New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-25

many to think that his judgment may nave
| been influenced, and the vision may have been
inspired by his faith in the possibility OF such
appea,ances. Nevertheless the details when
he cites to show that the thought Of his son was
not then present in his mind make the story
| one of peculiar interest.
The Supreme Court has rendered an i'm
portant decision upon the attempt or the
| State of Virginia to tax her bonds In VIOLATION
| Of a previous contract with her creditors. Inc
/ State issued bonds under the adjustment OF
1871, with the proviso that the coupons
| should be receivable for taxes and other dues
| to the State. Later a law was passed, requir-
| ing deduction of sum equivalent to specified
| tax upon the market value of the bonds
| to be made from the value OF the coupons
| when presented in payment of taxes and other
| dues. The Court holds that this was law
/ impairing the obligation of a contract, and
| void. and finds the case for the creditor much
| stronger than in the well-known. cause to
which Judge Field makes alusiOn, and in
which the principle was laid down that any tax
levied upon public securities cannot be de-
| Quoted from the interest payable on them.
Judge E. G. Billings. of the United
| States District Court of Louisiana, who
has been nominated to succeed Judge
| Woods in the United States Circuit Judge
| ship, is a graduate of Yale College, having
been member of the well-known class
of '53 with Wayne MacVeagh, Senator Ran
dali Gibson, of Louisiana, E. G.. Stedman,
| George W.. Smalley and so many others.
L hoe daH in
| 1864, and has been over five years on the
| bench. The Louisiana Bar almost unani-
mously, with ex-United States Supreme
Judge Campbell at their head, have
| asked for his promotion. 1t is SAID
| that ninety-fve per cent of Judge Bill
lings's decisions, when appealed to the Cir
cut and Supreme Courts, have been affirmed,
| fact which explains the warm commentator
Judge Woods is also said to have given him.
| The nomination of Major Swain, of the
Judge Advocates Corps, to be Judge Advocate
General of the Army is fitting recognition
of long, faithful and modest service. 1t is
also a graceful tribute from the retiring to
| the incoming President, since it is
known that Major Swain has been one OF
Mr.. Garfeld's most intimate and devoted
personal friends. We cannot permit the nOmina-
| ton to pass without a word also concerning the
| retiring Judge Advocate General. Twenty years
! ago Mckee Dunn was one of the ablest and most
prominent members of Congress from In
diana. He gave his son to the war,
and his own patriotic work III
Congress, until his fine legal abilities and his
long service on the Military Committee combined
to recommend him as the most suitable assistant
| to Judge Holt in the Judge Advocate Generals
office. When Judge Holt retired no man, i'll the
army or out, of it, doubted that General
| Dunn was bis natural and necessary
successor. Now that he in turn goes
upon tho retired list, there will still
be none who do not regret the neces-
] sity, and wish the retiring officer the most
| peaceful and honored old age.
| 1t is stated in our Albany dispatches that
| the bill reOrganizing the City Government,
which has been prepared by Senator Me
Cartl,y's committee, is still subject to revision,
but the outline given of the bill in Its present
shape will interest taxpayers as well as
ofce-hOldcrs. which cannot always he
said of charter legislation. Sweeping
changes are proposed, which will re-
| suit it is believed, in q great reduction OF
expenses. All the Departments excepting the
Police, Charities and Correction, and Taxes
are reduced to a single head. The
municipal election is to take place IN
the spring of the year, the Mayor is
to have the power of appointment without the
concurrence of the Board Of Aldermen, and if
new Mayor should be elected i'll the sping
| he would have the power to select an almost
| entirely new city Government. Taxpayers
| are to have direct representation IN the Board
| of Estimate and AppOrtionment, STRENGTHENING
| is to be in charge of the Mayor.
there is to be q slaughter of judicial
| inecUres, and many other important
changes are to be made. The bill plainly pro-
poses the most radical reorganization of the
| City Government it has known since Twccds
day, but the scheme can hardly be discussed
IL detail until it appears in official shape, and
we know just what it contains.
| There was rather interesting disc ussion in
the Senate yesterday of the bill putting Cen
| eral Grant upon the retired list. 1t showed
that the Democratic Senators have not agreed
upon any one pretext for opposing the bill,
although they are plainly almost unanimous in
| their feeling against it. Mr.. Bayard wanted
| its consideration postponed with the idea that
a general measure making provision for ex-
Presidents would be adopted. Mr.. Hill OK
hibited himself in his customary role of the
| statesman best deserving the title of Facing
both ways since the day of James Buchanan.
| He was inclined to vote in favor Of the bill,
but was not prepared to vote for 1T at that
time; he was therefore ready-thOugh he did not
say SOTO speak in favor OF it and vote
| against it, both of which things, substantially