New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-03-23
WASHINGTON.
Libel.

Libel.
WASHINGTON, March 3-Scott Smith has
been indicted for libeIlipg Macfarland. The
fact that both parties are Washington tele-
graphic correspondents gives the case a
respectable scent.
Determined to Sit 1t Out.
Commencing with tomorrow the Rapub-
lican Senators have determined to sit Grant,
Kellogg and Louisiana ont.
The New Postal Law.
Postmaster General Jewell directs that
the new law regarding transient newspapers
60 into effect Immediately, instead of the
first Of April.
The Black Hills Country.
The Department Of the Interior will send
geologist to the Black Hills country to
mineral wealth. In the meantime the War
Department will be asked to protect the
Sioux in all their treaty rights and allow no
white person to enter that country. Rapid
steps are in progress toward entering into
negotiations with the Sioux for the extin-
guishment of their title.
Important Supreme Court Decisions.
The Supreme Court has decided the case
Of Blake w. the Fret National Bank of the
city Of New York. by reversing the decision
of the ciccuit courts of Now York, Pennsyl-
vaRia and Massachusetts, and holding that
the incomes of banks and railroad COM
five mon tbs of the year 1871 were subject
to an internal revenue tax Of two and a
half per cent. This decision secures the
government about $4,000, ,OO0.
United States vs.. Home Insurance Com
pany. and United States Vs. Southern In
surance aud Trust COmpany.-Appeals
from the Commissioner Of Claims. In these
cases the question was whether the insur-
ance company, having been chartered by
tAe State Of Georgia when in rebellion, have
any legal existence. The court held that as
the Legislature was the law-making power
Of State de factO, all enactments not in
union of the States, and not prohibited,
must be held to have the force generally
accorded to the action of de facto public
said, would work unnecessary hard
ship upon the people Of the States
in rebellion, without Q corresponding
benefit to the people of the other States
and without any advantage to the national
government. The incorporating acts had
no relation to anything else than the do
mestic concerns OF the State and must be
treated as valid. In respect of another
point made in the case, that only persons
who could have given aid and comfort to
the rebellion can sue under the captured
and abandoned property act, and that cor
poratiOns could not have so aided the
rebellion. 1t is held otherwise that they
could, as corporations, have so acted ard
that they will be- treated az persons.
Affirmed. Mr.. Justice Strong delivered the
opinion.
No. 2l5. Moran ct al va. Prather.-Error
to the Circuit Court for the district OF
Louisiana. In this case the defendant in
error sold the plaintiff his interest in
vessel for much less than it's real value
upon condition that he should be held
harmless as to all its debts. The court
held that evidence of the sale of the vessel
at much less than it's value was properly
admitted as tending to show the circum-
stances OF the sale, and that evidence of
usage offered by the plaintiffs in error to
limit the operation and scope of the guar.
antee was properly excluded. The terms
of the contract being plain, it is said
usage can not be permitted to materially
offset the construction to be given it. Deci-
sion affirmed. Mr.. Justice Clifford delivered
the opinion.
No. 2l4. Ray vs. Bingham ct al.-Error to
the Supreme Court OF Louisiana. In this
case it is held that where the assignee in
bankruptcy sells incnmbered property with.
out order OF court, he sells subject to lawful
and can convey no better title
than the bankrupt could have done. Such
sales may be made without notice to the
creditor, but when it is intended to
pass the unincumbered the authority of q
bankrupt must be obtained, and notice to
creditors. Decision affirmed. Mr.. Justice
CliffoI d delivered the opinion.