The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-01-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. .. January 25th, 1881

A few weeks ego had great pleasure in
giving an account Of the Supreme Courts
action 10 compelling the Secretary of the
Interior to perform his official duty. Re
fore that decision was rendered, Cabinet
officer by a sort Of general consent was hold
TO be beyond the reach OF Courts He
might take the most absurd cour sc in order
to deprive individuals Of their property or
their rights, and there was no appeal to his
successor The Courts we're not open to
such appeal. In the case mentioned the
United States Court for the District, held
that it had no control. The Supreme Court
reversed the decision. Another case has
Just been decided by the Supreme Court,
aud, though it ia less Immediately impor-
tant to less number of citizens than the
former one, IT equally viudicates the fuuda-
mental truth that under our form of govern
ment the Courts have power toprotect an
| individual. The former decision put a limit
to Executive interference with private
rights, this one checks the exercise Of arbi-
trary power by the Houses of Congress.
The following are the facts Hallet Kilburn
was confined in the Jail of this District, by
order of the House of Representatives, with
out trial, because it appeared by the records
of the House that he had refused to answer
questions put to him by a Committee Of the
House and by the House itself. After his
release from Jail he commenced suit in the
District Court here for damages, against
the officers of the House, but the Court re.
fused relief upon the ground that the House
had right to imprison him. That is, a
statement by defendants counsel that Xii
bCurn was confined by order of the House
was held to Justify the officers Of the House
in depriving Kilbourn of his liberty. 1t is
this decision which the Supreme Court has
Just reversed. The House had no such right,
Thus, within q month two decisions have
been rendered by the highest Court in the
land which give protection to the individ-
ua against the exercise Of arbitrary power
on the part Of government officials, and the
subordinate Courts Of the United States are
commanded to give relief to citizens in
countless cases in which they had heretofore
refused it. For the honor Of the party
wish every member of the court rendering
these two decisions was Democrat. They
have done service to US and to all who come
4 after US.
n Yesterday the Senate refused to take ur
{ the bill putting Ex-President Grant on thu
: retired list of the Army. Several Democrats
= voted with the Republicans, and others an
d nounced that their votes were not to b
IS understood as condemnipg the bill, bu
y only as against its present consideration
u The bill will probably be passed. Th'
a course of Senator Logan, Who is in charg
of it, shows, however, that he is simply try
= ing to magnify the apparent Importance o
:. the Grant. .Conkling- Logan wing of the Re
a publican party, with q view to its standing
e hereafter. "-.tt
:, Yesterday 10 the House, Mr.. Cox repor
5 ted the re-apportionment bill As reported
, it provides for 81 Representatives, in plac
,l or 293, as at present. A minority repoi
y was presented, providing for 3l9. The BIZ
,t introduced week ago by Mr.. Cox provide
h for 30l, and the indications now are this
Dt that number or smaller one will be agree
~ on. The events Of last week constitute
le powerful argument in favor Of small an
It therefore manageable body of Repr
", sentatives.
4; Amongst all the estimates that are mad
tx for Cabinets no one has suggested the name
w Carl Schurz. This political adventurer b
ne no future. He has heretofore traded upt
~ his control Of the German vote bis u
er impeached personal character, and his C
" of reform. But his stock in trade is all gor
o. The party will reform him out--his chs
lie acter is smirched all over with scandals, II
BY only as to money matters, but in regard
to some other and more disreputable aHa
ey which have heretofore been hushed becau
IN, of "the party Of the second part" His
YER fuence over his German compatriots
re gone, aud Carl Schurz will soon be WI
mt Senator Jones of Nevada, some years sin,
pit so emphatically called him "a d.
lot Dutch tramp.
HILTON.