The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-03-24
RAIL R0tD RUM0RS
H.: 7at5s~zsT
.s-
The Repudiated Minne-
sofa Railway Bonds.
A Woman's Invention Of a
Sleeping berth guard.
New Car Works at lndianapo-
lis and other news.
RAILWAY BONDS.

RAILWAY BONDS.
CHICAGO, March ga Times special
dated St. Paul 23, says: The act passed
by the state legislature for the settlement
of the old $50. 0o0. 900 railroad bonds pro-
vlded that the supreme court judges or
other judges designated by the governor
should meet to-day, the 22d. or as soon
thereafter as practicable, to sit from day
to day AZ long as might be necessary to
pass upon the constitutionality of the act
of 1867 requiring all propositions for liqui~
dation Of bonds TO be Submitted to q vote
of the people. In anticipation of the com
mencement of the hearing O number of
attorneys from this city and different sec
tions Of the state gathered at the supreme
court room this morning only to ind that
the court was not in readiness to proceed.
1t appears that all the judges save Berry
are objectiuR to passing on the question,
claiming that before their elevation to the
bench they had taken sides. either positive
or implied, disqualifying them. or at least
rendering them liable to have whatever
decision they might make ascribed TO
previously formed opinions. Gov. Pills
bury, it is understood. holds that all the
judges are qualified to pass upon the sub
ject excepting Mitchell of Winona, one ofthe
new appeintees, who was member OF the
legislature when the constitutional provi-
sion requiring submission to the people
was adopted, and thus far has declined to
designate anyone to sit in their places; /;
and thus the matter stands. What the
outcome will be can not now be told. The
entire act for settlement OF the bonds will
be imperative until the constitutional
question is arbitrated By the court and X
all tine supreme court judges have reason
able grounds for being excused from pass
ing upon the question 1t is doubtful ii any
lawyer OF prominence can be found in the
state who is qualified.
PROTECTOR.
CLEVELAND, March 24.-Mrs. Eieanore
McMann, Of this city. daughter OF ex-
Mayor Calkins, and the wife OF n conductor
on the Lake Shore railway, has invented a
sleeping car berth-guard, and has sold the
right to use it TO the Wagner company
The guard will prevent persons from rolling
out of the upper berth. and at the same
time prevent thieves from robbing passen~
gers while asleep in their berths. In brief,
the guard consists of railing made of
tubing. with woven wire cloth panels,
which is fastened on the inside ef the front
edge of the berth by double hinge, so
that it may be hinged to the bottom of
the berth or fall over the outside, but not
low enough to in any way interfere with
getting into or out OF the lower berth.
NEW WORKS.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, March 24.-The
Indianapolis Car Works company took
positive shape to day8in the purchase OF
ground west of thu river. and the accept
ance of contracts for the completion OF the
works by j July l, at which time the saom
pany will put four hundred men to work.
1t expects to manufacture fifteen freight
cars per day. Riley McKeen, Of the
VandaIia, is president The new company
will start on q cash capital of $500. 900.
Ohariet Millard, of Terre Haute, will be
general supertendent.
OPPOSING MATTHEWS.
WASHINGTON, March 23.-The Chicago
Inter Ocean has the following special:
WASHINGTON. March 20.-The opLo
ton to Stanley Matthews is taking turn
that is considered more damaging to his
chances of confirmation than the vague
allegations used against him before. lt Id
said to be now inevitable that long and
hotly contested litigation will ensue
between the government and the Uentral
Pacific Railroad. The government claims
under the law 25 per cent OF the net earn
ings of the company. This. according to
the reports of Auditor French. the road
has been evading, in part. by system OF
swIndling that he declares must be
checked.
The question will then come up as to
the constitutionality of this law under
which the government demands the
annuity. Thrae of the Judges on the
bench are already on record on the side OF
the government. Two haYe decided that
the law ID unconstitutional, and that the
government has DO right to the payment
of the money. Mr.. Mathews is also on
record as holding the same opinion, The
would make the court three the other.
with Judge Woods uncertain, he never
having been called on for an opinion
Judge Clifford and Hunt are practically
off the bench, so they are not counted. |
the interest of the government should not
be jsopardizsd By putting man on the
bench to tie it who is known to be against
the government acts OF Congress 10 case
where hundreds of millions are involved.
and they claim that the popular verdict
will be for his defeat.
Z. V. Smalley, who enjoys exceptional
relations with President Garfield. writes as
follows in the New York Tribune Saturday |
regarding the Presidents attitude toward
ex-senator Matthews: "One or two things |
ought to be said. | think. in regard to
Stanley Matthews appointment. in fair
ness to the administration, which has not
been said in the newspapers. President
Garfield, as all men who know Ohio politics
are aware, has 90 sort of admiration for
Matthews as politician.
He has more than once anssgonizad him
sharply on the currency question and the
silver question, and might, 1t he were
man to cherish resentments, feel aggrlev-
ed at Matthews. pushing him aside By the
help OF Mr.. Hayes. in the senatorial elec-
ton OF 1877. But he has great respect for
Matthews as iurist. believes that be has
unusual talents in that direction, and will
soon take rank on the supreme bench
among the most eminent men who have
sae there, and il coutented TO let time
demonstrate the wisdom of an appoint
ment which Is evidently an unpopular one
Ii his conhddnce in Matthews abilities
were less ample he could hardly refuse to
give him the fair chance for confirmation
oy the Senate. which he did not have 10
the last session, where his case was not
nd 20