The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-11
THE ORESCENT's DISPATCHES.
FROM WASHINGTON.


The Probable Action of fthe Supreme Court
on the Reconstruction Aets-The Nc
Csrdle Case-The Case OF Captured Pro-
perty-The Gaze of the Session Of Certain
Counties TO West virginia-Proceedings OF
COBgress-Juoge Trimble, OF Kentucky,
Sworn Is-Buresu Disbursements.
WASHINGTON. Jan. lO-Proceedings in the su-
preme Court are attracting intense interest. The
impression that the bench will decide adversely TO
the coDstitutionality of the reconstruction acts
gains ground. To-day Judge Black moved that q
day be appointed for hearing ear purte McCardle,
but Mr.. stanbery objected TO arguing the case on
behalf of the government, because he had written
an opinion sustaining the other side. The matter
was deferred. upon Mr.. 5tanbery' suggestion, until
the government could arrange to appear by some
other counsel.
This case Is that Of Colonel McCardle, the edl-
tor, of Vicksbnrg. Mississippi, who wasimprisoned
by General Ord.
A decision in the case is looked for at an early
day, and the impression is very general that q
writ will be granted, which would virtually set
aside the law.
The second ease involves the constitutionaIity
Of the law by which Congress authorized the sale
Of captured property and directed proceeds to be
paid into the treasury at the same time providing
that claimants might; at the end Of two years,
bring suit for recovery through the court of
claims.
This case comes MP through the action Of owners
of lot Of cotton. who brought suit directly against
the officer making the seizure. This latter person
pleads the law as his defense.
What is known as the Virginia case affects the
mode in which Congress can proceed In ratifying
contracts between States. 1t comes into court on
motion Of the parties representing Virginia and
claiming the cession Of the counties of Berkley
and Jefferson TO West Virginia Is not valid, al
though ratified by Congress. The State OF West
Virginia provided for receiving these counties
upon the consent Of Virginia being given. This
consent was obtained and Congress was asked to
ratfy the contract. Before the action of this
~ "A al Nth kar
consent, but Congress paid no attention TO this
ton end proceeded to ratify the agreement. Vir-
ginia claims that such action unconstitutional,
and comes into the Supreme Court to test it.
Senate Proceedings were unimportant until
the House bill suspending the contraction Of the
currency came up. An amendment that nothing
in this or any existing act shall be construed to
increase the United States currency, except the
fifty millions OF revenue notes already authorized,
was defeated by IL TO 80. The bill was discussed
70 adjournment.
HCuse.-The bill creating new commission OF
five on whisky meters passed.
The Kentucky election case came up, and after
three hours discussion, Judge Trimble was sworn
in. Adjourned.
An uffcal letter from General Howard states
that the bureau disbursements from January lst,
1865. TO January lst, 1865, were s., ,959 900, and
the funds on hand s., 10000.
The reconstruction committee had their meet
iDRs this week; they are tolerable sure TO report
anew bill at an early day, in accordance with
ufeCuODe OF the fesOlutOnS introduced on Mon.
day, by Upson and Bouttrell.
The judgment Of the committee is fully settled
that the work Of reconstruction must be put more
directly under control of Gen. Grant This Is re-
gsrded as certain. They are also considering the
proposition of UpsOn to allow the removal of the
present State officers and the appointment Of their
successors by the reconstru etion conventions. IL
is not yet certain that they will adopt this scheme
though tits strongly favored by some members
II Ia confidently stated that the radicals have
agreed upon bill requiring two.thirds of the Su-
preme Court to concur before pronouncng any
aet of Congress unconstitutional. In this connec-
tOn ii is stated with equal confidence that the
pending questions. involving the cOnstitutionality
Of the reconstruction acts, will be postponed
until Congress takes the proposed action.
Internal receipts to- day $56S 900.
Charles G.. Greene, editor Of the Boston Post,
has been nominated assistant U. s. treasurer at
Boston.
Gen. Pope is here.
ne following is the text of the whisky bill
passed by Congress and sent to the president:
"Be IL enacted, ETC., That from and after this
date distilled spirits shall be withdrawn or re-
moved from any warehouse for the purposes OF
transportation, rectifcation, change of package,
expectation, or for any other purpose whatever,
until the full tax on said spirits shall have been
paid, and sll acts and paris Of acts inconsistent
with the provisions hereof are hereby repealed,
The following States have adopted the consti-
tutioDsl amendment, known as the fourteenth
article New Hampshire, Connecticut, Tennessee,
New jersey. Oregon, Vermont, New York, Ohio
Illinois, West Virginia. Kansas, Nevsds. Missouri.
Indiana. Minnesota, Rhode Island, Wisconsin,
Michigan, Massachusetts and Nevada.