Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet., 1867-01-17
T E L E G r A p FL IC.
Foreign and Domestic.

PARIS, Jan. ID, noon.-There is a vague
rumor, but not confirmed, that desperate
plot to assassinate the Emperor Napoleon
| has been discovered and frustrated by the
| officials.
ST. PETERsBURG, Jan. 14.-The Govern
ment of Russia has ordered general am
nesty for all offences committed by the
newspaper press of the Empire.
BEBNE, Jan. 14.-The Swiss Govern
| ment has under consideration a PROPOSE
ton to prohibit the people of Switzerland
| from joining the Pope's army.
LIVERPOOL, Jan. ID, evening.-Cotton
sales did not reach the noon estimate.
Total sales reached about 5000 bales.
Notwithstanding dullness in prices Mid
ding Uplands remain firm at 14$4d.
ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 13.-The Gar and
members Of tho Imperial Court, were pre-
sent at ball lately given in the aid of the
suffering families of the Cretans.
WAsHINGToN; Jan. 14.-The President
has nominated Senator Cowan as Minister
to Austria, his term in the Senate expires
on the 4th Of March next.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.--Associate Justice
Field to-day delivered the opinion of the
United States Supreme Court in the Mis-
souri, test oath cases. John A. Cummins,
u Roman Catholic Priest, who was in
dicted for preaching and teaching without
taking the oath prescribed by the Consttu-
ton of that State, being plaintiff in error,
the Court decides that the test oath in this
case is unconstitutional, being in the ma
ture of punishment without trial, and is
IN its character eE post facto, and as a bill
Of attainder. The judgment of the Court
is reversed, with directions that the plain
tiff should depart without delay.
Associate Justice Field also delivered an
opinion of the Court in the ex parte cases
Of Garland and Mari who, having taken
part in the rebellion, ask to be re admitted
to practice. The Court holds that as q
statute imposes punishment which may
not have been punishable at the time the
offense was committed it is in its nature
an ex post facto law. Attorneys are not
officers of the United States; they are Off
GERS of the Court and hold their offices
during their good behavior. The Court is
not the register of the edicts of any other
power. The applicants obtained a pardon
from the President which relieves them
from the consequences of offense and
makes the citizen in the eye of the law
what he was before it was committed.
Congress cannot limit. The prerogative
of mercy cannot be fettered by legislative
restriction. If followed, the prayer of the
petitioner must be granted, and also the
prayer of Mr.. Mari. The rule which re-
quires attorneys to take the test oath must
be rescinded and the order is made ac-
cordingly. Associate Justice Miller for
himself, Chief Justice Chase and Asso-
crates Swayne and Davis read dissenting
opinion.
The Committee on Territories have in
structed Ashley to report his amendment
to the bill to re establish a civil Govern
ment in North Carolina as substitute for
Stevens now before the House.
HousE.-A bill was introduced and re-
ferred to the Committee on Ways and
Means to repeal so much of the internal
revenue act as imposes a tax on unmanu-
cotton.
New YORK, Jan. 14.-Cotton less active.
Sales 600 bales Midding Uplands 3418 to
35. Gold advanced to l84H at close.