THK DAILY KYENINQ TELEGRAPH PIHLADELHHA. THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 18G9.
PUBLISHED EVERY AFTEBNOON
(SUNDAYS MOHPTRD),
AT THE ETKNINO TELEGRAPH BUILDING.
NO. 108 & TinRD STREET,
PHILADELPHIA.
TV ' thite cent per espy (rfonM tVvfl,' er
HpftAro mitt per wet, payable te the carrier if wAm
srrtvd. IV rubrriftian print by mail U Sine Vellar
per otwum, or One DvUar and Flly f ,wo
month, invariably in advance for the time entered.
TLTLTISDAY, APRIL 15, 1869.
THK LAST LEGISLATIVE SCHEME TO
ROB TUB l'KOPLE.
No commrnt upon the proceeding of tho Le
gislature can bo more severe than tho brief telo
(jrapfcic report of the iniquitous measures which
from time to tlmo reoelte tho nupportof the men
who so shamefully misrepresent tho people of
Pcnnftylrsula. Their rulsdooiL curry condomna
tion ' upon their face, aud It erery day grow
more Mid moro palpable that nowhere In the
Ooumonwcftlth can men bo fouud who evince an
much iiuKioty to Injure and plunder their fellow
eitir.es, as among the rapaelou members of the
8Utc Senate and IIouao of Representatives. The
General Appropriation bill which recently
paHwd the House contained, anion; other inou
rtrohHhx, a section providini; for the puymeutof
I,A tlSMtV-f4fTeil guoerfluou employe for
whom plaet'H were created at the commencement
of the sewion in dofltnoe of law. The Senate ,
rominlttcc of conference agreed to the retention i
of thw section, but by a singular piece of ijood
fortune for the tax-payero, this report wan de- !
lealed yesterday; and if the Senate steadfastly
m&intaiuH iU virtuous rcnolution, the experiment
of providing: sinecure for needy follower of
Awiemhlyiucn may yet prove u4 uuprotiUblc a
It U manifeMly unjunt.
Wtiilo the Hotine was unnecesarlly Totina;
away money for this and other purpose which
Wcr no real benefit npou the public, aud
whllo it 1 clearly evident that the precnt reve
nues of the State are amply eutllcicnt to provide
for all tha legitimate object of State expendi
ture tinder the existing fytem, it hastily Im
posed a boflt of new taxes, aud the telegraphic
report of IU proceeding on the 14th iustunt
contain the following amazing paragraph:
"It mut be explained in reference to the Tax bill,
that it has become apparent since its pasHuge yes
terday morning at tuif-iia.t 1 o'clock, that it Im
pose new taxei on coal, oil, and whl.sky, and re
leases the railroad companity of the State from the
burden of their taxation. This was done by talk
ing a few sections to the lengthy bill of over one
hundred and llftj sections. "
We doubt rery much whether there i another
ejvillxcd Stato In tho world, ponsenhlng a sem
blance of constitutional government, in which
equal disregard for the right and Intercut of
tie people was ever manifested. The Constitu
tion require that bills levying taxes und appro
priating money must originate In the popular
brunch of tho Legislature, and theoretically it
was presumed that thl precaution would enurc
a vigilant regard for the pecuniary welfare of
jealous constituencies. But It seems our argu
eyed legislators lmpoo heavy new burdens with
out being even aware of the fact ! They tax
wliisky, petroleum, and coal, and absolve rail
road comanies from heavy annual contribution
to the State, at half-paui 1 o'clock In the morn
ing, without discussion, without consideration,
and without the (slightest Idea of what they are
doing I If tlio biiMutso of the State I turned
over to the French Opera Company, to be dis
poned of as they K-e proper in the closing scene
of G'etievieve or Flxur de Tlie, or to the negro
soreiiaders as the grand wind-up of a serie of
break-downs, walk-round, and plantation melo
dies, they cannot display greater corelesuohs
aud recklcNbiiefig than the mou duly nominated,
elected, and paid to legislate have shown In this
instance. The opera company or the serena
des would, indeed, in all probability take inll
nitely greater pains to please the public, and, at
all events, to avoid giving them just cause of
offense; and if they did happen to make an over
fight or mistake, they would show greater will
ingness to correct it than the Legislature evinced
yesterday; for one of the mont singular feu lures
at the discreditable transactions there is that
whea a motion was made to request the Senate
to return the Tax bill, which had been rushed
through in such unseemly haste, the reporter
tells us that "Mr. Davis mad a short speech,
but strong, in which he urged the House -not to
make cowards of themselves by undoing their
own work;" and this appeal proved so potent
that the Tax bill, passed in ignorance, was con
firmed at an act of legislative valor. It must be
confessed that the Legislature is rarely wantiug
hi courage when tax-payers are to be fleeced,
and that it advances to the charge as boldly a
hungry wolves attacking a badly wounded
buffalo.
The sections of tho new Tax bill which are
published provide for a tax of five cent per
gallon on whiky, one-fourth of a cent per gallou
on petroleum, and two cents per ton on anthra
cite coal, and for the creation of a host of new
officials, pfestchslng powers similar to those ex
ercised by the assessors ond deputy collectors
now ajoiutcd by the National Government, to
collect these new taxes. The people arc to bo
oppressed, and places provided for politicians
in this manner; so that tho railroad companies
may be euubled to increase their present large
dividend. It is reported, to the credit of the
two most powerful railroad corporations of the
State, that they refuse to aid tho bill, notwith
standing the splendid bribe it proffer to them,
and it remain to be seen how much virtue the
Senate will display in resisting this last outrugo.
The reporter telegraphed last night that the
bill was "engineered by ono of the most wealthy,
shrewd, and energetic men in Pennsylvania, but
there is every prospect that it will be defeated,
as the members fear that it provisions will be
unpopular with the masses," but ho added, in
trepidation, that although it was, perhaps,
dead, it was "certainly not yet burled." Whether
this Is a serious attempt to effect a radical change
tx the revenue laws of tho Commonwealth with
out any lust reason, or merely a base device to
levy contributions on distillers, well-owners, coal
ooerators, and railway officials, it Is equaUy
odious, and the men who have wittingly sanc
tioned such an infamous proceeding have thereby
- forfeited all claims to the respect und confidence
iA their constituents.
bOGBERRY IS COURT.
Yrsthkdat a number of committing magis
trates, la common parlance termed aldermen,
were summoned before Judge Brewster, pre
siding in the Court of Quarter Sessions, to give
a account of their shortcomings. It appears
that it has been a oommon pastime with these
worthy magistrates to commit persons to the
m ... ,jinl. nA,ijatlkiia and then
rnsou uu kr,Uu,R f
tribunes on the part of the aldermen, the mise
rable creature who have been thrown Into Jnll
at their command remain thore without the
knowlodgo of tho District Attorney, and, there
fore, without any action by the Grand Jury in
their rasos. Tho searching examination to wlileh
several of the aldermen were subjected by Judge
Brewster yesterday developed tho fact that this
abuse has become one of nlmost startling propor
tions. In one case it appeared that a man had
Iecn committed on the third of March,
and that no return was made until the 14th of
April. My this outrageous neglect tho unfortu
nate prisoner was kept in Jail just six weeks
before his caso could possibly lie brought to the
attention of the (irand Jury! When we remem
ber that a very largo proportion of the case re
turned by the aldermen arc thrown out by the
Grand Jury because the charges are of too trivial
a character towarraut their being sent into court
for trial, or because the evidence presented is
totally Inadequate to establish even a prima
facie case, the downright iniquity of such pro
ceeding as this will strike every reader in the
most palpable way.
Judge KrcwMter Informed the alderiten that it
was their plain duty under the law to make a
return of every caso "before the ink i dry on
the commitment." There can bo no doubt that
tinch of the official delinquents was quito as
well aware of this fact as the Judge himself.
Tho only reasons which they could assign for
the neglect to perform their duty showed that
their carelessness was of that degree which the
law pronounces criminal. Whilo they denied
any intention of oppressing the prisoners, they
eould presont no moro reasonable excuses
than flckness, forgetfuluess, or the fact that
efforts were being mode to settle the cases In
qncstlon without carrying them into court.
These excuses are all mere frivolities when the
question of a man's liberty Is Involved, espe
cially when that man is quite as likely to be
innocent a guilty, und when the law adjudge
him to be Inuocent until he i proven guilty.
Judge Brewster set forth the extent of the
offense which the derelict aldermen had com
mitted by informing them that they had sub
jected themselves to indictment, and were liable
to be turned out of their offices. While we con
cur with the Judge in expreslng the hope that
this public announcement of their iniquities
may induce thorn to avoid a repetition of them
in the future, by the exercise of more prompt
ness and carefulness, we arc unable to agree
with hi intimation that a prevention of possible
evils in the future will satisfy the demand of jus
tice. About a score of cases were cited yesterday
in which the neglect to mako an immediate re
turn had subjected as many person to an im
prisonment ranging between two and six
weeks, in direct violation of both the letter and
spirit of the law. Arc these men to have no
remedy for the wrong which they have suffered
at the hands of persons who have been elected
by the people to execute the laws, and who have
taken a solemn oath to dischnrgo the duties of
their office with all due faithfulness? If such i
to be the case, the sooner our courts of justice
are done away with the better. It is the plain
duty of the District Attorney to proceed against
the delinqueut aldermen without fear or favor,
to secure their Indictment, and to push them to
tho wall, without any show of the element of
mercy in which they have becu fouud so de
ficient. In addition to the neglect to make their re
turns at the proper time, some of the delinquent
oflicials confessed before Judge Browster that
they had been guilty of another offense against
the laws tbut of discharging persons committed
by them after the return day. This evil likewise
needs remedying, but as it 1 the maxim of the
law that ten guilty men should escape punish
ment rather than ono innocent man suffer it,
this hitter offense is of comparatively trilling
importance. Wo trust that District Attorney
Sheppard will look into the whole subject and
make a bold strike for justice. lie will cer
tainly, in so doing, receive the cordial support of
the community, and, we doubt not, of the courts
us weu.
TUB PORT WARDENS' FEES.
Tdk Vessel Owners' and Coptains' Association
has published a statement of the controversy
with the Port Wardens with regard to the mat
ter of fees, in which the whole case is set forth
in a manner that must command attention. The
fee of two dollars on every vessel over seventy
five tons has always been contested by the ship
owners and captains; but previous to the orga Di
lation of their association in March, 1808, they
were unable to offer any effectual resistance to
what was believed to be an unconstitutional tax.
Since then they havo refused to pay the fees, and
In every instance they have been sustained by
the courts. The bill whieh was happily recon
sidered and killed yesterday, in the House, was
designed to annoy the owners and captains, so
that they would prefer to pay the fees rather
than to run the risks of fine aud imprisonment,
before the Recorder or any alderman of the city
of Philadelphia, on a criminal charge. The bill
permitted an appeal to the Court of Quarter Ses
sions, but as the appeal was required to be made
within twenty-four hours the privilege would be
practically valueless In many cases, and the vessel-owners
and captains would have beeu at tho
mercy of the Wardens.
The bill was one of the most outrageous mea
sures of the present session of the Legislature, It
would have annihilated the commerce of Phila
delphia if it had gono into operation, and, like
the law which it was designed to support, it was
clearly in defiance of tho Constitution of the
United States. It is, perhaps, well that the Legis-
aturc took the action that it did in this matter,
for the attention of the public has now been
called to the grievances of the ship-owners; aud
with the support of public opinion, they will be
more likely to have the whole mutter settled defi
nitely by a Judicial decision upon the constitu
tionality of the law in question.
J UK ALABAMA CLAIMS TKBATY WhlCU Was
negotiated by Revcrdy Johnson on, the part of
me tnueu oiuies, and Lords Stunleyand C'laren
A i v if . . . .
uwii uu irctiuu oi ureal urltuln. contn nod no
many elements of weukness and injustice, that
its almost unanimous rejection by the Senate
Jl J A !.--. ....
yuuuc Dy surprise. The mas-
ieny speecn niaae by Senator Sumner in ex
ceutlvc session has been published, and it con
j 1 1 1 1 m uu li h ni'iinun ...
reeord In Justification of our refusal to asrree to
'tru7 ih.uuhiubu surrender. Aslda from
tho inherent injustice of the plan of sttimut
proposed, there was a still more potent element
oi weunDusB, wuicu is iuus tersely expressed In
lue language ui oeuutor oumoer:
"A treaty which. Instead of remnvina an a.i
grievance, leaves it for heart-burning and rauoo?
cannot o couniuerea a aeuiement of pending autw.
turns betw. en two nations. It may mm u settle
them, but does not. it is nothing but a snare."
When Reverdy Johnson bad been a month in
England, it was patent to every one that he was
by instinct and Inclination, fitted to be entrapped
by jt such mare. The profuion of eatables
lavlshncM of the praise which wu showered
opo him, were too mueA for the weakness of
his garrulous old age. But the Amorlcan people
are found U be proof against all such dlplomatio
appliances, especially when they are brought to
bear upon them through the absorbing channel
of Reverdy Johnson's digestive apparatus.
SPEOIAL NQTIOFS.
COLD WKATIIUi)
.-. ., .,." :. "'i utuvr
" (JHK8NUT Hlrat.
jQy- PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD COMPANY.
TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT,
TO TDK WWMolriJSL.
VANIA RAILROAD COMPANY.
All Stockholders, as regtstcred on the Books of this
Company on the 80th day of April, 1869, will be en
titled to subscribe for 26 Per Cent, of their respective
interests In New Slock at Par, as follows-
First. Fifty percent at the time of subscription,
between the lDth day of to ay, u, and the Both day
of June, 1869.
Second. Fifty per cent, between the 15th day of
ovcmber, 18f,9 and the 81st day of December, 1S69;
or, if Stockholder! , should prefer, the whole amount
may be paid up at the time of subscription, and each
Instalment so paid shall bo entitled to a pro rata of
the Dividend that may bo declared on full shares.
Third. That every Stockholder holding less thon
four shares shall be entitled to subsorlbe for one
share; and those holding more than a multiple of
four shares shall be entitled to subscribe for an ad
ditional share.
Fourth. All shares npon which instalments are yet
to be paid under Resolution of May 13, 1368, will be
entitled to their allotment of the 86 Ter Cent, at par.
as though they were paid in full.
TllOMAS T. PIRTn,
Treasurer.
&& TO ARCHITECTS
u1.!1 mt?dmi to nibuiit plans will reocirs oiron
T?h?. min" information a to the uroeral oliaracWr
. . f"'!'0" building, tiio amount of aocommo.iaU.in
tSlr.,".w'rSd,Pto;,b7 "PP'""". eiWior personally or by
lottor, to the underoignod, tx-crodtrj of Um Hoard of
l,N',lI1!.',0?er, ' tho uthwet corner ot Walnut mad
A premium of JWIOO will be paid for the deidjm powteasinii
Uie moat merit, (,1400 lew tho second beat, WWW tor the
tuird, and IfWA) lor the fourth. The deoiaton upon Mio
j j wu" maoe, ana ne premiums ta De
awarded, by tho hoard of lAmmuaionors, oa or botore the
tut day oi October noit, at 1J M.
i. itTjiiuitMi uiib win oe recurnoa.
By order ot the hoard of Cmnuasionera.
'BST OLD OAKS CKMETEKY COMPANY
OF PHILADKI-PHIA.
OI'FICF, No. 318 WALNUT KTRKRT.
This Company is now prepared to din nose ef Lets ea
RKASONABI.KTKUMS. The advantages offered by this
Cemetery aro well known to bo equal if not auporior to
those poHaeescd by any other Cemetery.
We invite aU who desire to purolutae Burial Lots to oall
t the office, whero plans can be seen and ail particulars
will be Rivon. Iceds for lots sold aro ready for delivery.
RICHARD VAUX, Prenldont.
PIOTkK A. KKVSKK, V ice-Presidont.
MARTIN LANOKNBKKUliU, Troaaurer.
MichakXj NmiiKT, Secretary. 1 U 6m
fligy- "A PENNY SAVED 13 EQUAL TO TWO
F.amod." Tho tinio to save mouey is when you earn
it, and the way to save it is by depoKiting a portion of it
weekly in tho old FRANKLIN S V ISii FUM), Wo. l.tts
M. FOURTH Street, below Choenut. Muney in Lartfo or
small amounts received, and tire per cent, interest allowed.
Ouen daily Irom S to S. and on Mnniiuv Avpmnm fnun 7 a
o'ciovk. OYKUlfrOADWALLADKB.
a IS Treasurer.
nfiy- OFFICE OF TIlE FRANKLIN FIKE
Tvt:iin A unn '" T r.r
Pkiladpxpitia, April 6, 1R6T).
At a meetins of the Board of Inrootom. hnld thin Hl
a semi-annual dividend of MX PKK CKNT. and an extra
dividend of ThN PKK CKNT. were declared on the
Capitul Stock lor the last six inonthB, payable to the
Stockholders, or their legal representatives, on and after
the lfxh inat.,clear of taxus. J. W. McALLISTKK,
Hocretary.
fi CAMBRIA IRON COMPANY. A
rt-viiai iwu'wiujf vt i,ud tiAitvj rmi in tun iuuunn
Iron tympany will beheld on WKUN1WDAY, the liJtk
day of Aril, proximo, at 4 o'clock P. M., at the Ulfioe of
the (Company, to take action upon tho act of Assembly ap
proved March 16, lhbV, amending the Charter of said Com
pany, and the exercise of the power therein granted.
iiy order oi uie jioara.
8 2tM j JOHN T. KUXKSoeretary
CITY TREASURER'S OFFICE,
riiiiiAiijuiriuai ayni u. low
NOT1CK
To holders of FlVH AND SIX PRR CENT. LOANS of
the City of Philadelphia.
Ioaru of the City of Philadelphia, maturing July 1. 1869,
will be paid on presentation at this office. Interest ceasing
m.m elate of maturity. jusivrn ji. rraiwub,
f la tntnslJt uity i reasurer.
ELLIS' IRON BITTERS T1IE MOST
nnnuUr ajiH nalatable Hitters m the market. To
persens having weak or thin blood or suffering from dys
pepsia, these Bitters insure a speedy reliof. Carefully pre
pared on strict scientific principles by WILLIAM LLLIH,
Chemist. Sold by JOHNSTON, HULLOWAlf COW
DKN, No. tW2 ARCH Street, and druggiau everywhere.
x 4 vuuiis
"K oslzw. DnA-LLimrcoii."
(if. J. Don't spell that baclneards, or you vaitt
JUUt OU 10 OUt M VI.)
Do yon want your boys to grow up (rood men?
Cloth them of JioethiU ii WBnfa
Do you want them to look respectable? Then
VtulM litem at iwcmntu ac w tunii a.
Do you want them to shun whatever is bad?
Clothe them at KoekhiU J ITtJson'
Do you want them to make their parents jriad?
Clothe them at HockhiU Jj Wilton'.
Do you want to save cash for a rainy day.
Buy Clothe at JioekhiU A ITtfwi
Do yon want to deal where you've least to pay?
Deal at Rockhill ds Wtitort.
Do yoa want to wear elothing at for a klnir?
Buy it at HockhiU Js WiUott'.
Do yoa want a suit for the present spring?
Ifs ready, at lio:khtll J Wit-volt?.
Be sure, when yon shall come nuxt to town.
To eome to HoekhM WtUton'i.
That splendid hall, so biff and so brown ;
There' none Hke JiockhiJl d rfX .
RocKnnx A Wilson offer to the masculine public,
the best assortment ever seen under one roof of
spring clothes, and materials from which clothes
are to be made.
Ar I'kicks so low that the bare mention of them will
open the eyes of any reasonable man.
jOf Htylks so magnificent that Solomim in all his
glory wasn't rigged out half so hue as KockhUl fc
Wilson's customers.
Or Kxcki.i.knt Durability, so great that you will
almost wonder what you shall do to we-ar them
out.
Of Accurath Pit, to such an extent that everj'MJy
who buys of us goes home feeling that be Is a
gentleman, and not a scarecrow with some
clothes piled on it.
Gentlemen! Oentlomenl Gentlemen I The Rls
ehorr Coatings, the Himonl Hack-covermgH, tho
Rhine Cloths, the Cashmere Vesting, the American
and the Banuockburu Cheviots; In a word, all man
ner of goods, of all conceivable styles, await you,
cheap for cush, at the msgnlhceut
Brown Stone Hall
. o
ROCKHILL & WILSON,
JfOS. 603 AND 605 CIIESNUT ST,
1" H E STAR.
THE LARGEST ONE-PBICE
CLOTHING HOUSE.
No advantage taken of a want of knowledge of
goods.
FINK GOODS AT THH LOWEST RATES
STRICTLY ONE PRICE.
PERRY & CO.,
NO. 609 CUESNUT STREET,
t IS tfaatuist AliOVS SIXTH.
THE FORT WARDENS' FEE3. STATE
MR vr OK THK VKSaKL-OWWErUT' AND CAP
1AIN' ASSOCIATION. t
A oiKt'i'e lisvmg arisen between the Port wardsns
ot the city of Philadelphia and the Vessel-owners and
Osteins' AMwclatlon, to the Justl e and lertlitrof
the Port Warden"' and Harbor Waiter's fees, the Ves
pel owners snrt Caplam' A"ocitlon hare refused to
paythesuid fees, al'eglnn that they are tinnoe4ary
.xnrtioi s npon rnmmerre, and contrary to tin Consti
tution ol the United States. ... .
The Port W aideiM claim h right to collect the fees,
unimiiiiioff ost least flUOiWper annum, under the ant
of A-ixndily nf the t'nmmonwealth of PennsyWania,
rnwrt theOTth day of March, lb03, and the seTeralsus
plmiPDls iberfto. ... ...
j,y the eersl mpplerients to the said act of Ara
I'ly. the fee for einernn and clearing the pirt of Phlla
dcl hlslsnedat 8 J for errry vessel of oyer 75 cons,
srrt by the surp'cin'ht "t Febrnary 4. ISM. It Is directed
'that all finMi. lees and oenaltlrs aa are directed by this
art . and the Tart. -in acts to which this is a supplement,
shall, from sn-i alter he first iay of A pril ties, be re
tln rl hy ihe Wardens of ti e Port f Phllailnlphia. and
applied by them. In conjunction with the fees herein
Rportfied, to the payment of the salaries and contingent
expenses of their office. " .
t rom this niieplt mcnt It Is n-t dlfBcnlt to understand
that the Poit Wardens' i fflre endowed with aa Im
mense Income, erer wt Ich hey had and hare now the
ei.tire control, and without acconntnldllty to anyone;
therefore it was not snrprl-lns; to And that the Pert
W'aidpns at a meeting of their Hoard, on the th day
of Mivrrh, A . I. 1H6. passed unanimously a resolution,
"lint fnm and after the 1st ff April. IS4S, the Master
Warden end Oh ra be authnrir..d to receive ad collect
the f-estrom nil vessels arriving at the port of Ph la
oelr bia, and llkewiso atrlctly to enforce all penalties,
free and forteiture-. in sonformity with the variim
eels of Assembly of the commonwealth of Pennsylva
nia." W:hlletho vesel-owners were acting In their Indi
vidual carartths. the Port Wsrden", who were a power
ful orgatdzstlnn. met with little or no difficulty in cfl-lei-iing
the tees; but sinro ihe first Monday of March,
1HV), the date of the organization of the Vessel-owners
and aptains' Association, the vessel owuers have
stonily lefused to pay the exaction, and In every In
stance where the question has been brought before the
c-nt tor decision, thev have, without hesitation, de
cided In favor of the ship-owners .
By section a of article 1 of the Constitution of the
United Htates Ii is ordained "that Ciongress shall have
power to r gulate commerce with foreign nations, and
among the several States." Ac; and this clause of the
f (institution has been interpreted by the United 3tnts
Supreme Oonrt. In 18 Howard, 411, to man every in er
cotir e with thoe nations and among the several Htates
f r the purpoces of trade, be the object of tho trade
what it may; and this lnterconrsemust include all the
means by which it can be carried on, whether by the
free navigation of tho waters of the several States, or
by passage overland through the 8 1 ft tea, where such
passage beconies necessary to the commercial inter
course between the Htates.
Article I section 10 of the Constitution of the United
Ptates further directs, "That no State shall, without
the corsen of Congress, lay imposts or duties on im
ports or exports, except what may be absolutely necea
sary for executing its inspection laws; and the net pro
duce of all duties and imposts laid by any HMte upon
imports or exports shall be for the use of the Treasury
ot the I nittd Mates;" and further, "that no State
shall, withont the consent of Congress, lav any duty of
tonnage," Ac. It la certain that Congress has never
authorised the Stale of Pennsylvania or the city of
PhilRdelphln, nor any oth-r State or corporation, to
lay or collect any du'y or tonnage. And It Is equally
certain that a fee. Ilko that of the Port Warden, im
posed upon and eolbetrd from a certain class of vei
srls. to wit-thnee over seventy tons burden, thereby
mnklrg the tonnage of the vesselsthe criterion for tho
collection of the fee. is a tax on tonnage. And to go
still further, by section 9 of article 1 of the Constitu
tion of t-e Uni ted States it is ordained "that no tax or
duty shall I e laid on articles exported from any State.
No preference shnll be given by any regulation of com
nierre or revenue to the ports of one Stato ovor those of
another; norshall vessels bound to and from one State
be obliged to enter, clear or pay duties In another.
Congress has been especially jealous of this right to
regulate commerce conferred npon it by the Constitu
tion, and although it is not denied that Congress has
the right 10 grant to any State the privilege to lay and
collect these taxes and foes, yet it has never dons so,
aud when the city of Georgetown, some three months
ago, asked Congress for the privilege, it was denied by
an almost unanimous vote. Notwithstanding the ex
press language of the Constitution, the repeated deci
sions of tho Supreme Court, and the refusal of Con
gress to grant the privilege to the States to lay a duty
on tonnage, the Port Wardens have exerted every
meant, to collect such a duty. At their inituuce and
through their influence, the Lecrislature of Pennsylva
nia, no longer ago than this week (April 13. 1880), passed
a bill, reading, according to the reports in the daily
papers. somewhata-t follows: -
"That all fines penaltios, forfeitures and sums of
money for which the captain ond officers of any vet, el
in Philadelphia may be liable, shall be Bued for and re
covered by the Master Warden, with the costs of suit,
before the B"Corder or any Alderman of Philadelphia,
the process thereof being issued and returnable like
lawful processes requiring the apprehension of any
person charged with a criminal offeuee, but subject to
appeal to the Court ot Common Pleas from any judg
ment rendered in such a suit. Provided such appeal be
tnk'n within twentv-fonr hours after the judgment
rendered, and upon the giving of absolnte security, to
be approved of by such Recorder or Alderman, for the
payment of such judgment, interest and costs, if the
same be affirmed by the said Court."
This law is rather a remarkable one, and It is only
surprising that the Legislature did not make the
penalty death, without the right of twenty-four hours'
appeal. The Port Wardotis themselves certainly would
not have objected. The legislature also, we under
stai.d.hkB pa-sed a resolution requesting Congress to
pass a law giving authority to the Port Wardens to do
these things, and generally making them tha dictators
of affairs at this port. Besides the legal reasons for not
paying these exactions, thore are ottiers:
One of the chief reasons why this unjust tax should
not be paid is because it is an unnecessary bunion upon
a special Interest, and a particular drawback to tint
prosperity of the port of Philadelphia. No bnsinoss in
the country labors under the disadvantages that attend
the shirping Interest. From the time tlie keel of a vr
so) is laid until she is lost at sea or broken up at unsea
worthy.she is uot only subjected to the perils of the
deep, but to a host of other perils, charges aud exao
tious, which are. In the aggregate, much worse. She is
is taxed not only in the raw material, but ill her capa
city, and she has to pay a round sum for getting this
capacity surveyed. Pilots, hospital stewards, custom
house officers and Port Wardens regard her as a legiti
mate prey to be plucked whenever occasion odors.
There are fees and charges tor doing things and for not
doing things. The list of port charges eat up a large
share ot the proilte. and when compared with the rival
mice of transportation by rail, the railroad corpora
tions, which are powerful and will not submit to indis
criminate plucking, have infinitely the advantage. The
fiurtof Philadelphia cannot afford to run the risk nf
osing her coal trade by continuing unnecessary exac
tions, in return for which no apparent service is ren
dered, and which are contrary to the Constitution,
when Klizabethporl and other rival coal suipoin ports
in the neighborhood of States Island are now mating
uch ttrenuous exertions to undermine Philadelphia s
roal trade, and invite vessel to come there tree, of all
'Iff from this Port Wardens' fee to a coal veaunl
that makes twenty trips a year will be no small advau
tage. Becognlzing the necessity of relieving the trade
from every needless expense, the Pennsylvania Legisla
ture has already exempted colliers, from the payment of
pilotage fees in the Delaware river; and nowhere can
there be found a good reason for collecting these War
dens' fees, which are eoutrary to the Constitution, aa
already shown. They are Dot only unnecessary and
illegal, but are collected for no eeteuaible service. The
sight ot a Port Wardon or Harbor Master along the
wharves discharging his duties is one of those rare
events that would. Indeed, be a sight ior sore eyes.
Captains have traded to this port for twenty year and
have never seen one of these mythical personages. One
vessel belonging to the Association baa paid 9360 In
Wardens' fees, and baa never yet received any service
in return. For the many thousands oi dollars thus paid
in fees, the only return made has probably beeu an oc
casional adjustment of a quarrel between the masters of
vessels about berths at the wharves, a dispute which
anv sensible man eould at any time settle by reading
the port regulations. So small and light are the duties
of the Wardens the chlof ones beiug the collection of
these fees and attendance at a monthly meeting, where
the official labors are supplemented by creature com
forU that at a lute meeting of the Board ot Wardens
one of their number offered to run the whole machine
for SUM a year. Arduous labors like thee probably
iuVht to be aid for at the rate of many thousands of
dollars a year Wardens fees, in audition to the appro
kiuduesa of
we admit
T. w h some one's duty lo control tue port. and
that mav rest aa well in thehauds of the Harbor Master
and Wardens as anywhere else. We do uot object
ither to having them fairly paid; bnt we cannot see
whv the Harbor Master and Muster Warden should re
ceive nay us large as that ot the President of the Lulled
Htates nor why a special interest should alone bear this
exorbitant charge. It is levied only on the vessels, not
noton shipoers.ore nsiguees.or pilots, or wharfingers.
ti.a vessel oiily i liable. In all other oases where ser
vices are dore for Philadelphia the persons perloming
them are caid out of the public treasury, not by exac
tion, from special Interests. As well might a pollcemsn
ioHect . from each Market street merchant for
strolling that street. It would be very absurd if a
RrHn constable should eollect a fee from every foot pas
seSger ?oi keeping the sidewalks clear but no more
absurd than fof the Harbor Master to collect a fee from
SverTvessel for keeping the harLor clear.
The vessel owners and captains are anxious to have
thiaIputed Question settl.d. They believe the eollee
iinn of this tax to be illegal for the reason already
stated aid are anxiou to have It decided by tbeOourts.
Vh onl way Is to refuse payment and have ilsuedfor:
and they have repeatedly but unsueoesslul 1 , attempted
to Vet the Wardens to enter suit tor it, m that the
l?gaUty of the tax may be tested. They arewllling to
LlSde by the decision of the proper legal authorities,
and iff the case is decided against them will cheerfully
!vthefees7 If, on the contrary, the collection of the
Ui is wrong, they want to be and should be relieved
from it To bring tlie question to the Court the only
.roDer test, the Vessel-owner and Captain. Assocla
fion Tha adopted the resolution, "That the Captain,
if vessels belonging to the ' Vessel-owner. 'and Cap.
tains' Association' be requested not to pay any more
ilarbo? Master' or Port Wardens 'fee. at the port of
Philadelphia '' They intend to pay no more fee. until
the ease ii decided, and by the decision they will abide.
This statemeut is submitted to the public on behalf of
the ..VKHSHI.-OWNBK8 AND CAPTAINS' ASSOCI
vflOH " JOHN W. KVKRMAN, President.
ATIvfl. HKNBK MAY. Vice President.
CHAS. B. BTKBI.MAN, Secretary.
BKNKY R. KDMCNDH, Solicitor.
PHILIP ITTZPATBICK, Treasurer.
uoxho Of siBKoroaa.
John H. Allen,
Joseph Bsyniore,
A. II. Cain.
Joel Cook, Jr..
Francis Kd wards,
O. H. Kdwards,
K T. HalliwelU
John W. Hall,
H. ftiokmsn.
Manuel MoKhsin,
William Moore, Jr
A. H. Pharo,
I. 8. Htewoa,
K1U Homers,
Jeremiah Smith,
William Koiuers,
Ueorge W. Shepherd, Jr.,
Oeorse A. TwilnU.
Jacul Walker.
nation oi saw" j-"
Jnnronriatiou bill, at HarnsWg, by the
the Wardens' Lents stive menus.
,"i?'E1J,i aholition of this office: for
JOHN W A
O IOT
818 CHESNUT
THE
CHESNUT STREET
FinoHl XfcoiMly-TXfirtlo Olotliiiii?
' "AND
FASHIONABLE f AUORINC.
DEPARTMENT OF READY-MADE CLOTHING.
The design of this Department, in to furnish a Finer Class of matin
up Garments than, Philadelphia trade has heretofore supplied.
IYT ATX RIALS TJSED.-r flMstof Home Manufactures and
the latest foreign. Importations. All the novelties in, Hprin Goods
and choicest selections of texture and patterns.
STYXiS OP ttAJXJl-TJT,AU garments rut in, the best awl most
fashionable modes, and JinisheiiT with a degree of care and. tasto
that make them very unlike and superior to wmI is commonly un
derstood by "Heady-made Clothing. "
WOnnMANJjnir.-o) bub the best. The Tailors employed in,
th is Departmen t will be on ly such as could work- on live- finest custom
work, good sewing, no ripping, or buttons coming off.
All gen tlemen who would, a void lh delay of ordinary clothes' and,
the necessarily higher price of custom work, are here offered Gar
ments m uch superior to the
Ordinary Run of Ready-Made Clothing.
Hie public are invited to examine our JfXW BROWN-STOJCK
B UILDIJV G. and our FI11ST AND FINEST STOCK.
SPEOIAL. NOTICES.
jjjgy NOTICE. I AM NO LONGER Ex
tracting Teeth without pain for the Oitou 0tUwil
Association. Persons winning teeth ettraoted absolutely
without psin by fresh Nitrous Oxide tins, will find meat
No. 1 0 i7 WAlJfU T Street. Charges suit all.
laSam DR. F.Ji. THOMAR
Bgr COFFEES ROASTED ON A NEV7
Principle, retuining all the aroma and true flavor, are
tiie best. Oa sale by
FAIRTHORXK 4 CO.,
No. '20S N. m.VTH and
1 80 stuthdm No. lUJti MARKKT Street.
H- T. T. T.
TRFiflO'S TKAKKRRT TOOTHWASH preserves
and whitens the Teeth, invigorates slid soothes tpe Gums,
purines aud erfumes the Hreeth( prevents accumulation
of Tartar, cleans and purities Artificial Teeth, is a sujierior
article for Children.
It is used and recommended for general use by numerous
Dentist aud Physicians. Proprietor,
A. M. WILSON. Chemist and Dniggixtv
NINTH aud r IJ.UKK 1' Mreets.
Kr sale by all Druggista. lu stuth 1m
jjfc- HAVE A GOOD HAT; TIIEliKCRET
of your looks
lies with the beaver in Canadian brooks.
Virtue may flourish in an old cravat.
Rut man and nature scorn the shocking hat.
The place to get the '"good I Lit," Mr, Holmes should
have aodod, is R. S. WALTON'S New Establishment, No.
lax; MARK KT Mtreot, second bouse uliove Tenth.
One ot the finest assortments of BOYS' HATS to be
foundinthe city. i la 2w A
8AFE DEPOSIT OOMPANY.
E
M
O
OK
THE SAFE DEPOSIT COMPANY
TO
ThtAr New Hre and Burajlau-proof DuildliiK,
Nos. 329 and 331 CHESNUT Street,
Which will bo open for the transaction. of bustneas
ON THURSDAY, APRIIs 8, 1869.
The Fidelity Insurance, Trust and
Safe Deposit Company.
CAPITAL, $500,000, FULL PAID.
,DIBKOTORfl.
N. B. BROWNn I EDWARD W. CLARK.
CLARKNCK H. CLARK, ALMXAJiDRR HKNKT.
JOHN WKUH, 1 ii. A. OALUVTrWJ,
OHAa MACAUWTRR. OHOROH k TYLKH.
HKNKT C. OLB60JI.
President N. B. HUOWNH
Vlce-Preaideat-CLAKKNCH H. CLARK,
beoreuuy and Treasurer KOB KttT PATTKRSON,
The Company have provided In their new Building and
Vaults absolute security against loss by FIKK, BUIV
OLAHY, or ACCIDKNT, and v
RKCIXVK SKOURITIK8 AND VALUABLRS ON DK-
POSIT UNDKR GUARANTOR,
TTpom the following rates, for one year or leaa period
Government and all other Coupon ftecu-J
ritiea, or those trsnoferrable by de- $1-00 per $MM
livey )
Government and all other Securities
registered and negotiable only by ea- H " IOM
dorsement ..)
Cold Coin or Bullion " loaf
Hirer Coin or Bullion tvt " lyo
Hilver or Gold Plate, under anal, onj
owner's estimate of, value, aud rate ltO " 1SS
subwet to sdjuetinent for bulk )
Jewelry, LKamonda, etc tS " Hot
Deeds, Mortguirea, and VsiuabUt Paper generally, wnea
of no fixed value, $1 a year each, or according to bulk.
These latter, when deposited in Tin Boxes, are charged
according to bulk, upon basis o l)t feet cubic oapacity,
a! 10 a year.
Coupons and Interest will ba collected when desired, sad
remitted to tha owners, fur one per cent.
The Company offer for R KNT, the lessee exclusively hold,
mg the key, hafes inside its Burglar-proof
Vaults, at rates varying from 'JO to
lUTS each per annum, so.
oording to size.
PvpoMTtsof Money received, on which Interest will be al
lowed ; 3 per cent, on Cell Deposit, payable by
Check at sight, and 4 per eent. on Time
Deposit, payable on ten days' notion,
This Company is also authorized to art as Kseoutora,
Administrators, and Guardians, to receive and execute
Trusts of every description from tho Courts, eorporaUona
or individual
N. B. BROWNK, President.
ROBERT PATTKRfiON,
HecreUry snd Treasures'. 4 6 tutas4p2nt
I
DlTV a T TflTf rP BirTl'TrVfl TAD
1 BUCK! V. made by Cole, New Bedford (originator of
Dole box"), esuumiioiT nnuuea. lo ue seen at Diablo,
back oi No.
$5000
TO LOAN ON MORTGAGE.
Ajiply U
I tWIH It UUI1MUU
e.7WAXLrlwet.
W A r.l A It E R,
III 13Tt,
STREET. 823
NEW
ESTABLISHMENT
Foa
CHROMOS.
QHROMO EXPOSITION.
J AS. S. EAIUJB rSc SONS'
IaOOHIMJ ;iSS WARKUOOinH
an a
VKKK tJAM.KKY OF PAlSTViUH,
IVo. 81 OlifMiiut Htreet.
Now open, an extremely Interesting exhibition, prepareel
to explain the method of producing rhromns, and te snow
their remarkable iidnlity to tlie oruunals, giriag afoa
an wor to tlie oit-reieated question, "Vhst are Chromes'"
With this view are puired, ,!' by ride, several promraesst
erigiual paJntings, and the ehmtnos from them, ter oaratnt
couipsnHca, among whicii are :
Whlttlcr'N "Ilurefoot Hoy.
lilt i-Htalt,M " t'uUl'orula Hmm.
Lfinmfn'H lonllry Trtl.
Xuit'H "Uroup of Chlrkrna"
XuifH "roiip ot'tnullM.
llrichcrM "Auluuiu In lVlilt
?IountnliiN.
Ir. IJllj M. Spencfr'n "It lack.
berries,' unci ot Iter.
At present are exposed in the show window, on Chesssat
street, the ongiiuti pointing and enrorao of LAKK LU
ZKKNR, by TnebeL Copies ot tills snd sll other Chronen
always tor sale, lly special arrangenumt wo now make a
soie i
reduction in the nrioo. oTpHA NU'H )H Rl iMlMi
H luinrai
Group of Chickens or Quails, each .MIS
Kix American landHcsiee, each. ,flUi
Autumn, Kxopus leek itt
Tho Poultry Yard , tit
f lorreggio's Magdalen fit)
The Kid's Pbrnfruund Ji. 41st
"A Friend in Need'' 41
Raster Morning t ga
Whittier's "Barefoot Boy" I'lfe
Hunlight in Winter. (t a
BierstadVa Calilornia Kume T in
Horses in a Stoi m '
The Two krieods fit
The Cnooafieious Nleeper 4'sft
Boyhood of Lincoln . fas
Grown of New i.ngland H-fa
And all other at the same rates, l all UsUand pricea
and Prang's "JOURNAL OV POPULAR ART," oa a.
pboajtioO; 4 fa bijrp
CLOTHING.
c
A R D,
We will open oaf NEW 8TORK,
No. 830 MAEKET STBEET,
FOll BUKINKSS,
On TTmrsday Morning, 15th In at,
Wltlt a reiy large and superior stock oi'
MES'S,
BOYS', AND
CHILDREN'S CLOTHING.
And atno a very handnome stork of
PIECE GOODS
For Customer Trade.
Toe pobUo lu ovncral are Invited to call and exam
ine theBC goods. Whether yoa want to buy or not,
come.
A. BROWN & CO.,
"So. 830 MAEKET STREET.
W. BROWN & CO.
Will cont inue buainetut at the Old Stand,
Birthplace of Liberty Building,
NO. 700 MARKKT STREET,
UJ? PHILADELPHIA.
FINANCIAL.
D R E X E L & CO.,
KO. 34 SOUT;H THIRD STREET.
Araericuii uiid loreiffii
Iaawo xraAsi and xttrra nf Credit AnUU
Tbrwunhout Kursps. '
pBKXx,WnrrirROP4Co.,iDBHi1, HabvM 4 Co.,
New York. I Pwi.
I104-.