The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-15
SEC'Y HOKE SMITHS PLAN.
To Test the LlW establishing Prohibition
Tax on State Banks.
SPEAKER REED WANTS TO BE FAIR.
There Are to be No Attempts 70 Steal seste
for Repubiicans-The Have Got
Enough Seats aud VIII Not Try to
Secure Any More

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. December IA
Special-The attenaion OF Southern
democratic members OF the H0ust
OF Representatives is being strong.
ly attracted to the proposition
made TO Georgia Legislature by Secretary
Hoke smith. regarding the establishment
of State bank of issue for the purpose
of again testing In the Supreme Court OF
the United States, the constitutionality
of the prohibitivo tax upon State bank
notes.
The plan outlined by Secretary Smith
in his speech to the Georgia Legislature.
contemplates the repeal of the present
law OF the State. which requires a de-
posit of $4,000. preliminary TO the estab-
lishmCnt of bank, IN order that those
who attempt to make the test case may
not be put TO any unnecessary expense.
Ii is then proposed 10 have the case ar
gued before the Supreme Court by prom
inent Southern lawyers, who are sum
ciently interested IN the matter 20 yolun.
teer their services.
There Is little question that Mr. Smith
will be one of them. and that the best
talent IN the Congressional representa-
tion OF the Southern States will be dis
played in the case
In this respect the hearing OF the ques-
tlon promises 10 be n noted one, without
fe nee tn fho important consequences
certain to attend a favorable decision
by the Court
II is said there Is 20 be no attempt 70
steal seats for Republicans, and each case
will be examined without regard TO the
politics OF the contestant. This Is simply
a matter of policy with Mr.. Reed. lie
does not need the seats. and besides.
there Is always before him the almost
automatically correct axiom OF politi-
clans that seating a contestant unfairly
always results I'm the overwhelming cleo
tion OF the unseated member. the session
following or at least man OF opposite
politics TO the Illegally seated contestant.
In the F'ifty-First Congress. Mr.. Reed
needed Republicans. and the Elections
Committee did its work with regard TO
his needs. In the present Congress Mr..
Reed has too many Republicans. and
would be glad to reduce his majority II
such a thing were possible.
THE BELKNAP CASE.
The first election case 10 be brought
Up Will be that Of the contest OF Belknap
vs.. McGann. Lawrence Mccain IS the
well-known Democrat and labor advocate
OF Chicago: one OF the fairest and squar-
est men ever seated in the House OF Rep
resentatives. He was legally elected as
blieved and given his certificate After
young Belknap claimed that the election
was not fair. and that votes had been
counted for McGann that had never been
legally cast, and that even by these
means the count had not been large
enough TO entitled him 60 seat In the
House. McGann waived his legal right
to his seat and assisted Beknap In the
vestigation of the election. Re soon
learned enough TO satisfy him. that Bel
knap had really received the majority Of
the votes cast. lie has covered back
into the Treasury all the salary duo him
since last March. and when the commit
tees on elections are announced, VIII go
before the one having his case I'm charge
and will renounce his right TO a seat. in
favor OF Belknap. Thus this case Will
be easily disposed or The other cases
will be taken up in order. and will be
decided at the earliest moment. The Re-
publcans who hope TO get into the House
on fimsy contests brought with the hope
Of being seated by the Republican major
ity, will be disappointed. however. II
each case Is decided solely on its merits.
Mr.. Henry u. Johnson. Of Indiana, one
of the brightest Republicans In the
House, will be chairman of one Of the
on contested election cases,
and although a partisan OF the hitterest
stripe. he announces that he VIII not al
low himself TO be Influenced In this work
by partisan motives. and VIII decide each
case before him with the irnpartiality OK
a judge on the bench.
III this programme Is carried out
there IL little llkelyhood OF any change
I'm the Virginia delegation. Fear had been
expressed that the Republicans In tho
House would extend a helping hand 20
those Republicans I'm the South. who are
endeavoring to win the southern States
from their allegiance TO Democracy and
who are beginning to feel the need OF
some substantial reYprds for their ef-
forts. If. however. IN Republicans have
determined 10 deal honestly with this
matter, there is no danger Of such re-
suits.
NJ l.. Merritt has been appointed post
master at Dobyn, Patrick county, Vir-
glnia. Vice c. l.. Saunders resigned.
.