The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-03-16

WAsnlSdroS, D. O.. March l5.-Now
that the supreme court has concluded
tho hearing In tho income tax case aud
all tho light, which the supreme court
can expect 10 receive from outside
sources, has been thrown upon tho
questions involved, considerable spccn.
lation has atison on tho two points rs to
wha. tho decision will DO when reached
and whom it is likely to DO reached,
Naturally no ono would attempt to
definitely settlo either question. and tho
opinions Of those whose opinions arc
entitled 10 consideration. arc very much
at variance on both points. There is
substantial agreement in tho belief that
the court will make an effort to reach 4
conclusion at the earliest possible day
aud ut any rate before tho time set Tor
tho law to 20 into effect, which is tho
10Th OF April, next
The court is at all times disposed to
accommodate the government In such
matters when 1t can do so without
stretching the prophecies, and it is
taken for granted that the judges In the
present instance appreciate the impor-
lance TO the treasury department OF
having tho validity OF the Law finally
settled before the machinery for Its ex-
eCution shall DO put into complete oper-
alton. That the necessity for an carly
adjudication for this and other reasons
is understood BY the court has been
demonstrated by its advancing the cases
on the docket for argument out OF their
ordor. It Is also believed on tho part Of
many that the recess announced until
the 25th instant is largely for the pur-
pose OF permitting immediate consider
alton OF the cases, and the suggestion
has been made that decision may be
expected upon the frat sitting OF the
court after the recess.
Those who are most familiar with the
methods OF the court however, accept
the suggestion OF so early decision as
we'll founded as they say tina. on tho
other hand it may be delayed for con-
siderable time. even despite tho anxiety
OF the court itself to reach an early dc.
termination. They base this opinion
upon the responsibility which the court
will feel in finally disposrg Of such
momentous questions rs are involved,
upon their knowledge OF the characters
OF the members OF the court for mature
elaboration and upon the fact that the
judges will each and all consider it in
cumbent uDon them 20 make very
thorough Investigations and weigh care
fully the questions presented by coun-
sci and by one another before passing
judgment Furthermore, in the ab-
scnce OF Justice jackson, there is pos
sibility OF divided court. While no
one can have any basis Tor an opinion
as to the character 1.-THE decision when
it shall be reached, the general belief
ia that it will not DO unanimous ono
way or the other. but which side OF the
controversy will secure the majority OF
opinion is everywhere recognized as one
OF the questions that cannot be deter.
mined until the document itself shall
be read from the bench.
There arc those who profess to have
seen indications OF aleaning one way or
tho other by the suggestions made and
questions put by the members oil the
court to counsel while tho argumen,
was in progress, but the purport OF
these suggestions was generally colorod
by the bias OF the persons hearing
them. There can, in fact, be no SUBJ
stantial basis for any representation
as to the result. The opinions ventured
by some that but for the previous deci.
sions sustaining the tax the law would
surely bc declared unconstitutional, but
those who make the suggestions arc the
frat to admit the force OF precedent in
the court.