Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-05-04
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1871.
Current News.

The news from France indicates the sue
cess OF the Versailles government troops.
When the end OF all this needless killing
of friends by friends will be reached does
not we, appear.
The Public Debt statement for April
shows reduction of 6,l2s .053.
Mr. Avery ID. Putnam of New York
city, was murdered while al.ghting from a
street car. by Mr.. Foster on Thursday
last
The Joint High Commission has finished
up its work, and it Is thought the Senate
which meets the 10th, will no, have to re-
main long in session.
James NJ. Mason of Virginia, one OF the
most noted of the rebel chiefs died the
other day. Yancy, Floyd, Soule. Howell
Cobb, keitt. Ftzpatric and Lee OF the not
ed chiefs have died.
All will be glad to learn of the safety OF
the crew of the Barque Merrimac.
SAFETY OF THE CREW OF BARoUE MFR
RIMAc.-A cable dispatch received at the
Merchants Exchange, states that the Gun
ard steamship Aleppo. Capt. Moulsnd.
which sailed from this port on the 20th ult,
arrived al Queenstown ON Sunday, having
on board the crew of the barque Merrimac
OF Boston. The Aleppo ran into and sunk
the barque in Boston Bay on the day of
her leaving port. and all hands were saved
and carried TO Queenstown. This infor-
nation confirms the first suggestions a. to
the cause OF the disaster, on the finding of
the fragments of the vessel The fortunate
escape of the seamen. under the circum-
stances. must have been a matter for con-
graduation among the people on board
both vessels. The news of their safety was
great reliefto friends in this city who had
serious apprehensions that some Of the
crew were lost.
The captain and crew of the Merrimac
viii leave for Boston on the ID inst in the
steamer Tripol. The Merrimac was run
down when three miles from Minot's
Light.
IMPORTANT SUFRTME COURT DECISION.
WAsHINGToN Msy /. Large numbers OF
the bar were present Al the Suprc ~ Court
chamber to-day, including Solicitor GEN
eral Bristow and Senators Trumbull and
Cole. a. Il was known that the Court
would announce many opinions prcparce
during the weeks recess. previous To adj
journing until the 10th day OF October
next, All the judges We're on the bench
with the exception of Justice Nelson. who
is absent from the city. The Chief Justice
retired about 2 O'Clock. None of the opin-
ions were announced by him. Justice Clif-
ford read raper in the legal tender cases
OF Knox versus Lee and Parker versus
Davis, a. follows; In these two cases are
TWO questions heretofore directed to be ar
gOed, namely First-I> the act Of Con
sress, known ~ the lie al Tender Act
constitutional a. to contracts made befors
Its passage: Seconds it valid a. appli-
cable to transactions since its passage :
These questions have been considered Yy
the Court, and both decided In the affirm
atVe- The decree of the Supreme Court
OF Massachusetts in the case OF Parker v
Davis is therefore affirmed. and the iudg-
ment OF the Circuit Court Of the United
states Of the western distrlc; of Texas
also affirmed The Chief Justice. with
Associate Justices Nelson. Clifford and
Field, dissent from the majority OF tie
Court upon both propositions and the re-
suit, holding that the act OF Congress so
lar IS applicable 10 contracts made before
Its passage, Is repugnsut 10 the Constitu-
ton and void, and also that il is repugnant
70 the Constitution and void 50 far as ap-
plicable TO the contract made since its pas
sage The opinion of the Court and the
reasons for the dissen, will be read before
the close of the adjourned term. In Dun
ming against Sears and others-two cases
from the Supreme Court OF Michigan-thc
contracts were for delivery of specified
weight OF gold, soluble As coined money
The Court below held that they were dis
charged below by the payment OF Treasury
notes, equivalent in market value TO the
value OF coined money of the stipulated
weight In pure gold. This Court reverses
that Judgment, holding that il should have
been entered for coined dollars and part.
Of dollars.