The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-03

TIE JAMES ADGER EXCURSIONISTs--Los or
TIE CABLE.-Our readers will see, from ex-
tracts which we publish from the st. Johns,
n. F. journals, that the excursionists on
board the steamer James Adger had a very
pleasant time while in that port. A splen-
did banquet was given on board to the
most prominent inhabitants of st. Johns,
who returned the compliment by grand
ball and supper on subsequent evening.
Everything seems to have been conducted
on liberal scale, and the entertainment
passed off most pleasantly
The James Adger, after this interchange Of
inequalities with the good people OF st.
Johns proceeded to Port au Basque. After
having been two days engaged in laying the
cable, the remainder of it was, as our readers
are already aware, lost, probably in a gale Of
wind, when about forty miles from the New
foundland coast. This unfortunate comYe,ea,ps
has neccssitated the temporary abandonment
OF the enterprise. By telegraphic despatch
received from Halifax, N. s., we learn that
the James Adger had arrived at Sydney, Cape
Breton on Tuesday last, and was 10 leave
next day for New York, where she will proba-
bly, arrive on Wednesday next.
This unsuccessful termination OF an enter
prise conceived and carried out with SO mnch
spirit ana liberality, is much to be regretted.
The expenses of the trip of the James Adger
alone must have exceeded $50, 900, to say no.
thing Of the concurrent outlay, or Of the loss
resulting TO the company from the postpone
mcnt Of The realization Of their enterprise.
1t is only postponement, however. Next
year the company will renew the undertaking,
and, let us hope, with complete success. In
connection with this subject we may state that
tic Merlin rock at the entrance Of st. Johns
harbor, has been removed by blasting, and the
soundings now show twentyseven feet below
ordinary low water mark
No INFORMATION THERE A few days since
we published paragraph headed Informa-
ton Wanted and calling attention to the dis
crepancy in some of the printed copies Of the
constitution, by which the impression was con-
veyed that no United States official could &C
cept a present from any foreign government.
| The Commercial -Adrotisy, of Buffalo, and the
! dryus, of Albany, take occasion hcreupon to
remark on what they call our ignorance, and
only make the matter still more involved by
quoting the last clause of the 9th section of the
first article Of the constitution -. No title of
nobility shall be granted by the United States
and no person holding any Office Of profit or
trust under them, shall, without the consent Of
Congress, accept of any present. cmolument
Office, or title of any kind whatever, from any
king, prince or foreign State"
Now, the point that we made was that no one
was debarred from accepting such presents by
the failure Of an amendment, which is thus ,lcs-
cribed in a foot note to some editions of the
constitution =
In the edition Of the laws Of the United States before
referred TO- there Is an amendment printed article
thirteen prohibiting citizens from accepting titles
bi'y or honor, presents or oices &c. from foreign
uons. But, ny message from the President Of the
Unite" States Of the 9TH OF February 1918 in answer
resolution Of tho House of Representatives appears
that this amendment had only been ratified by twelve
states and, therefore, had not been adoptedsce vol
w. of he printed papers of the fifth Congress, No. 70
Now, our point was that the failure of this
amendment rendered the previous provision
null and void, because officials might accept
any title or present as citizens, although not
in their official capacity. An oliceholder might
bc brihcd to do an act Of constructive treason,
itNiRh. anu thcH acScpI Llt reward, iHu tnl-
was probably the view taken Of the matter
when the amendment last named was introduce
ed. We contend that its failure renders the
clause in The first article altogether useless
because, though an oficcboldcr might resign
without hesitation for something better under
another government, he would think twice be-
fore doing an act which would deprive him of
his rights as citizen.
When we next desire information about the
constitution and the law we shall not apply to
either of the journals above mentioned Their
light is not brilliant enough to guide our feet.
JtnGE EINorE STANDING Ills Groryp.-It
appears that at q recent public meeting In
kansas, Judge Elmorc was present, conc Of the
Territorial officials lately dismissed on charge
of land specializing, to cover over the removal
~ Rac.fpr \ IA hot La. II.