Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-01-15

Judge Trigg, of the United States Court in
tennessee. has given his opinion that the
law Of that state enfranchising the blacks is
not valid, on the ground that the legislature
exhausted its special power in respect to the
subject in enacting the first franchise law.
The telegraphic item does not state whether
this opinion was called for by the case before
the court, or whether it was an o6iter dictum
We suppose, however, that such a decision
is not binding unless made by the court of
the state, as such courts have final jurisdic-
ton of all questions of the constitutionality
OF state laws, except when the laws called in
question conflict with the constitution or
laws of the United States 1t is therefore
probable that negroes will continue to vote in
Tennessee, notwithstanding this opinion of
Judge Trigg.
GEN MEADE IN GEoKGIA.-Gen. Meade, it
is said, is rather looking to Gen. Grant than
to the President for instructions in his duties
as commander of the Department of Georgia.
He has already considerably surprised the
rebels by informing the convention that he
/ should see that their dcbentures were paid
the rebel state treasurer having hitherto re
fused to pay over monies on the order OF the
convention. He has, also, in a public speech,
declared that ne shall his discretionary
powers for the public good; which means,
evidently that he does not propose to become
what Gen. Hancock is, the instrument of
President johnson, and the servant of the
late rebels. Gen. Hancock, as yet, enjoys
the bad pre-eminence Of receiving the unre-
served praise of unreconstructed traitors.
/ Ii has been reported from Washington that
five of the eight judges of the Supreme Court
are of the opinion that the reconstruction
laws are unconstitutional \ case has recent
ly been brought before the court from Mis-
sissippi, which will prove whAt''~- ''.iN ~
port is true whenever decision is rem
dered upon it; although when that will be
| is now uncertain, the case has not yot
been argued. Attorney General Stanberv
declined to appear in court in support of the
laws, as he had given Mr.. Johnson writ
ten opinion that they were unconstitutional,
and the governments rather Congress
will appear by other counsel. We doubt
whathcr decision will be reached at pres
emit.
Tbs SUPREME CoURr.-A special telegram
from Washington gives the statement that
Congress will this week enact a law making
it necessary that at least two-thirds of the
judges of the Supreme Court shall concur in
any decision against the constitutionality of
L.. 6 NJ IL,
move of Congress against the project of de-
feating reconstruction by decision of the
court agreed to by a bare majority of the
judges.
Gen. Butler has proposed to the House
Committee of Ways and Means that he will
take the job of collecting the tax whiskey
two dollars gallon-and give the gov
eminent a million of dollars week, if he
can have the balance for doing the business.
! This is about twice what the government
now gets out of the tax, and about one half
: or less than half of what ought TO be col
:, lected.
Mr.. Woodbridge, of this State, made a
speech last week in the House, in which he
advocated a more vigorous enforcement OF
: the law taxing whiskey, and also took oc-
casion TO express his mind freely as to the
dement's of the Democratic party. We have
; as yet seen only brief Geographic summary
of the speech.
The committee of the Senate who have the
matter in charge, have agreed to report that
, Secretary Stanton was improperly suspended
from performing the duties of his Office by
Mr.. johnson. 1t is supposed that the Sen
ate Will endorse the report of the committee,
and insist that Mr. Stanton shall be restored
to his official position. What the Pres ident
will do in the case does mt yet appear, but
he will, probably, devise some sc heme to get
l the matter before the Supreme Court.
Vallandingham and Thurman are riva
Democratic candidates in Ohio for Wade s
, place in the United States Senate. Thurman
t is said to be politically as bad as Nallanding
p ham. and a much ADLER man, and it il
, thought he will be elected. The Republican,
of Ohio ought to be heartily ashamed o
themselves for allowing such a result TO b'
, possible.