Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-05-28
MORMON PROPERTY.
Order of the Supreme Court as to
It's Disposition.
IT NAY Be USED FOR CHARITY.
Bank Directors Not Responsible For Bad
Loans Made by Presidents-Express
Company Licenses sStand-InspectiOn
Law Unconstitutional

WASHINGTON, May 26.-When the su-
preme court at its last term upheld the
constitutionality of the Edmunds law,
by which the property of the late cor
poration of the church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints, otherwise known
as the Mormon church, was escheated
to the United States, it found itself in a
somewhat embarrassing position. The
doctrine of escheat was quite unknown
in this country, and no purpose consld-
cred laudable aud proper of similar
nature to that for which the property
was formerly used was known to which
the property could be devoted The
court, therefore, instead of sending its
decree down, withheld it, a strong in
timation being conveyed of the desire
of the court that congress should by
law direct the disposition to be made of
the property.
Congress having failed to adopt the
suggestion made, the court through
Justice Bradley yesterday made its
final order in the case and modified in
more respects the decree it entered at
the last term. The modification recites
that the Mormon corporation having
been dissolved there do not now exist
any trusts or purposes within the OBJ
jects and purposes for which the per-
sonal property was originally acquired
for which any part of the personal
property could be used or dedicated
that are not in whole or part opposed
to public policy and good morals and
that furthermore there does not exist
any person or corporation legally en-
titled to any of the personality as sue
cessors of the late church.
The decree then says that the person
al property having devolved to the
United States it should be devoted to
such charitable uses, lawful in charac-
ter, as may most nearly correspond to
its former destiny, unless in the mean
time congress shall otherwise direct, or
a master shall report some scheme
which shall meet the approval of the
court for the disposition of the property.
The decree finally directs that the
property and all the accumlations re-
main in the custody of the receiver>un-
til otherwise ordered and that out of it
costs of the suit and receivership be
paid. The Utah supreme court is di-
rected to take the necessary proceed
ings.
IMPORTANT To BANKERS.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-The United
States supreme court by majority of
five to four affirmed the judgment of
the circuit court for the Northern dis
trict of New York in the case of Albert
B. Briggs, receiver of the First Ma
tional bank of Buffalo, against E. G.
Spaulding ct al, directors of the bank.
The receiver sought to hold the di-
rectors responsible for bad loans made
by the president of the bank No dis
honesty was charged, but it was as
serted that if the directors had given
proper attention to the affairs of the
bank it would not have failed, and that
heJlirectors were liable to the bank.
The court holds that the directors are
simply to exercise ordinary prudence,
and that this prudence is to governed
by usage in bank affairs. This was
done in the present case.
The case is of great Importance, in
volving the relations of all national
bank directors. The opinion was by
the chief justice.
EMPRESS LICENSES ALL RIGHT.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-The United
States supreme court, through Justice
Bradley, has rendered a decision for
the state of Kentucky in the suit by
Crutcher, agent of the United States
Express Co., who claimed that the law
of the state imposing a license on ex-
press companies was violative of the
Interstate commerce clause of the fed
eral constitution.
The court also held that the Virginia
law requiring inspection, for which fees
were charged, of flour manufactured
outside of the state when sold within
the state to be contrary to the federal
constitution.