The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-02
WASHINGTON
ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO EVENING TELEGRAPH.
WASHINGTON, April 2.
Movement to Test the Constitute altty
of the Military RECOMMENDATION Act.


of the Military Reconstruction Act.
1t is in con temptation by several Southern
legal advisers to test the econstitutionality ofthe
Military Reconstruction act, by bringing an
issue directly before the Supreme Court
ments have already been drawn up and
have been duly signed by the petitioners,
praying an injunction against General Pope.
commanding one of the Southern Military
Districts. and against Andrew Johnson, a citi-
zen of Tennessee and President of the United
States, restraining them from enforcing said
act on the ground that 1t is unconstitutional,
and therefore void and Of no effect. 1t is not
preme Court, the application, for this
counsel who have been applied to have not
yet given their opinion as to the feasibility
of the step. ReveTdy Johnson maintains that
the motion for an injunction will be denied at
once, on the ground that the Supreme Court
has not original jurisdiction in such case. In
his opinion the case will have to come up from
a lower tribunal on appeal before the highest
Other legal authority consulted to-day assumes
the ground that the Injunction ISl is asked asked
for by citTens OF shs URit9d tates
and and that that therefore, original jurisdic-
tion in the case does not lie under section Sc:
cond, article third of the Constitution. Should
there be concurrence of opinion among
constitutional lawyers against this question
S5 for the Pfnanotion may not present Il to
the Supreme Court, but will await case
now being made up In AlexandriS, IA VITginiia,
Court OF this State on a regular appeal to the
Supreme Court of the United states. All OF the
executives of the ten Southern States but three
have been consulted, and give their consent to
any proceeding that will test the. constitu-
Patton, of Alabama, however, declines to take
any action in the premises, and Is represented
as being in favor of the law.
The Russian American Treaty.
The Russo-A american treaty for the convey
ance of the Russian American and the Russian
Archipelago to the United States Government
was extensively discussed In tne Senate bf Oo M
conclusion was reached thereon. The Commit
tee will probably report on the subject on We'd
aticaI' Being a piece of Mr.. Stewards diplo-
mocy gives it no particular favor in that
body, though a number Of leading Radi-
ffaVS, favor the project. There are not wanting
those however. who promptly = aSsaM IL 1SS as a
| il really was "job," would scramble and quar-
/ rel over their share Of plumber. The great COM
| mercial advantages are universally admitted
and shrewd diplomats and financiers regard 1t
| as Of great Importance to this country that
having substantially lost the commerce OF The
/ Atlantic it should promptly seize all the COM
Il mercial resources of the Pacinc. AS tar as
/ other Legation has yet committed suicide be-
| cause Of the development OF this plan'
| Personal.
| Hon. Sylvester Mowry, OF Arizona, is in
Washington, looking after Arizona and Mexl-
can affairs.
Registration OF COIOred Voters.
The registry of voters in the Third Ward
commenced yesterday. In this, as in the First
and Second W ards, the registered blacks largely
| preponderate over the whites, thus atfording
| unmistakable indications that, owing to the
| apathy of the whites, the blacks will control
the next municipal election.
The Public Debt.
| The monthly debt statement for April l will
! be issued at the close of the present week. 1t
| will show a reduction in the aggregate amount
OF the national debt of $l5, 900 000 1t will also
| show that the conversions Of seven -thirties for
| the month have been very heavy, and that the
| coin balance in the Treasury will be even
| slightly increased, Notwithstanding the sales
| and heavy interest payments during the month.
| THE amount OF contraction is not determined
| upon by the Secretary.
The Union Pacific Railway.
| The investigation ordered by the House on
| Saturday last regarding the Union Pacific Rail.
| way Company is based upon the memorial OF
| Edward Larned, Esq, of New York. ana relates
| entirely to that branch of the read known as
| the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division
/ and formerly as the Leavenworth, Pawnee, and
| Western Railroad Company. The Omaha line
| is in no manner affected by 1t.
A Bill Not signed.
The only bill which was not signed by the
| President was bill placing certain regiments
l of Missouri troops on the same footing. at
| reRards bounty, ETC.. with other volunteers. II
WAS passed in time, but being mislaid In asena'