West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-12-20

1t Is stated that the SupreTe Court a.
abort ready 10 announce a decision as to
the constitutionslity OF the Federal cleo
ton laws, and nothing bearing upon
Them VIII be taken up i'm Congress un-
Nl this Is known. Report says tho court
is equally divided, Justices Clifford.
Field, Bradley and Harlan that the laws
are unconstitutional, while Chief Justice
Waite and Judges Strong. Miller and
Swayno holl the contrary opinion. Jus
ice HINT is off the bench by reason of
III health. Such division of the Judg.
cs on the question, while m king tie,
would really leave the laws i'm force. II
rs not expected that Justice Hunt will
ever resume bis place. In fact. IL is ru-
mored that his resignation has been ton.
d red, and that Mr.. Hayes has offered
The vacant place TO Senator Edmun|s.
They d'ny this at Headquarters; never
thel0ss IL is generally believed. Should
Mr. Edmunds take seat on the bench.
the election laws and eli the other par.
tisan Legislation Of the Ropub' lean party
would too sustained. 1t would be an nm
usual Ting for the Senate to refuse TO
confirm prominent Senator appointed
TO any other office, but | really d. not
see how a Democratic Senate couIl take
the responsibility of permitting such an
intense partisan TO be seated on the SUI
preme bench, notwithstanding his abil-
ity.
Schuyler COlfax, ono OF the rldica
statesmen who dropped suddenly into
oblivion, lecturod hore one night this
week. There is nothing wonderful i'm
this. except that tho mention of hi
name recalls the fate Of statesmen who
find 81 900 rotes under their break (, st
plates, and lie abouc il arterw ards.
Somebody has just related an old story
about ColfaN, illustrating his demacogu-
ical ways and lick Of firmness or rrin,
ciple. He was always i'm dread OF the
people and afraid of offending them.
Once he was charged with Post Office
bill, and soue one, as joke, introduced
an amendment to the effect that post
masters should DO elected by tho people
and Mr.. ColfaX, to tho surprise of the
friends of the bill, voted for the amend.
mont When those who had deputcd
him TO present the bill reproached him.
they did not hesitate tc charge him with
cowardice in voting for so ridiculous an
amendment for fear of offending tn,
'oters. 1t was necessary next day TO get
rio of the amendment bsioge the bill
could be carried. ON another occasion
he received from some individual who
firmly believed in Representative i'm
Congress being the servant of the peo-
pie, box of prairie chickens, accom-
panied by the audacious request
please dispose OF these TO the best adj
vantage and account to me-" After r
moments hesitation, Mr.. Collax went
to tho earest restaurant, disposed of the
fowls, and enclosed a check for the
amount tn the owner.
Govornor-elect Foster, of Ohio. was
here the other day, and told in an intor-
Wow that Garfield had pretty sure
thing of the Senatorship. This reminds
me of a scene in the House on Monday
last. 81 object to tho r,ading of the
memorial said Nj. Garfield when
Mr.. Aiken, OF South Carolina. dc sired
to have Paper sent to the Clerks desk
and read. "Woll. then, if you do said
Mr.. Aiken, Il win Withdraw it,
"What is it, any way?" said Mr.. Gar
fed. "Why," replied Aiken, cit is a
memorial from the Patrons Of Uusl and
ry." "Oh! ali ahem! | withdraw
The objection" said Mr.. Garfield, and
the memorial was read. PHoNo.