Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-11-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Opinions Regarding the Civil Rights Decision,
cabinet Officers Reports-Blaine and
conkiing Fend-Register
Bruce's Views
special Correspondence

| eohking fead-Register
| Bruce's Views.
Special Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Oct. %, 1SS3.-The
decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States, deciding that the civil
rights act is unconstitutional and void.
was not surprise to the judicial and
legal circles of the Capital. Ever
since the law was forced into the Court.
the adjudication has been watched
with interest by the members of the
Washington bar. In this city, opinion
had been prepared for the result. But
when the reverberations of the decision
at the Supreme Court Chamber sound
ed over the whole Nation a general
CONSERVATION spread among the col
ored population to an extent that has
not been paralleled for some wears.
The law was enactedin the legislative
halls at each end of the Capital, and it
was annulled in the old Senate Cham
Der (now used as the Supreme Court
Room) near the Rotunda. Justice
Bradley read the decision, and there
was but one dissenting voice that of
Justice Harlan. Within the bar were
many prominent lawyers and politi-
clans, including the Attorney General
and Senators Bayard and Garland.
The void act was not. as is generally
reported, based upon the bill introduce
ed in the Senate by the lamented Sena-
tor Sumner. 1t is founded on the meas
ure which passed the House of Repre-
sentatives first in 1875, and was then
sent to the Senate. When it passed
the upper house of Congress, seven Re-
publican senators voted against il on
the ground of unconstitutionality They
were Senators Ferry of Connecticut.
Sprague of Rhode Island, Upton of
Nebraska, Schurz of Missouri, Lewis
of Virginia, Hamilton of Texas, and
Senator Carpenter. The argument of
Senator Carpenter upon the bill will be
remembered as q very able opinion,
and it was based upon the broad ground
laid down in the decision of the Su-
preme Court.
1t was held by the Supreme Court that
the scope of the 18th and 14th Consti-
tutional Amendments does not extend
to the social privileges sought to be
guaranteed by the act; that, consequent
ly, the States have exclusive power to
make such regulations for themselves;
and that Congress had no right to pass
such law for any state.
There is diversity of opinion here as
to whether the Civil Rights law is still
in force in the District of Columbia and
the Territories. But the decision is
plain on that point, and the the valid
ity of the law outside of the states can
not be questioned The District and
the Territories are governed by the I'M
limited legislation of Congress, and be-
cause the National Legislature attempt
ed to extend its jurisdiction beyond its
constitutional right does not affect its
legislation for the sections over which
it has unlimited control
The visit of Lord Chief Justice Cole
ridge to this city was the event of the
week just passed The National Gov
eminent has strained every resource to
do honor to SO eminent parsonage on
his first visit to the Capital. In person,
Lord Coleridge is tall, slender and ell
derby. As Chief Justice of Great Brit
ain, he has decided many questions of
international Importance, and he en-
joys reputation for keen judgment
and prime eruditiou such as it is the
good fortune of but few men to possess.
Chief Justice Waite had charge of his
reception on the part of the government.
The British Chief Justice has been feted
and dined by Secretary Frelinghuysen,
Attorney General Brewster. Chief JUS
tice Waite, and other high officials.
The President has been prominent at
all the receptions rendered in honor of
Lord Coleridge. He has had very
pleasant time, and expressed regret at
his early departure.
Once more rumor announces that
those two distinguished gentlemen of
New York and Maine, Mr.. Blaine and
Mr.. Conkling, are to fall into each 9TH
ers arms and weep themselves into
fondest reconciliation. This is to be
done on basis of Office holding.
Blaine, under this treaty, is to be given
the Presidency, while Conkling goes
back to his old seat in the Sanate. 1t is
nice little arrangement, but no clear
headed person would ever imagine that
they are going to roll up their big in
dividualities into one big ball of politi-
cal putty. Their personal animosity IS
more likely to keep up the present good,
healthy circulation of Gods free air
between them.
Register of the Treasury Bruce, who
is prominent colored leader says that
''the effect of the civil rights decision
will be to carry the country backwards
fifteen years at least. Nothing has oc-
Cured since the war to so much en-
barass and discourage the colored
race"
JUNIUs.