The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-12-08


Garfield, though not vet in office,
can now decline to accept his pro-
spectiye right to the office \ safe
mode of doing so would be to inform
the President OF the United States
Senate, the Governor of Ohio and
the presiding officers of the two
houses of the Ohio legislature, in
writing. of his declination. Every
reason which exists for permitting
an officer to resign exists equally for
permitting a person elected 10 an
office To decline It.
When Gen. Garfield was elected
Senator and his credentials were
transmitted to the President Of the
Senate he had a vested right to the
office Of Senator. This is a species
Of property, and it can be released
bv every rule of law and common
sense. Clearly, however, and per-
haps unfortunately, the act of Con-
gress as omitted TO provide for
lust such a condition of affairs as
will exist if Gen. Garfield should
decline the Senatorship. Congress
has power by law to make regula-
tions for every possible case requlr-
ing election. Congress has legislat-
ed, but not to the full extent OF its
power, and the power of the legls-
lature Of Ohio to supply the omis-
sions is indisputable Ohio is en-
titled to two Senators, and no law
of Congress could deprive her Of
this right. The failure therefore,
of Congress to provide for this con-
tingency cannot deprive her Of her
rights
From the political barometer here
Secretary Sherman seems to be
ahead in the race. Gov. Foster it is
said will be one of Garield's cabi-
net.
Justices Swavne and Strong, ac-
cording to good authority, will retire
from the United States Supreme
bench before the term of President
HAYES expires. Both by reason of
age are eligible for retirement on full
pay. Justice Clifford Is also eligible
TO retire but accotuIng 10 an old
rumor has indicated that he will
not retire until he can be succeeded
by 4 Democrat.
Justice Hunt is not eligible for re-
tirement. but is incapacitated for
duty. 1t is said that when Congress
meets a bill viii be introduced with
good chances for passage, author
izing the appointment of two ad-
ditional justices, whose places in
turn are not to be filled until the
number Of Justices are reduced to
nine. This would give the court its
full compliment of justices, and
when Justice Hunt and Clifford
either retired or died, the court
would stand Just where it now is.
The beliefis prevalent that ex-Sena-
tor Stanley Mathews, Of Ohio is to
. succeed Justice Swayne, and il is
for this reason that hcis not prom
inent candidate for the Ohio Scna-
/ torship.
The National Grange, Patrons
of Husbandry. who have been in
session here for nearly q fortnight
adjourned Saturday night. As the
Grange is a secret organization, OF
course what transpired is sealed up
in the faithful breasts of the Grange.
They decided to hold the next an
nual session in Washington. The
order originated here, thefirs grange
having been originated in the old
brick building on the reservation
at the corner of Missouri Avenue
and four and a half street.
The President of the National
Grange saws they decided to ask
/ Congress to donate this old building
with the ground on which it stands,
to the order. It's proposed, in case
I Congress complies with this request,
TO establish the headquarters of the
order here, and, perhaps, erect a
suitable office building on the site OF
the place where the order was
born.
The most important work of the
session is as follows A plan has
been adopted for practical work to
be carried on by the subordinate
oranges, with the view of strength
ening and soidifying the order
Arrangements have been made to
memorable Congress for laws TO regu-
late interstate commerce, so as to
protect the public from excessive
transportation rates Steps have
been taken TO secure an amendment
to the patent laws, so as TO protect
the innocent purchasers or users of
patented articles. Action has also
been taken looking to the creation
of 4 new cabinet position 10 take the
place of the Office of Commissioner
Of Agriculture
The grange has also endorsed the
Tennessee plan of introducing a
course of instruction in the rudi-
ments of agriculture in the common
schools Of the country.
Thirty one states were represented
in the convention and a great many
Of those present brought their wives
and daughters along with them.
They all had a pleasant time. Mr.
and Mrs Hayes gave them a recep-
ton one evening and made the old
farmers feel at home.
The oyster market is now at Its
height The cold snap caused a
rise but it viii be only temporary.
In price they have advanced from
30 cents a bushel to 80 and 75. For
the better grades the ruling prices
are now s1.25 to $50. The de-
mands Of the market here represent
precisely the consumption, for there
Is no canning establishments or any
other means for the disposal Of
oysters. 1t Is a favorite article of
food in all households and is staple.
in the bill of fare of hotels and res
taurants. As an edible it is always
appetizing and the month without
the mysticle ''R." which banishes
the oyster from the tables, is always
received with regret. Like the
pumpkin pie Of New England and
the buckwheat cake of the farming
regions the, oyster is served up in
one form, or another at every meal.
The oysters are received here in