Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1875-02-18

bill passed by the House to extend the
patent of John w. Marsh for a trimming
attachment to sewing-machine used In
the boot and shoe manufacture. The
action of the Senate was based profess
edly upon the theory that no further aid
should be given to any scheme for pre-
venting the free manufacture of sewing
machines, and gives little encourage
ment to the combined sewing machine
companies that are now striving to have
their monopoly extended.
Congressional virtue is expensive. A
member of the House Committee on Ac-
counts, who has recently examined the
books, says that the cost of investiga-
tons ordered by the present Congress
amounts to 100000. These expenses
include the great cost of securing wit
nesses, the attendance of witnesses, rail-
road transportation, hotel fares, stenog-
raphers, and extra pay and mileage of
congressman while on duty. The rules
allow congressman So per day and 10
cents mileage in addition to their regular
salary while investigations. This
$780, 900 does not include the cost of
printing the very extensive reports of
these investigating committees.
WoMAN's RIGHTS IN THE SUPREME
CoURT. The question of woman's right
to vote as a citizen under the Constitu-
ton of the United States, regard
less of the provisions of State Consti-
tutions and laws excluding her from that
privilege, is now before the Supreme
Court at Washington, and an early de-
cision may be expected. The suit is
brought by Mrs. Virginia L. Minor, a
strong minded and tax-paying female of
st. Louis, who wanted to vote for Presi-
dent in 1872, but was denied the privi-
lege by the judges of election. She has
been defeated in the lower courts, includ-
ing the Supreme Court of Missouri, and
has now brought her grievances before
the court of final resort for adjudication.
A BALLOT MUST BE SECRET
Rodgers, of Chicago, has just delivered
very important opinion in a case in
volving the right of voter to have his
vote kept secret. The plaintiff in the
case, at the last November election in that
city, delivered to the judges of the cleo
ton his ballot, requesting them to put
it into the ballot-box without marking
any number on it. This they refused to
to do, but deposited it after giving it
number corresponding to the number
placed opposite his name on the poll list.
Plaintiff claimed that the secrecy of the
ballot was violated, and he damaged in
his constitutional privileges and fran
chises. The facts were agreed on, and
the case submitted to the court. The
Judge, in his decision, holds that it is the
privilege of every citizen to insist upon
a secret ballot, and as the numbering of
ballots interferes with such secrecy. it is
Illegal.
AID FOR THE CHRISTOPHER SUFFER
ERs.-A general order has been issued
from the War Department with reference
to carrying out the provisions of the act
of Congress approved Feb. 10, 1875, to
provide for the relief of persons suffering
from the ravages of grasshoppers upon
the Western frontiers. It says
=. 1t is ordered by the President that the COM
of the Departments of the Platte
the Missouri and Dakota shall cause to be made
as soon as practicable, an enrolment of the in
habitants of the States and Territories within
these departments who have been rem
dered destitute by the ravages aforesaid, which
enrolment will. 80 far practicable, group
families together, giving the name of each per-
son entitled to relief children under IL years
of age 70 be rated separately. Applicants for
supplies should make statement on blanks
furnished them Of their resources, convertible
food, and the names of such persons as may be
found to have resources so convertible shall not
be placed ON the rolls until such resources are
exhausted"