The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-12-22
EO2 THE HERALD.
Fsszr washington letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
Dec. Is, 1880.

wv Aos AONH'
On Monday last the Supreme Court
rendered u decision which seems to
NE to be highly creditable to the
Court a@d 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 had acted, al
piled to our District Court for a man
damus upon the Secretary, directing
him to perform certain act in the
case The District Court decided that
it had not jurisdiction over a Cabinet
officer official conduct. The case was
taken to tie Supreme Court of the
United States, and, though the At
torney-General 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, aud 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 enc having ire
sponsible 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, and
will be for some days to come. The
Committee bill provides for some
S700,00O,O00 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 three and one-half
per cent. bond. Representative Kel-
ly has bill providing for s400.000,-
900 in three per cent. bonds, or Treas
ury notes, of denominations redeem
able after July lst, 1888, aud S273,-
100000 Of like bonds redeemable two
years lates. Representative Buckner
wants 100000, ,000ia Treasury notes,
of which not more than S60,000,000
shall mature each year.
The reapportioument bill will be
presented to the House before the
holidays. The figures CT 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
ia an act Of justice by authorizing Mr..
Hayes or his successor to restore Fitz
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 a Major General Of
Volunteers, but a Colonel of Regulars
1t is believed the House will pass this
bill. It does not provide for the pay
ment Of any money for the time Por-
ter was out of service.