Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-06
It May Lead to Some Interesting
Developments.
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION LIKELY
Question May Be Acted on by the
Supreme Court.
POLITICAL PHASE MIXED


sugar bounty cases is expected to lead to
some very interesting developments in the
near future. While there is very little in
terest in the matter of the sugar planters
getting or not getting the five millions
promised them, there is a great deal in the
question of whether an officer appointed
by the President in the executive branch of
the government can assume the highest
function of the judicial branch, and whether
the declaration of democratic national
convention that protection through the
tariff and bounties is unconstitutional, has
all the force of decision Of the Supreme
Court in controlling the action of the ex-
ecutive departments
The decision of Mr.. Bowler is regarded
as political move, which, while it may
lose Louisiana to the democrats, is intend
ed to give color of judicial sanction to the
democratic platform declaration that all
forms of bounty are unconstitutional.
Congregational investigation.
The new republican Congress will proba-
bly, care very little about the individual in
terests of the Louisiana planters, but they
will not be apt to pass without notice this
attack upon the protective tariff policy.
1t is regarded as almost certain to result
in congressional investigation, and it is
expected that articles of Impeachment
against Mr.. Bowler may be introduced. If
the planters can carry their case to the
Supreme Court it will probably result dis
aStrously to the democratic platform decla-
rations. majority of the Supreme Court
Believe in the Interpretation put upon the
Constitution by the republicans, and they
would probably not let the opportunity go
by to have decision by the highest tri-
bunal on this question, which was raised
squarely for the first time by the last DEM
ocratic national convention, though it
might not he necessary to a. decision of the
case, involving the question of the con-
trollers authority, that the constitutional
status of bounties should be discussed.
Political Phase Mixed.
The political phase of the mere question
of paying the planters claims is greatly
mixed, and on account of that the depart
ment may count en- the republican Congress
being silent as to the matter. By the state
ment Of henderson the Louisiana demo-
cratic delegation in Congress the appro-
priation for these bounty claims was in
fulhllment of a promise made to induce the
planters of that state to support the demo-
cratic ticket at the last congressional elec-
tion. Had 1t not been tor thai. they have
declared, several Of the democratic candi-
dates would probably have been defeated.
From this point of view the plight of the
planters is not apt to appeal very strongly
to the republican sympathies, and 1t is
only the general principle involved by the
nature of the controllers decision which
will interest them. It is believed, however,
that the result will be that in the next
election Louisiana will be lost to the demo-
Gratis, both on the presidential and the con-
gressional ticket. 1t is possible that Louis
lana may figure as prominently in the set
tlement of the presidential contest Of '96
as 1t did ten years before.
Will Go to the Supreme Court.
There seems to be no doubt that the
question will go to the Supreme Court of
the United States for final determination.
Within the next few days Secretary Car
Isle will certify the case to the Court of
Claims under section 1903 of the Revised
Statutes, stating to the court that 1t is al
legged by the claimants that a right under
the Constitution has been denied them. and
askirg that, as great public interests are
involved, the court pass upon the matter
at an early date. Under the rules of the
court the claimants might put off making
their appearance for more than six months,
but there seems to be no reasonable doubt
that the Oxnard Company will favor
early adjudication although Senator Caf-
ferry, it is understood, has protested against
being forced into the courts on the ques-
ton involved.
The case. when it reaches the Court of
Claims, will be under the charge of Assist
ant Attorney General j. E. Dodge, who is
especially charged with the defense of the
government in all cases before that court.
Mr.. Dodge very likely Will ask to have the
case advanced, and it is probable, in view
of the interests involved, that the court
will consent to try it almost Immediately
after it reconvenes on October 49, unless
the claimants should ask further time for
preparation. 1t is the general expectation,
however, that both parties will be ready
early in November. Whatever the decision,
the case undoubtedly will be appealed to
the Supreme Court. The government, it is
said, would not rest on an adverse decision
and 1t is equally certain that the claimants
would not. In the meantime, all claims for
bounty under the appropriation will be
held up pending final determination by
the Supreme Court of the question of the
constitutionality of the appropriation.