The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-13
FREE SILVER COINAGE.
ANOTHER EFFORT TO HATE THE
Law LEGdLLY TESTED.

An Attorney of the Silver Mine Owners TO
Present silver Brick to the Mint-Tbe
Case to be Taken to the Supreme Court
Washington News and Notes.
WAsHINoToS. March 12- Especial Mr..
Me7rick, the attorney and agent Of the COM
bination Of silver miners. who several months
Ago determined TO appeal to the courts in be-
half Of free silver coinage, left this city to-
night for Philadelphia TO begin his litigation
Just where lie started at the outset. Acting
FOR this combination Of miners Merrck came
from Denver several months ago with silver
bnck which he rendered for coinage
AZ the Philadelphia mint. The superin-
eendent refused 10 accept the brick,
whereupon Merrick applied to the di-
rector of the mint and subsequently 20
the Secretary # the Treasury IN Washing
fon These officials also refused. pointing 10
the law as u existed as their justification.
Nerrick next applied 20 the Supreme Court of
the District Of Columbia for q mandamus 10
compel the Secretary OF the ITeasury.
o. accept and com the tender OF
silver In making his application to the Court
Merrck based his demand upon the Bland
acf of Congress of February 22. 1873. lie sub
mittcd brief which was prepared by eX-At-
torney-Generals PieuepOnt and Garland.
The chief points of this brief were given IN
THE IIMEs dispatches on the day II was sub
mltted.
In short the contention was that the eXclu-
H0n or debasement Of silver was unconsttu-
tional The Court made an order directing
the Secretary of the Treasury TO respond
within ten DAYS and show cause why be
should not direct the coinage of silver as de
manded Pending this and before the cxpl-
ration of the time fixed Secretary WINDOW
died Meulck then sought To- avoid delay
and facilitate the litigation hv having Sccro-
mry Foster, after his appointment; substituted
fur Window Tin, could only Zoe done 10y COM
mon consent Secretary Foster sald he was
willing 90 have the suit progress from Just
where 1t had been interrupted 10y Nj WIN
d.m'- DEATH provided the Auomey-General.
fHp law officer OF the Government dld not
object But tine Attorney-General did
object He said that as the repre-
tentative Of the Government, II was ms
lutv q, contend for the enforcement of the
statute a- interpreted. Hence the only course
i.sf for Mcruck was % begin ms SUIT de novo
Ue has gone o. Philadelphia. and tomorrow
viii again make the tender Of his sill
vcr brick for coinage. He Will, OF
course. le refused He Will then re-
turn to Washington. and will again 60
through the routine of making demand
upon the director of the mint and the SecTe-
tarv of tho Treasury, and, upon being de-
med viii repeat hls appeal % the District
Suureme Court for a mandainus. He expects
10 obtain another order substantially the
same as that formerly granted, and hls ult-
mate object IS to get the question
before the United States supreme Court
at the earliest date practicable. Mer-
rick believes that the supreme Court
viii advance tho hearing when the question
shall formally reach that tribunal IN order
that an early decision upon TINS important
question may be had The limit Of time fixed
So. t.ft.r ffI i..rH D.. b t
was February 5th, but has death occurred
January 29th. Eminent counsel have been
retained 10 argue The case before the courts.
rHr srNDBY CIVIL BILL
The Board OF Management of the Govern
ment exhibit held % meeting 40 the Treasury
Department to-day. the FIRST since the mp
proyal OF the Sundry Civil biu 70 consider
the law and learn the extent and limitations
OF It's powers. 4 certified copy Of the blll
having been submitted TO sthe Comptroller,
the opinion Of that official was read 20 the
board substantially to the effect tuat the law
conferred all the powers which had been set
by the board. The available funds
for the purpose Of the Government exhibit
amount o. $4,000 for the remainder Of the
present fiscal year and s3j0,00 for the next
fiscal year. and the law conter- in terms tine
power (Which WAS questionable under the
original laWl 90 construct and purchase arl-
clcs and materials for the exhibit. and % em-
ploy the necessary export assistance o. per-
form the work nf the board. lt is limited by
lHw. however. 90 the expenditure oi 5000
for clerical assistance The committee on
quarters having secured rooms IN the new
building of the Safe Deposit Company. au-
thorty was conferred % furnish them for im-
mediate occupancy. Tie board adjourned TIL
NeHt Wednesday.
POSTAL SUBSIDY BILL.
IN answer 20 inquiries this evening. the
o 81 D. u