.
The excitement over the stealing of
three ballot boxes in Washington county
continues. The commissioners have de-
eided the peoples party elected, but the
republicans insist that they have been
defrsuded OF their rights at the ballot
box, and appeal to the public for sus-
pension of judgment in the premises.
The courts will have their hands fun
before the excitement quiets down.
The Examiner OF Waco and the News
of Galveston are still playing deep
bluff game on libel. The News has the
advantage Of a pair in the game.
THERE Is no doubt but that the New
England states have very materially
changed the character OF their popula-
lions during the past quarter Of cen
fury. The old families have sent their
sons westward until Wisconsin, Michi-
gan, Iowa and Minnesota are really
more New England than is New Eng
land herself. As a consequence the New
England States, populated very largely
by foreign emigration, have changed
their habits, customs, Ideas and charac-
teristics. The puritanism OF the parents
is dead. The care Of churches and at
tendance at church worship has vislbly
declined. Democracy has gained foot
hold, as ii always does where the native
population is flooded out. and the strong
holds Of republicanism must be looked
for farther to the west. 1t is change in
the people, not change in the ideas OF
the same people, that has made Con-
necticut and Massachusetts and New
Hampshire somewhat doubtful rs re-
publican states.
In the Consolidated National Cattle
Growers association now in session at
Chicago, a resolution WAS adopted lay
Ing the responsibility for the lack OF
proper legislation competent to grapple
with the pressing need OF the cattle in
dustry OF the nation" at the door OF
the present chairman OF the Agricul-
tural committee Of congress. This dem
ocratic congress does catch 1t on all
sides.
The Chicago packers In demanding
deposit Of $50 from each workingman in
their employ have blocked the adjust
ment OF the difficulties. The men very
naturally refuse to contribute 81, 600
capital to the packing concerns without
receiving any dividends upon that
amount.