The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-08
FROM WASHINGTON.
Sayings u the Supreme Court In Reference to the
Government or the Confederate States.

Especial to Cincinnati Enquirer.]
WAsHINGToN, Dec 4.-The majority of the
Supreme Court, in deciding the case of Spratt
and the United States, on appeal from the
Court of Claims, took some pains to illuminate
decree against the Confederate Government,
not called for by their owr showing and
which Justices Clifford and Davis expressly
declared to be irrelevant
1t had (said the majority judges) no exist
ence except as a conspiracy to overthrow law
full authority. Its foundation was treason
against the existing Federal Government. It's
single purpose SO long as it lasted, was to
make that treason successful
Justices Davis and Clifford said they con-
Cured in the judgment that the purchase of
the cotton was illegal, because made from the
Confedarate Government, and thus tending to
aid it; but as to that part Of the operation
which is above quoted from, they did not as
sent, because they deemed it unnecessary.
What is remarkable is that the court at
this term decided, in the case Of Peters VS..
the United States, that the Confederate Gov
eminent had the capacity to acquire real
estate by purchase, and that the United States
obtained title to such real estate by con-
quest. Vattel and other writer's on the laws
OF nations say that con4ueror acquires title
by conquest to such forts, places, etc, as be-
longed to the conquered prince. 'No prince
capable of acquiring title to real estate, no
title by conquest" would seem a perfect legal
syllogism. The Court of Claims had expressly
decided that the Confederate Government
could not lawfully acquire Or transmit title to
property. This point was before the Supreme
Court In the cotton case, and resolutely
lodged. They decided both cases to suit the
mob sentiment, at the expense OF legal con-
sistency.
REFORMS IN THE CUSTOMS SERVICE.
The Subcommittee of the House and Sen
ate appropriation committees, mentioned III
these dispatches of yesterday, met this morn
ing in Secretary Bristow's office and con-
suited with hlm in reference to the institution
Of reform in the customs service 1t appears
that there is no restriction on the collectors
of customs relative to the salaries OF the cler-
ical force which may be employed by them,
and many collectors have taken advantage OF
this oversight and burdened their pay-rolls
with useless and expensive employees. Proper
legislation will be suggested to correct this
existing evil 1t also appears that numerous
frauds in the revenue are committed, parllcu-
larly in transportation Of goods In bond. 1t
is proposed also to devise some legislation to
remedy these abuses.
NEGROES INsOLENT IN OFFICE.
Some Of the negroes employed III the Treas
ury Department are said to practice the ut
most insolence toward the gentlemen in the
departments, and, among others, to the ladies'
whose necessities force them to hold clerical
situations. One of these ladies had to count
money lately, while burly negro sat in her
chair and put up sweet-scented feet on the
very table where she was counting. The poor
thing did not dare to make complaint, for
fear Of being regarded as disloyal and contu-
macious.
BEN BUFFERS LITTLE PARTY. Butler
has at last declared himself privately to some
Of his friends. He tells them tuat, in his
opinion, the Republican party, as such, has
cast its last Presidential vote; that dlsorganlz-
alton is certain. He is looking forward to
other things, and the two great measures upon
which he intends to plant himself are protec-
tive tariff and paper money. The first with
an eve to the East, and the last as bait to
catch the West. At first he was sorry he was
defeated, but when all the returns came i'll,
and he saw the House was Democratic, he was
clad. for the reason if he had been returned
he would have been constantly attacked with
out any position which would have given him
a chance to reply.-Loter- Ocenn.
Chicago Tribune's Washington Special, Dec. 2.)
Several Republican Congressman are clrcu-
lating the report that Gen. Butler is in active
correspondence with prominent men in varl'
Gus parts OF the country, and that the purpose
OF this correspondence is the ultimate lorna
ton of new political party.