MORE CIGAR SMOKING. - The tariffs on cigars are pretty high, and some of our importers of the article have found the seizure and condemnation of their goods, on account of false invoices, a still more onerous tax upon the honest industry of smugglers. But the seventh vial of revenue wrath was poured out on Friday -- unlucky day -- in the form of suits in the United States District Court, against several importers of cigars, who are charged with having, for years past, been in the habit of entering their goods by invoices sworn to as true, while the value of the goods was much above the amount stated in said invoices. Some of the invoices date back three years. Suits are brought for the full value of the goods. Each invoice furnishes grounds for a separate complaint. Some thirty odd complaints are filed against each of the firms named below, viz: R. E. Auger, $58,619.12; L. Wertheimer, $62,459.95; J. Frank & Co., $148,386.13; L. Weil & Co., $163,370.35; James Patrick & Co., $234,609.67; A. S. Rosenbaum, $524,039.27. Total, 1,196,484,49. Should these suits, or any considerable portion of them, hold, some folks will smoke, very decidedly.
[Transcribed from microfilm, p. 1. -- Note: "seventh vial of wrath" is from the book of Revelations in the Bible.]
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PROGRESS OF THE CAMANCHE - THE LIBEL. - The work on the Camanche progresses steadily, and already the immense proportions of the vessel begin to show themselves. The keel is laid, the stem and stern post up, the floor timbers (iron) on, and the iron plates that form the garboard streak of the steamer in place. The labor performed is surprising, considering the few days the contractors have been at work. A large and well-regulated body of mechanics and laborers are kept exceedingly busy, and apparently no one having a berth of the Camanche eats any idle bread. On Friday evening, an attachment issued from the United States District Court, sued out by the agent of the new York and other Underwriters, this gentleman being also agent for the Coast Wrecking Company, of which Captain Merritt, the wrecker, is principal. The serving of this libel did not then stay the work, but on Saturday morning the contractors were prohibited from going on, and seventy men, ready to open another day in building the boat upon which so much depends for the safety of our harbor, were left to sit round and look at each other, and, still more disagreeable to look at ample labor before them suffering for their exertions. Nothing daunted, the contractors bid all hands hold on and await the issue. In a brief period this unnecessary stopping of labor was set aside by an order from the proper authorities, and all hands sprung to work; the result being that nothing was gained by the suspension, and much lost, for, besides the loss of time on the Camanche, a worthy and hardy set of operatives went home with a fourth of a day docked from their earnings. It is much to be regretted that the public interests should be interfered with by law proceedings; and we trust that all concerned will so conduct their differences hereafter as to avoid all further sacrifice of great public interests. The spirit and zeal of the contractors, now that they have set to work, is worthy of all praise.
[transcribed from microfilm, p. 3.]
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TOO INFERNALLY ACCOMMODATING. - Some people are too infernally accommodating, altogether. There was an instance of this kind brought to light in the Police Court, yesterday. According to the story of Thomas McGuinne, he was going to be absent from the city for some time, and having every confidence in the trustworthiness of Mrs. Tierney, he asked her, as an accommodation, to take his money, amounting to one hundred and five dollars and fifty cents, "and keep it for him." She did it -- but in her accommodating enthusiasm, she insists upon going on keeping it till the crack of doom. Kindness is a good thing, but then it is possible to overdo it; or do it too much. The suit of McGuinne, now, is to make Mrs. Tierney disgorge that cash.
[transcribed from microfilm, p. 3.]
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