Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-24
HIS RIGHT TO OFFICE
The Case of Ex-D District Attorney Pargons Of
Alabama.
Decision of the Supreme Court Look
ed Forward to With
Interest.

In the United States Supreme Court to-
day Justice Peckham handed down the
opinion of the court in the case of L. E.
Parsons, late district attorney for the
northern district Of Alabama, appealed
frcm the. Court of Claims.
The decision was adverse to Parsons
claim that he was entitled, under section
769 of the Revised Statutes, to hold his Of
fee for fouI years. notwithstanding the
Presidents order of removal. Justice Peck
ham said that while the appointment was
for four years, it might be terminated
earlier, at the discretion of the President.
The Judgment of the Court of Claims was
affirmed.
The determination of this case has been
locked forward to with interest, because of
its possible effect upon the removal of Of
ficeholders incident to the change of ad-
ministration.
Parsons was removed from the office of
United States district attorney in Alabama
in 1888, having been appointed in 1850. He
wrote letter to the President, refusing to
81 rrel der the place, on the ground that as
he bad been appointed for term OF four
years the President had 10 right to remove
him before the expiration of that time. He
has fought the case through the various
federal courts on this theory, losing in the
lower court as he did today in the Supreme
Court.
Parsons has, however, not been in pos
session of the office during the contest. On
the day that he was removed Emmet
ONeil was appointed to succeed him, and
to him Parsons surrendered the office after
an order was issued to him by the Circuit
Court to do so. He prosecuted the case on
another basis from that time.
The Blythe Cnse.
In the United States Supreme Court to-
- in
volving the estate of the late millionaire
want of jurisdiction. The effect is to leave
the property in the possession of Mrs.
Hinckley, daughter of the millionaire.
Interstate Commerce Cases.
The Supreme Court affirmed the decision
of the court below in the case of c. S.
Wright of Pittsburg, Pa, charged with
violation of the portion of the interstate
commerce law prohibiting discrimination.
Wright granted rebates on beer to pay for
drayage This action was held to be in
violation of the law.
The United States Supreme Court de-
cided two cases today, holding that the
United States interstate commerce COM
mission has no power to prescribe rates on
railroads which may control in the future
The cases were those of the commission
agt. the Cincinnati and New Orleans Rail-
ROAD Company anu tilc L anu w SSl-
ern Company.
Local Cases Decided.
The United States Supreme Court today
affirmed the decree of the Court of Appeals
of the District of Columbia in the case of
Brooke Mackall against Westel Willoughby.
The decision was rendered by Mr.. Justice
Shiras. The matter involved in this case
was the question of an alleged Indebtedness
of Brooke Mackall to Willoughby and to
charge such Indebtedness against certain
land situated in Washington.
The Supreme Court reversed the decision
of the Court of Appeals Of the District of
Columbia in the case of Carlotta NJ. Mac
Greal and MilbuIne p. MacGreal against
Rose NJ. Taylor and Mamie K. Norment,
executrices of Sarah Ctermehle, deceased.
The cause is remanded for further pro-
ceedings, in conformity with the opinion Of
the court, which was delivered by Mr.. JUS
tice Harlan, the chief justice and Mr.. JUS
tice Brown dissenting.
In the case of +. ]. Peck and Leo Sim
mons against Christian Heurich, appealed
from the Court of Appeals of the District
of Columbia, the Supreme Court affirmed
the decision of the court below. The case
involved the ownership of certain parcels
of land.