Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-15
CIVIL RIGHTS.
The Act Unconstitutional.
DECISION OF THE Q. S. SUPREME COURT

With but one dissenting voice, that OF Justice
Harlan, the [. S. Supreme Court decided to-day
that the Civil Rights act is unconstitutional and
void Justice Bradley, who read the opinion of the
court, took the ground that the scope OF the 18th
and 14th amendments did not extend to the social
privileges sought to be guaranteed by the legis-
lation in question. Justice Harlan said that
under ordinary circumstances he would be slow to
oppose his individual Judgment to his colleagues
but this decision defeated what the people intended
to secure and supposed that they had secured, and
hence he must dissent from the opinion. He had
not had time to formulate his views. however, and
would now therefore merely announce his dissent
Quite number of prominent lawyers were within
the bar to listen to the opinion, including the At
torney General and Senators Bayard and Garla nd
The decision will apply to the five civil rights
cases In that court based on the first and second
SptIlos OF Ihe c,Vli rights act OF March ls. 1919
ihey are respectively prosecutions under the act
for not admitting certain cOlored persons to equal
accommodations and privileges in inns or hotels in
railroad cars and theaters The court holds. as
stated, that Congress had no constitutional author
ty TO pass the sections in question under either the
l3th or 14th amendment of the Constitution. The
decision. however, is held to apply only to the
validity, of the law in the states and not in the
territories or District of Columbia where the
legislative power of Congress is unlimited.
District Government Affairs.
GONE TO BULL RUN
District Commissioner EdmondS was not at his
ONCE to-day, having accepted an invitation to
accompany the veterans TO the historic battle fields
OF Bull Run.
ASSESSMENTS IN WEST WASHINGTON.
The clerks in the assessors Office have far pro-
gressed with the labor OF writing up the new books
and making fo0tingS, as to show the amount Of the
late assessment for Georgetown, which is 4,03,6l0
OF 81 .5U9, ,o33 less than it was five years ago.
COMPLAINT OF CITIZENS
James Payne 1922 COrcOran street. i'm note to
the commissioners, states that the pump at The
corner OF 10th and COrcoran streets requires imme-
date attention.
FIRE DEPARTMENT MATTERS.
Martin Cronin. of the fire department. reports
that at meeting OF the fOremen of the various en-
CINE companies Saturday navy blue shirt of ap-
proprate pattern, was adopted as their uniform
shirt for the members Of that service. 1t was re-
solved to have annual parldeS and that the District
commissioners be requested to name Thanksgiving
Day for the first parade under the adminiStrl-
tiOn, or any other day the Commissioners may deS-
1gnate. The Commissioners have agreed that that
day be fixed upon, not earlier than O'Clock pm.
me commissioners have appointed Silas w. Don
aSon private in the fire department service, vice
Lawrence Grant, resigned.
THE STREET CAR COMPANY MUST PAY.
First Controller Lawrence has decided that the
work done ON the th street road within two feet of
the street car track is chargeable to and must be
collected from the street car company, and has SO
informed the District Commissioners.
The Chiriqui Improvement Co. Case.
THE COURT REFUSES TO GRANT THE WRIT OF MAN
DAMUS AGAINST THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
Judge Hagner to-day, in the Court In General
Term delivered the opinion Of the court in the case
OF the United States ex. rel W. W. Warden, for the
Chlrlqul improvement Co., against W. E. Chandler,
Secretary Of the Navy-application for a writ of
Notwithstanding to grant the rule. Mr.. Warden
asked for the writ to compel the Secretary to pay
s200.o0O for the purchase of land for naval cOang
station on the 1SthmuS OF Panama. The court said
that there ground which to sustain the
application. Mr.. Warden noted appeal Oh excep-
tiOnS.
A DIVORCE GRANTED TO LAURA A. V. R1CHARDs-
To-day Judge James made decree of divorce In the
case or Laura \. V. Richards against Samuel Rich
ards. They were married in this city November TO-
1871, and lived for five years at 103 street south
west. She charges that he left her in 1877, and
naV1nS Oeen absent In PittSblrg two years. he sent
for her July Z, 1879. and she lived there with him
TILL December when he sold the furniture and left
saying that he was going to Chicago, leaving her
In 4 destitute condition. She also charges that he
frequently beat her The decree gives her the right
TO resume her maiden name of Cole.
FINED FOR PROMOTING THE CANE OF POLICY
Geo. w. Owens was before the Police Court to-day
charged with promoting the game OF policy. He was
nned $50 and costs In diSpOSiDg OF the case Judge
Smell remarked that he had mapped out new
course in these cases, but rs this was an Old case
and brought before the new agreement was made
he could pay the old fine.
COLLECTIONS FOR THE POPE.-The collection for
the Holy Father taken in the Catholic diocese OF
Baltimore September 3d. 1888, amounted in all 10
S5,913.36 The following sums were received from
this city: st. Matthews, $780, Trinity West Wash
1ngton, Sl4; st. Peters, S10; St. Patricks S95: St
AloyS1uS. {6O st. Stephens S55; Immaculate Con-
ception, s55; St Joseph's, s25; St Mary's so; in
mates OF the Little Sisters OF the Poor, $40; ST.
DOmin.c'S