The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-01-19
FROM WASHINGTON.

Of a municipal election held in Lexington,
KY, on January 80, 1873, aud on that occa-
sion refused to receive the vote of negro
who was unable to produce evidence that he
had paid the capitation.taX. They were in.
dicted on charge Of violation OF the en-.
forcement act of May 81, 1870, and on q
demurrer to each count of the indictment,
the United States Circuit and District Judges
being divided in opinion, the case was certi-
tied to the Supreme Court. Like the Grant
parish case 1t involves the constitutionality
OF the enforcement act. .-.
The case was ably argued for the defend
ants By eX-Attorney.General Stanbery and
Mr.. Buckuer. and was argued for the United
States by the Attorney-General and the So
licitor. General. Much interest is taken In
the case. and many senators and representa-
tves and leading jurists have listened to the
arguments. Among these the very advanced
ground taken by the Attorney-General in
his argument Is the subject of the liyeliest.
comment, particularly in view of MIR. Will
liam,'s exceedingly confidential relations
with the Executive. At this particular
ljuncture. when the people Of the couatry are
somewhat exercised on the question OF
whether local seli-government in this coun-
try is at an end, it may be we'll Tor them 10
know the views Of the man who for three
months preceding the congressional eiectlons
Of last fall was the absolute com.
mander Of the army, and in whose hands
the same power may again be placed two
years from now. Mr.. Williams announced
to the court with great vehemence that State
rights were nothing but breath that had
passed out of existence. He said that it
would be impossible for the Union to exist
without strong central government in
Washington and if his words, addresses
directly to the court, meant anything, they
meaut that that tribunal bad no right to un-
dertake to pass in review any of the political
legislation Of Congress. He was really inso.
lent in intimatiug TO the court that it would
be very serious thing for it to assume to
curb in any respect the will of Congress as to
whit was appropriate legislation under the
recent amendments. He stated that in
only a very few instances had the Supreme
Court ever reversed the action Of Con-
gress, and said that he would name all the
cases He, however, did not mention one
half Of them. In short, the theory laid down
by Mr.. Williams would make the "central
government" at Washington fully as power
tul and as absolute as any despotiSm on the
face of the globe. That this is what the
Acknowledgement would be most delighted
TO see no one need doubt. When MIR. Will
liams concluded his argument MIR. Philip
Phillips, who is one of the counsel in the
Grant parish case. suggested to the court that
as the principles in the two cases were SINH
lar, it should defer passing judgment upon
The Kentucky case until after the hearing OF
the Grant parish case. which is set for an
early day in March. The Attorney General
objected to this, and Insisted that there
should be no delay in deciding upon the
Kentucky case. The probability is, however,
that the court will wait to hear the argument
in the Grant parish case, rs suggested by
Mr.. Phillips.
| The Proposed Political Conference.
The time is not yet fixed for the proposed
consultation Of leading Democrats, number.
iug in all between thirty and forty. En-
Governor McGottin, Reverdy johnson, Jere-
miah NJ. Black, Herman of New York, and
Baton of Connecticut, are named as among
them. None Of the present members OF
Congress have been invited to the confer
ence The object is to consider the present
condition of political affairs and what should
he done by the Democrats in the event Of a
called session Of Congress. Their action in
the way OF suggestion would then be re-
ported to Democratic members-elect.
PInchback Stock.
Pinchback is expected here Tuesday. A
prominent Republican senator says Pinch
back will be admitted to seat in the Senate,
according to the determination of the recent
caucus.
The Pending Crisis with Spain.
1t is understood, from inquiry in proper
quarters, that negotiations between the
United States and Spain on questions grow
ing out Of the FirgniuS affair and other mat.
tiers of controversy between the two coua-
tries are not progressing favorably. That
this condition of affairs is fully appreciated
by both Governments is clearly shown by
, the fact that Spain is concentrating large
force of war-vessels in the West Indies, and
, is also preparing to reinforce her army
! in Cuba, and this Government has de.
; clded not to send any more vessels
ot-war to foreign stations, except the
, Brooklyn to the South Atlantic sta.
, ton. Besides this, 1t Is intended to keep
all iron-cIad and other vessels now in rem
devious in the Gulf in readiness for imme-
, date Sea-Service. The forts on the Atlantic
seaboard are being quietly put in order.
Large quantities Of supplies are understood
TO be stored at Key West aud other easily
accessible points on the Gulf coast. The
English Government seems also to be fully
aware of the warke condition OF affairs,
and are concentrating An unusually large
fleet at Jamaica.-W Washington Republican.
Unstamped Bank Checks.
The Commissioner Of Internal Revenue has
sent special agents to some Of the principal
cities searching among the banks for un-
stamped checks. Their investigations have
revealed great deal of such neglect. In the
vaults of one bank in q prominent city
enough cases of the kind were found to break
the bank if the penalties were enforced
Baltimore american.
The Ark ansas Question.
The Arkansas Committee will make Its re-
port this week, Messrs. Poland and Ward
reporting in favor Of the claims Of Smith,
who represents the Brooks party, while Dir.
Saylor (Democrat) will offer minority re-
port In favor of Garland, who succeeded Bax-
ter.-Baltimore american.
Official Records of the War.
On Saturday the Secretary of War COM
municated to the Committee on Appropria-
tons his views as to the publication of the
official records Of the war of the rebellion.
The great trouble in the preparation Of this
work was to eliminate the valuable from huge
masses Of documents and trivial details, but
it is now 10 such condition that its pub!ica'
ton can be proceeded with. The Secretary
of War recommends the appropriation OF
100000 for that purpose, and this sum Will
probably be allowed BY the committee.
The Increase Of Taxation.
Il tl,fu RI II