Year: 1870

han Land Case.


WASHINGTON, August IA, 1870.
Important Judicial Decision--Secrctary Bout
na well's Instructions Set Aside.


About year since the Secretary of the Treasury
instructed collectors of customs. determining the
dutiable value OF goods imported into this country
that 1t should be at the value at which they entered
into consumption In the country from which I'm
ported, as, In many instances, the value OF goods
would be greatly increased by the addition heavy
excise tax payable only when they were offered for
consumption, but not chalgeaple on the expectation
of the same. The order was regarded as imposing
an unfair valuation upon such imported articles as
were affected by the excise tax. Shortly after the
above instructions issued O case Involving the
dutiable value Of malt imported into Chicago from
Canada arose in that city and the Collector of the
PORT under the order of Secretary Boutwell, exacted
duty thereon at the value at which it was sold for
consumption IN the Canadian market. At that time
the article was selling for eighty -four cents per
bushel including the excise Of thrty-four cents
per oushe. The importers claimed that the dutable
value OF the malt fifty cents per bushe its price
In bond az the time Of the purchase but yielded
to the requirements OF the Secretary under protest.
and the taken to the United States District
Court where it has been pending for twelve months
On Friday last Judge Bodgett decided that the posi-
ton taken BY the government in the case wrong
and that the proper dutable value Of the malt Its
value In Canada In bond. The principle OF the case
Is OF great Importance to importers 1t Affects not
only the amount Of duty on malt, but the value Of
imporations Of tea, coffee and many other articles
from European countries which are subject to an
excise tax, but which is not chargeable on exporta-
ton Of the goods from bonded warehouses. The
Treasury Department was yesterday advised Of the
decision OF Judge Blodgett. 1t has yet been de-
termined whether to acquiesce III the decision or to
take the case to the Supreme Court as Secretary
Boutwell, maintains that he has the authority to de-
termine such questions, and as the principle In
volved is one affecting the customs revenue to
large extent the latter course viii undoubtedly be
taken.


The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Troubles.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company has
sued out an injunction restraining the Harper's
Ferry Water Power and Manufacturing Company
from removing the bridge crossing their canal just
above the armOry. At that place it seems that the
whole business OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
depends on this BRIDGE over which a single track
runs. The bridge, 1t now stands, is in very
safe condition and has no other support than
wooden tresuework set in the very centre Of the
Water Power Company's canal. This trestlework,
1t Is said. not only impedes the natural flow
OF the water in the canal, but has made heavy
backwater, causing a break IN the bank Of the
canal, ana while 1t remains threatens to destroy
the most valuable portion Of the property. The
Water Power Company contend that the railroad
never had the shadow Of permission to cross the
canal at that point and that they knew the penalty
they were ncurrlng by SO doing. 1t seems, also,
that Mr.. CARROTS attention has been repeatedly
called during the last six months to the serious
damage this bridge was doing the Water Power
Company's property, and requests made that he
apply the proper remedy. The Water Power Conn.,
pany, acting under the advice Of their counsel
about to apply force to remove the bridge and its
trestlework; hence the Injunction which will
bring up the question to whether the railroad
company has any rights at all on the property.


Serious Illness of General Spinner.


Yesterday General Spinner taken seriously i'll.
having been completely prostrated by over work.
AT a late hour last night he had not materially i'm
proved. Two of the clerks of his bureau remained
with him. To-day his condition is much improved.
lie is confined TO his room at the Treasury.


Funeral of B. B. French.


The funeral Of Il. Il. French took place this after
noon. He had occupied the highest post in the
Masonic fraternity, and was Past Most Eminent
Grand Master OF the Grand Encampment of the
United States He was also member of the Scottish
Rite of the Thirty-third Degree The Masons OF the
district Of Columbia and adjoining States were
present in large numbers At the church the Masonic
burial service was performed.


Transmission OF Newspapers by the French


Mail.


special despatch from Washington OF the 10th
instant, relative TO the transmission of malls from
the United States for France is erroneous so tar as
the same relates to the postage on newspapers and
circulars to that country. Newspa ,ers, &C., are
forwarded only from the United States to France by
means OF the direct line of steamers leaving New
YORK every alternate Saturday, beginning with
the sixth OF August.


Lighthouses on the German Coast.


The Minister Of North Germany has notified the
Secretary Of STATE that the buoys OF the Western
Ems have been taken away, and the beacon lights
the Ems eXtingulshed


The Cherokee Delegation.
Colonel Adair, OF the Cherokee delegation is stl
here His colleagues have returned home. The DELE
cation have been on frequent visits TO Washington
for several years past in order to induce the Senate
TO act on the supplementary treaty by which pay
ment is to be made by the government for the lands
1t has taken up for the benefit Of other In
dams. The lands selected by the govern
ment lie west OF the ninety-sixth degree
west longitude. The delegation have done every
thing possible advance the interests OF their ma
ton, showing IN their business movements much
skill and integrity. Though thus far unsuccessful
they hope during the next session Of Congress 10
consummate the purposes Of their mission.


Railroads in Japan.


Oficial information has been received here that an
English company has acquired valuable railroad
franchises in Japan.


Tho McCiarrahan Land Claim.


Secretary Cox yesterday directed the Commissions
of the Land ONCE To take up the application Of
the New Idra Mining Company for a patent to the
lands without delay. Notice viii be served both to
that company and TO Mr McGarrahan, the contestant.
prior to hearing and determining the question. The