Nevada County picayune., 1891-11-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
1 From our special correspondent. l

From our speclAl correspondent.
 Washington, D. c. Nov. II, 1891.
 Not since the backing" of the United States Supreme Court by a Republican President, to get the eel ebrated legal tender decision, has there been such bold attempt on the part of an administration to in- tluence decision of the Supreme Court as that which occurred here this week when the Attorney-Gen- eral informed the Supreme Court, then listening to an argument by the Solicitor General in the new cele- brated Sayward case, which involves the question of American jurisdiction over Behring's Sea, that treaty had been concluded with Great Britian, by which the disputed quest ions concerning the rights of the | nited States are to be settled by arbitration, without entering into the question of the rightfulness of the position taken by the United States in its arguments in this case that the case is political and there fore under the exclusive jurisdiction of the President. It is desired to call special attention to the method adopted by the administration through its representative, the At torney-General, to influence the Court to decide that it has no juris- diction. It was on the last day of the arguments that the Solicitor General, apparently by slip of the tongue, alluded to treaty with Great Britian for the arbitration of the Behring's Sea dispute. Justice Gray asked question concerning that treaty and the Solicitor-Gen- eral, apparently confused, said that he was afraid that he had betrayed State secret. Just at this oppor- tune moment the AttorneyGeneral arose and dramatically stated that such treaty had been negotiated, and that only the ratification of the Senate was necessary for 1t to go into effect. Ii was plain to be seen that the statement created a sensa- ton among the justices of the court, l just as it was intended that ii should, | There is no doubt that the scene had been previously carefully rehearsed by the Attorney-General and the Solicitor General, nor is there that this information was made public at just this time and place for the eX- press purpose of influencing the court to decide the question as the administration wants it decided. No details are ascertainable of this alleged treaty. and there are grounds for the belief that it has not yet been entirely agreed upon, notwithstand- ing the positive statement of the At torney.General. Mr Blaine refused point blank to say one word about it, which is of itself significant. But whether the treaty has been con- cluded or is only near conclusion, makes no difference. The time, place and manner of making it pub lie was wrong. The executive branch of the Government exceeds its Constitutional authority whenever it attempts in any way to influence the judicial branch, which is by the constitution made coordinate in authority. But, come to think of it, what Republican administration ever respected the Constitution when it did not accord with it, designs.
 The Supreme Court has postponed hearing arguments in the case in- volving the constitutionality of the Mckinley tariff act, because of a clause being left out of the bill as it passed the house and Senate when it was signed by the President, until the 30th of this month. The hearing of arguments in the case involving the right of Speaker Reed to count a quorum has been set for the same date, and the lottery case for the first Monday in January. Mir Harris on is charged with being bitterly opposed to the holding of the Re publicanS nominating convention in Chicago. The question will be de- cided by the National Committee al its meeting here on the 23rd, of this month.