The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-12-22
FOa THE HERALD.
Gnr Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
Dec. Is. 1880.

WASHINGTON, D. c.,
Dec. Is, 1880.
On Monday last the Supreme Court
rendered decision which seems to
NE to be highly crcditable to the
Court AID highly important to citi-
zeus generally. An individual who
believed that he had been wronged in
the official acts Of the Secretary of the
Interior, and who failed to obtain re-
dress or even the consideration of
further evidence in the matter Oh
which the Secretary bad acted, ap-
piled to our District Court for a man
damus upon the Secretary, directing
him to perform q certain act in the
case The District Court decided that
it had not jurisdiction over Cabinet
officers official conduct. The case was
taken to tie Supreme Court Of the
United States, aud, though the At
torney.Gereral held that Cabinet Off
GERS were responsible only to the Presi-
dent, the Court reversed the decision
of the lower Court, and ordered the
maudamus to issue. So. from this
time forward, the Cabinet officer is,
like other citizens, answcrable to the
Courts of the country. Only those
who reside in this city, and those who
have business relations with the gov
ernment, will fully understand the
gravity Of the question decided, but
all will understand that public off
Ger restrained by law, will be a very
different person from one having ire
spopsible power.
The House went on good naturedly
with the electoral resolution discussion
Monday, but today it was dropped
with an assurance that it would not
be taken up again until l47 Demo
crats-a quorum Of the House-were
present. Our Republican friends have
an unpatriotic way of refusing to vote
and thereby breaking quorum when
they don't like a measure and have
not majority.
Exit the electoral resolution, and
enter the refuuding bill. This latter
was discussed yesterday afternoon, aud
will be for some days to come. The
Committee bill provides for some
S700,000,0O0 in twenty year bonds at
three per cent, to be used in retiring
like amount Of higher interest bonds
Secretary Sherman and some Con-
gressmen prefer a three and one-balf
per cent bond. Representative Kel-
ly has bill providing for s400,0o0,-
900 in three per cent bords, or Treas
ury notes, of denominations redeem
able after July lst, 1888, aud s273,-
100000 Of like bonds redcemable two
years later. Representative Buckner
wants S600,OOO,000 Treasury notes,
of which not more than s60,G00,000
shall mature each year.
The reapportlonment bill will be
presented to the House before the
holidays. The figures Of population
will be ready on the 3lst. Probably
three hundred Representatives will be
agreed upon as the number in the fu-
ture, and the population of each Dis
trict will be 10000.
The Senate yesterday did its part
in an act of justice by authorizing Mr..
Hayes or his successor to restore Fltz
John Porter to the regular army as of
the same rank he held in that body at
the time of his dismissal. General
Porter was then Major General of
Volunteers, but Colonel of Regulars.
1t is believed the House will pass this
bill. 1t does not provide for the pay
ment of any money for the time Por,
ter was out of service.
HILTON.