Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-01-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
SPECIAL ooRREsPoNDENc OF THE MONITOR.
Wdshin0tOn. Ian o,3,

The Speaker and the democratic
leader of the House were Frustrated
by sudden illness the past week, and
in consequence, little of importance
was done in that body. Among the
bills passed by congress in that time,
| will name the act in regard to per-
missible writing and printing on third
and fourth class mail matter, which
has just become a law, and the bill
appropriating $685., 900 for agricultur-
al experiment stations in connection
with the various agricultural colleges
throughout the country.
The House spent a good portion of
one day in flibustering to prevent
consideration of the bill presented by
Mr.. wilkins of Ohio, to increase the
national bank circulation, which effort
was successful under the leadership
of Messrs. Weaver of Iowa and And
erson of Kansas. The remainder of
the same day was devoted by the
House to the reception Of the pictures
of the three Massachusetts, speakers,
presented by the old Bay State, and
added to the portrait gallery. There
were a number of excellent speeches,
and the occasion was of such general
interest that for the first time during
the session, there was not vacant
seat on the floor or in the galleries.
Among the orators who attracted
most attention were Messrs. Long
and Lodge of Massachusetts, and Mr..
Breckenridge of Kentucky.
The first regular appropriation bill
reported is the pension bill, the
amount proposed being a little over
eighty and a quarter million dollars,
which is four millions above the esti-
mate.
In response to petitions from all
parts of the Union, Mr.. Taulbee of
Kentucky has introduced an ironclad
prohibition bill for the District Of
Columbia, but, with refreshing frank
ness, that gentleman, who prides him
self on being the only democratic pro-
hibitionist in congress from his state,
admits that there is no possibility Of
its passage.
The most important legislation in
the senate was the passage of the act
to refund the direct tax of 1861, all
such claims to be filed within six
years. An Intellectual attempt was
made by the southern senators to in
clude the tax on cotton.
AS to the Blair educational bill, l
will mention that EX-Justice VIM.
Strong of the United States supreme
court, retired, is delivering a regular
course of lectures on the constitution
of the United States before the stu
dents of Columbia Law School of this
city. His last lecture was on the first
clause of the eighth section, Article /.
"The congress shall have power to
lay and collect taxes, duties, imports
and excuses, to pay the debts and
provide for the common defense and
general welfare of the United States. "
In the course of the remarks Of the
Judge, he was asked by student if,
in his opinion, the Blair educational
bill was constitutional? The Judge
promptly replied, 1T is my opinion
that it is unconstitutional, and this |
believe to be the opinion of the pres
ent bench.
The above obtained from a student
of the law school not wishing TO
make any mistake in the matter, your
correspondent proceeded to the resi-
dence of Ex-Justice Strong, finding
him at home. He was asked, sis it
true that you gave an opinion before
the Columbia Law School against the
constitutionality of the Blair billE"
His answer was, ~ did say that it
was my opinion that the measure was
unconstitutional, but it was in reply
to question and not as part of my
lecture. | had no intention or tho't
that my remarks would become pub
lie property, or | would not have Civ
en- an opinion. Ever since | retired
from the bench, it has been my fixed
principle never to give publicity to an
opinion on any matter before the SUI
preme court, and l shall not depart
from it. | am constantly in consult
alton and intercourse with members
of the bench, and my opinion on
questions before the court is frequent
ly asked by the judges, but | never
vary from the determination taken
when | left the bench. If | were
congressman, / might feel more at
liberty to discuss the Blair bill and
kindred measures, but l am not, ]
believe in strict construction of the
constitution.
The above opinion from Judge
Strong is undoubtedly a heavy hand
leap for the Blair bill to carry, for Ia
all probability the Judge but voiced
the opinion of a majority of the SUI
preme court. What effect It will
have on the status of the Blair bill in
congress it is impossible to say at
this time but it can scarcely be ia
vorable to that measure.
The president has pardoned Edwin ).
Magoon, convicted OF violating internal
revenue laws.