The Portland daily press., 1874-02-11

TUE devotion of the average Democratic
conoressman to the extreme doctrine of
estate rights is as sincere as in 1851 when
he declared that there was no authority in
the Constitution to keep State in the I'm
ion. On other questions he will back and fill,
but as disciple of Calhoun, he never swerves
from conviction which is as deep as his ma
ture. Monday, Congressman Smith of Ohio,
moved a resolution in the National House,
declaring that it was within the constitution
al power of Congress to so regulate commerce
as to protect internal trade from unjust tolls
and Instructions on the part of railroads, and
that the present condition of such commerce
is such as to demand a prompt exercise OF
this power. Now the average Democrat IS
eagerly trying to be a granger-not that he
finds delight in rural occupations, but he
vainly hopes to achieve dinner through the
organization. Consequently we might nave
expected that every Democrat wouid nave
put himself on record in favor OF TINS enulcla-
ton of the main purpose OF the western lar
mer. but on the other hand, every one of
them voted against the proposition. Their
devotion to the exploded doctrine of State
rights is so insraned into their existence
that they stood by it, for once forgetting ex-
pediency.
I The Supreme Court of Illinois has re-
Gently decided case which may possibly in
terfere with the plans of romance reading
coachmen who attempt to better their condi-
ton by marrying the daughters of their en-
pIoyes. In a dime novel it reads tolerabywel,
but in the case in question the decision is
that such marriage is null because procur-
ed by fraud. Lyndon was the middle aged
coachman of Col. Hancock, and in that ca
pacity was brought in contact with the six
teen year old daughter of the employer, whom
he finally persuaded to marry him. As soon
| as the ceremony was over the foolish girl
came toher senses and went home, never living
with Lyndon at all. An action was broL ght
to annul the marriage on the ground that the
girl was under age and that the marriage GER
tificate had been obtained on Lyndon's de-
claration that she was eighteen years of age
and was consequently fraudulent The full
court so ruled and Col. Hancock has his
| daughter and the coachman has lost place
and coveted position in society. 1t is now
fair field for the dime novelist, whose per-
| nicious productions doubtless led both the
| young lady and the coachman into difficulty.
Current Notes.
A late despatch from Washington repre-
sents the Executive and his cabinet as still
| determined to adhere to and carry forward
| civil service reform. 1t even intimates that
should the audacious proposition of doubtful
constitutionality, to farm out nominations
among the congressional districts, and give
| representatives the right of making them, be
come a law, wanting only the Presidents sig
| nature, he will promptly veto it, and Illustrate
the intrusive and perilous legislation. Thi
has hopeful look, at which all good citizens
will rejoice. Boston Transcript.
The State Of New Jersey is considering in
its legislature the property of disbandlng its
militia. The State of New York is paying a
good deal of money for very little advantage,
if we are to accept the statements of the pa
pers as true When regiment, which costs
the State $4,000 annually, musters at its
drill a Observation-Disclosures band, full com
plement Of officers, and one hundred and for.
ty privates, IL is not strange that remarks
| should be made about it by the reporters.