The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-05-04
LATEST NEWS
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
SATURDAY. Morning, May 4 1867.
From, WasisingtOn.

w ASHlNGTON. ~ W
In the Supreme Court of the United States
to-day, Hon. Robert j. Walker, the Nlssis;siPp,
injunction case being before the Cour!' sa,u no
believed constitutional liberty ana sen en-,
ment were now upon trial yea, upon nstartu n,,S
trial and il was to be decided Tor posterity ana
for all the world whether the written constr
tuition were parchment scrolls, whether they
We're words written in SAND, 10 NC swept away
by the first angry surge OF popular passion
which NAV roll over them, and whether they
could he eyaded by technical issues or plea of
want of Jurisdiction. The learned gentleman
defended the President from the attacks of a
part of the secession press, showing that, al
though the Executive may veto bill. il can
become law by subsequent action of the two
Houses OF Congress, in passing it by the requi-
site two-thirds majority. 1t was then an act
just as much as if the President had approved
1t. The President, after these proceedings, in
accordance with the Constitution, had no dis
erection; he must execute the law. This being
the fact, the question rose whether Congress
mad power to pass an act beyond the range OF
judicial inquiry. This, Mr.. Walker denied
and argued that the Constitution provided for
such cases as this to be brought into the Court,
IN order that their constitutionality may be de-
termlned. In replying to Attorney General
Stanberry's remarks of last Friday, Mr.. Walk
er maintained that political questions had not
been excluded from this Court, and in support
OF this position he referred, among other and
more recent cases, to the military commission
and test oath questions, upon both OF which
the supreme Court pronounced their opinions
Mr.. Walker quoted various decisions to
show in further refutatiOn OF the Attorney
Generals views that this Court has jurisdlc-
ton in cases not involving money and land;
and, III conclusion while speaking OF the des-
potic and wholesale sweeping out OF ten states
Of the Union by the reconstruction act, as d.
rectly contrary to the Constitution OF the U NJ
ted States, said that a broader bill of attain
der, and pains and penalties had never been
passed. It reduced ten millions Of loyal and
disloyal people to territorial bondage, and sub
stituted the cleaning sword and the Drlsthng
bayonet for constitutional guards and the
courts of law. The argument on each side was
as heretofore, limited to two hours, but MIR.
Walker was permitted by the Court without
interruption to speak more than an hour be-
the questions involved, and the points pre-
scented. There was a large attendance of audi
tors including many lawyers of distinction,
during the delivery of Mr.. Walkers argument.
When Mr.. Walker had finished his remarks,
1T wanted twenty minutes to three O'Clock,
that hour being the usual time for adjourn
ment. After consultation, the Court said they
could hear Attorney General Stanberry in re-
ply on Monday, to which time the Court ad-
jOurned. l.,
The Japanese Commissioners, accompanied
by Secretary Seward, arrived at the Executive
Mansion this morning, shortly before the hour
of the Cabinet meeting, and were presented to
the President, who received them in one OF
was present. The interview was of that for
NAL character with which the introduction OF
foreign commissioners or diplomats from any
foreign country, is conducted. The chief COM
missioner, who was clad in the official costume
OF his rank, upon being introduced by Secre-
tary Seward, made short address to the
President of the United States, in which he
stated his happiness at meeting him and con-
veyed to him kind expressions from the Ty-
coon. The credentials of the Commissioner
were read in the original and translated to the
President, who expressed to them the pleasure
he experienced III having met them. The par
ticular object of the mission will be conveyed
to the Government, through the Secretary Of
State, to whom the Commissioners will com
municate it at an early day. At the conclu
sion of the interview, which lasted only about
twenty-five minutes, the Commissioners were
conducted through the various public rooms OF
the Executive Mansion. The Japanese intend
remaining here for some time.
Secretary Stanton having recovered from
his recent Illness attended cabinet meeting
to-day. All the other members were present.
with the exception OF Secretary Browning
who, the ugh improved in health, is still con-
The receipts from internal revenue to-day
were about 81 100000.
Judgh Underwood was in town to-day, in
consultation with Attorney General Stanber-
ry, relative to the business connected with
the writ of habeas corpus sued out for bring
ing JEFF. Davis before the Circuit Conrt at
Richmond.
Gen. Ord has issued an order appointing
registers of elections in certain counties in
Mississippi. He gives instructions similar to
those of Gen. Sheridan, viz: that the disfran-
chising clause of the reconstruction act is to
be strictly construed, pending. the decision Of
the Attorney General of the United States
The registers in bankruptcy have not yet,
but sosn will be appointed. On inquiry to-
day, it was ascertained that the intention is to
officially inform the Judges of the respective
Courts from time to time, of the appointments,
press. 49,. r-rs ,
Accounts from Macon, Ga state that Gov
jenkins brought to Georgia a subpoena from
the U. s. Supreme Court, in the Georgia
case, and had it served on General Pope when
lanta, last week. Gen. Pope replied that he
would obey the order of the Court.