New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-08

| AFFAIRS IN GERGIA.
| lBY TELEGfPn TO THE TRIBUNBI
| WELLINGTON. Monday, Feb 7, 1870
The decision in themportant cases long ago argued
before the Supreme burt involving by application the
constituuonsty OF ID Legal Tender OF 1862, was
promulgated by theChief Justice to-day. The points
are substantially as ated in these dispatches a week
ago. The effect OF th decision is that far as the law
attempts to provide legal tender for the payment OF
debts existing before is PASSAGE 1t Is unconstitutional
and all debts exisn when those acts were passed must
be paid in gold and lver 1t decides nothing with ref
ereDce to contracts paid AFTER the passage of the law
The statement, however, which was read and fled as
Mr. Justice Griers pnion taken in connection with the
dissenting opiniond the three Judges leaves strong
Inference that as ne Court stood when Grier was in it,
the law would hav been held valid as contracts made
after its passage such had before the Court
Mr. Justice Miller prepared the dissenting opinion, winch
was concured IN by Justices Davis and swayne, and
which affirmed III. consttuuonalty Of the laws In ques
ton The three judges hold that the requirements OF the
Government at tic time OF the passage Of the acts made
the legal tender clause necessary and proper measure
10 enable the Government to carry war, raise ana sup
| port armies, borrow money, and pay the debts OF the
United States and that IL for Congress to determine
the degree and Of this necessity land not the
province OF the Court and shows by the history OF te
times that the position Of Congress and Its estimate OF
the countrs necessities just and proper The dissent
opinion spoken Of by those accustomed TO Judge Oh
such matters aone Of the abest delivered In the
Supreme Court. Attorney-Gen. Hoar, in private con-
versation, expressed his appreciation OF Judge MIXERS
opinion The effect Of the majority opinion is almost
universally discussed tonight among the leading lawyers
in both Houses and all sorts OF opinions are expressed
1t is pronounced OF the important decisions
that been rendered and many of the prominent
Republican Senators believe that the decision Will prove
DISASTROUS to the business Of the country as all the rail-
road corporations, County and State bonds ana all o'ner
obligations of individuals or associations, contracted
befoi the war; must be paid in gold and silver IL Is
also believed that it Will have the effect OF raising the
price oil geld and delay the day Of specie payment
The Way, and Means Committee at their meeting TO-
day, tool up the Tax bill, with view OF determining
the order In which the various propositions are 10 DC
considered strong pressure has been brought 10 Dear
on the Committee. to induce them to report against
| continuance Of the Income Tax. Although there mas
been expression Il opinion on the subject IT Is under
stood that amaory of the Committee are favorable 10
| its continuance, but in materially modified form
Action tins matter b. the Committee Will probably be
| delayed until all other questions are disposed or
| Final action has yet been taken by the Senate
Judiciary Committee the bill for the admission Oh
Mississippi The Committee have no official information
that the State has complied with the Reconstruction
laws and until they receive such information they VIII
! not report the bill 10 the Senate,
| The ratification OF the Fourteenth Amendment and
| fundamental conditions and Fifteenth Amendment by
Georgia. formally presented TO the House today by
Gen. Butler Chairman Of the Reconstruction COMMITTEE
and to the Senate by Gov. Morton Of Indiana. large
delegation of leading Republicans from Georgia.
| among them Mr. Conley, President OF the Senate Mr.
Tweedy Speaker prO ep) OF the House. Judges Parrot
Gibson. and Harold. John Rice Dr. Chft and Others
waited on the President to-day. by appointment The
present stairs 2 in 70
condition Of Georgia that the action OF Tgtso
ture the time Of the expulsion Of the coiored mem
bers, was TO be considered binding, but upon
reflection and a thorough examination of
the whole subject. he satisfied that
the present legislative organization must commence de
nopo and inquired who the Republicans intended to
elect as Senators The delegation replied that whoever
was regularly nominated by the the Republicans would
be elected that quite number OF names had been
spoken Of but nominations had yet been made.
The stated further that both himself and Gen.
sherman had entire confidence in the ability and judg
OF Gen. Terry, and that they were disposed TO ap
prove any recommendations made by him. The delega
ton replied expressing their own confidence In Gen.
Terry and that bis action had been and doubtless would
continue approved by the loyal men of the state
The resolutions of the Georgia Legislature. ratifylng
the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. were pre-
the Senate to-day and immediately referred TO
the Judiciary Committee, which has been considering
affairs in that State Gov. Bullock has returned here
and will go before the Committee vast number OF pc
ttons soldiers OF 1912 have been!presented asking
for pensions and the Committee after maturey consd
ering the same, concluded report ad
yersely, which they did TO the Senate to-day.
Enough discussion had On Mr.. Trumbulls bill
TO prevent members OF Congress from urging applicants
for Office upon the President TO indicate the small proba
bity OF its passage. The Census bill came up at
o'clock when Mr.. COnkng argued in favor Of adhering
TO the act OF 1885, against the very elaborate scheme
marked out by the House. asserting that IL imprac
cable and enormously expensive. 10 this Mr. sumner
demurrod and advocated the House measure. He was
interrupted shortly after O'clock 60 allow the Senator
from Ohio make the formal of the death
of their House colleague, Mr. Hoag OF the Toledo Dis
trct No Executive session was held. and the Senate adj
journed out OF respect for the deceased
The House did little to-day, account OF the early an
nouncement OF the death OF Mr. Hoag 1t being general
bill day, large number Of bills and resolutions were in
troduced and referred the appropriate Committees
Mr. scoheld OF Pennsylvania brought forward bill TO
except the operations OF the Frankng Privilege
circulated in the county where printed Mr.
Welker Of Ohio introduced aboshng the Freedmens
Bureau and also TO amend the act establishing the
Bureau Of Education. The resolutions OF Nj Marshall
declaring that the power 70 levy taxes, &C. granted in
the Federal Constitution does Lot include the TO
levy taxes for any other than revenue purposes, and
that, therefore, Protective Tariff is unauthorized by
the Constitution came up unfinished business. After
brief contest the resolutions laid upon the table
by decsive majority. good deal Of interest
cited by the fact that IL regarded sort Of test
vote TO show the strength Of the Free Trade element
Although oil the Democrats and good many Repubi
voted Tor Free Trade the Proteotonts think that
the vote shows that they have working majority in the
| House upon any fair question.
| The House Military Committee to-day commenced the
intiatory investigation into the alleged sale by members
Congress Of esdetships at West Point and the Naval
Academy at Annapolis. Several witnesses have been
summoned. and will be examined soon as they reach
the city The Committee determined 10 probe this
matter to tho bottom, let the consequences fall where
they may.