St. Landry democrat., 1888-04-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, March 26, 1855

WASHINGTON, March rs, 1888.
The sudden and unexpected death of
Chief Justice Waite, of the United
States Supreme Court on Friday morn
ing. at his residence in this city, was
like a thunderbolt from cloudless sky.
Everybody was shocked. Few people
knew that he was sick, lie having on
Monday presided over the session OF the
Court which made some important de-
,cisions, including the one in favor OF
the Bell Telephone Company. Justice
Waite was very popolar in this city.
He was loved and revered by every
one with whom he came in contact and
his loss will be felt by large circle of
friends.
Justice Waite was an honest, pains
taking, upright officer, and the seventh
man who has held that distinguished
place. He was appointed Chief Justice
from Ohio in 1874, by President Grant,
Chase. The funeral services will be
held on Wednesday in the Hall of the
House of Representatives, and the re-
mains will be taken to Toledo for in
terInent. Mrs. Waite, who was visiting
California at the time of the Justices
death, ia on her way to Toledo, and is
expected to reach there about the time
her,husband's remains arrive there.
The political importance of this death
can hardly be over estimated. If the
proper appointment shall be made to
the vacancy, it will have great effect to-
wards bringing the Court back to the
strict construction of the Constitution
for whichit was noted previous to the
late war; This appointment, owing to
the even manner in which the opinions
of the eight Justices are now balanced,
places more power as well as larger
has probably ever before fallen on
President.
Still the country need have no fears
He will appoint the right man. Among
Democrats here it is pretty generally
believed that the appointment will go
either to Speaker Carlisle, or Postmas-
ter-General Dickinson, although quite
number of other gentlemen are favor
ably mentioned. But everybody may
be sure the President will take his own
time to fill this important position, after
carefully considering the claims of all.
The House has passed bill to pre-
vent the products of convict labor from
being furnished to or for the use of any
Demartment of the Government and
from being used in public buildings
or other public works, and to prevent
the employment of alien labor on Dub-
lie buildings and works and in the Gov
ernment Departments
Civil Service Commissioner Oberly,
of Illinois, ia favorably mentioned for
the vice Presidential nomination.
Cleveland and Oberly does not sound
so bad.
Chairman Barnunl, of the National
Democratic Committee has been here
for several DAYS. He says the outlook
is all that could be asked.
The Senate has passed the bill re-
ducing the postage on seeds, bulbs,
plants, shrubs, etc, to four cents a
pound.
The House committee on Revision of
the laws have reported favorably on
the joint resolution proposing an
amendment TO the Constitution for the
election of United States Senator by
the direct votes of the people.
Senator Salisbury. OF Deleware,
made strong speech in the Senate on
Thursday in support of the Presidents
message. He said "The Democratic
party is not in favor of free trade, but
it is earnestly in favor Of reducing tariff
rates so that M greater taxation would
be imposed on the people than was ne
cessary to meet the just demands of the
Government He further stated that
he was in favor of retaining the taxes
on beer, whisky and tobacco, in order
to relieve from taxation everything es-
sential to the comfort and welfare Of
the people.
The report sent out from this city
chat the committee having charge of
the matter had secured money enough
to purchase d residence here for the
widow of Gen. Hancock, was a mistake.
The committee has made a report
through its chairman, Mr.. Stilson
Hutchins, which shows that they are
still in need of subscription to the
fund. It is extremely probable that
this statement will bring in contribu-
tions enough to accomplish this very
laudable purpose. ss.
The International Council of women
held their opening session yesterday
afternoon. Many distinguished women
from all parts of the country are ii, at i
tendance. The council will last week
Excitement i'm Texas.
fS0.XS a;fan,nnt hnc tnat oaurad III