Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1898 — THE FIRST CASE. [ARTICLE]

THE FIRST CASE.

Cashier of Express Company Held to Grand Jury for Failure to Put Stamp on Bill of Lading. Ottumwa, la., July 18. United States Commissioner Hunter hasdecided for the first time in any court, criminal or civil, the question of whether express companies or the shipper must pay the one-cent revenue tax to be attached to the receipt. He held that the company must pay the tax under the law and holds the cashier of the local office of the Adams Express company, arrested on the charge of violating the revenue law, to the federal grand jury. United States District Attorney Miles represented the United States in the hearing and the attorney for the express company will apply for a writ of habeas corpus before United States Judge Woolson, who will be asked to pass judgment on the commissioner’s decision early next week.