The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-11-11
Last Nights Dispatches.
WASHINGTON.

| WASHINGTON, Nov, 10.-A. ID. Hazen
| Third Assistant Postmaster General. has
completed his annual report. 1t exh ibits
| the operations OF the postoffice department
during the last fiscal year in the division
of finance, postage stamps, etc. The total
receipts of the department for the twelve
months ended June 30th. 1879, were
$764, 400 more than those of the proceed
ing year, aud about 81 100000 more than
the estimated result attributed to the re-
vival of business, and consequent increased
demand for postage stamps and stamped
envelopes. the actual sales of which
amounted to $769, ,482 more than the total
for the preceding year and So. 387 ,539
more than for the fiscal year of 1877.
Supreme court decision, No. 526, Geo
3. Fairfield, plaintiff in error VS.. county OF
GalatiD. in error, to the Circuit court of
United States for the Southern District of
Illinois. This was suit upon coupons of
a certain series of bonds issued by the
county of Gallatin, Illinois. 10 October,
1870. to the St. Louis & Southeastern
company as donation to assist in the
construction of that road The defense
set up was, in substance. that in conse-
quepce Of provision OF the new state con-
stitution which went into effect July ID,
the authority to issue and deliver bonds
had ceased to exist. The question pre-
seuted is, whether a donation to the rail-
road company legally authorized and ap
proved by a majority Of the legl voters Of
a county prior to the adoption OF the new
State constitution is rendered valid by
the prohibition of such donations con-
tanned Ia that constitution, in the case of
the town of Concord VS. Portsmouth Saw
ings Bank, 90 U. S.. CPS. This court was
called on to give construction to section
OF the Illinois State constitution now 10
question aud it then held that donations
by counties to railroads we're prohibited
by it. Now that they could not be law
fully made after July %, 1870. even
although they had been authorized by
prior act and by vote of the people of
the county. 1t now appears, however,
that prior to the above decision by the
Court, the Supreme Court of Illinois. 10
constructing this same section, had decided
that donations, if sanctioned by popular
vote, before the adoption of the Coustitu-
ton, are not prohibited by it. This de-
cision of the State Supreme Court has
been re affirmed by it, as we'll as recog-
niZed repeatedly by legislative action and
there is every reason to believe that the
rule has been relied upon and that on
the faith OF it, many municipal bonds
have been issued and bought aud sold in
the markets OF the country. 1t is an es
tablished rule OF this court that it will
follow the decision of State courts in the
construction of their own constitution
and statutes when such decisions are
brought to its notice. Greene VS.. Neels,
Lessee, & Peters 29l, this court therefore
changes its own decisioa as rendered in
Concord VS.. Portsmouth SAVINGS bank and
adopt that the construction declared by
the courts of that State GA Ill. rep. 277)
the judgment OF the Circuit Court reyers~
ed and record remitted with instructions
to give judgement Tor plaintiff below on
the hudlng made.
The following is furnished by the signal
officer: 4 few days ago the signal service
was violently attacktcd. because at post
on the New England coast the warning
flag was flying while the sky was bright
and clear. with what on shore seemed only
brisk wind. Reports now in show at the
time the signal was mplaiaed OF
steamer on its way to the port referred to
and near II, was being wrecked at sea and
after a narrow escape, crept into neigh
boring port disabled aud in distress. The
recent Nova Sc>tian hurricane was sweep
ing near The place. To keen vessels cut
OF storms, it is necessary 10 show signals
outside of their track The sun may be
shining, while tornado is raging wIthiu
so miles The signal says only; tio
careful.
Iu cases 4 assessment made fer def
cheney against large Dum Der OF packages
of alcohol exported from the west via New
Y York, the S 'etary OF the Treasury Sand
Com missioner Of in.ernai Revenue have
granted an extentluu OF 60 days.
Mr.. Bailey, United States Consul Gem
eral at Shang ha.. China. In dispatch to
the Department of State reports the cot
ton crops iuIthat district will not be more
than TAI the average yield. This will
| probably make an unusual demand 10
China and Japan for cotton goods. Fhe
| y 0ited States Consul at Ocessa reports
to the Department of State that the
| wheat crop of Russia will fall far short
of the usual harvest, and that American
wheat must be in great demand 10 ali
parts of Europe