Mohave County miner., 1888-02-04

tFE0a ucF BEGutAR coRREsFoEDEsr)
| ... WAsnEaTos, Jan. %, 1883.
The Speaker and the Democratic leader
OF the House wero prostra,ed with 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
permissible writing and printing on third
and fourth class mail mat,or, which has
just become law, and the bill appropri.
ating $5sj, 900 for agricultural experiment
stations in connection with the various
agricultural colleges throughout the
country.
The first regular appropriation bill 70.
ported is the Pension bill, the amount
proposed being a little over eight and q
quarter million dollars, which is four
millions above the estimate.
In response to petitions from all parts
Of the Union, Mr.. Taulbee, OF Kentucky,
has introduced an iron-clad prohibition
bill for the District OF Columbia, but, with
refreshing frankness, that gentleman, who
prides himself on being the only Demo
cratic prohibitionist in Congress from bis
state, admits that there is no possibility
OF its passage.
The most important legislation In the
Senate was the passage Of the act TO re-
fund the direct tax Of 1861, all such claims
to be filed within six years. An ineffsc.
.ual attempt was made by the Southern
1 Senators TO include the tax on cotton.
As to the Blair Educational bill, will
mention that ex-Justice Win. Strong, Of
the United States Supreme Court, 70.
tired, is delivering a regular course Of
lectures on the Constitution Of the United
States before the students OF Columbia
Law School, Of this city. His last lecture
was on the first clause Of the Eighth Sec.
ton, Article /, "The Congress shall
have power to lay and collect taxes,
duties, imports and excises, 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 II, In
his opinion, the Blair Educational Bill
was constitutional. The Judge promptly
replied, ut Is my opinion that Il 10 un.
constitutional, and this I believe to be
the opinion OF the present bench"
The above was obtained from student
Of the law school. Not Wishing to mako
any mistake in the matter, your CORES
pondent proceeded TO the residence Of
ex.Justice Strong. finding him ut home.
He was asked: '1s it true that you gave
an opinion before tho Columbia Law
School against the constiiutionality Of
the Blair bill?" His answer was, II did
say that Il was my opnionthat the meas
ure was unconstitutional, but II was In
reply to question and not as part Of
my lecture. had no intention or thought
that my remarks would become public
property, or I would not have given an
opinion. Ever since I retired from tho
bench 1t has been my fixed principle 10
neN er give publicity to an opinion on any
matter before the Supreme Court, and I
shall not depart from i. | am constantly
! ia consultation and intercourse with mem.
bers Of the bench, and my opinion on.
questions before the Court is frequently
asked by the Judges. but never vary
from the determination taken when loft
the bench. II were a Congressman I
might feel more at liberty to discuss the
Blair bin and kindred measures, but am
/ not: l believe in strict construction Of
the constitution"
The above opinion from Judge Strong
is undoubtedly heavy handicap for the
Blair bill TO carry, for in all probability
tho Judge but voiced tho opinion Of O
majority Of the Supreme Court. What
effect 1t will have on tho status OF the
Blair bill in Congress it is impossible 70
say at this time, but 1t can scarcely be
favorable to the measure.