The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-19

be- determined whether American con-
troll OF the Nicaragua canal or the up
holding Of the Monroe doctrine was to
be included among the differences TO be
submitted TO arbitration.
The canal bill provides for an issue
of 500. 0OO, 900 OF Maritime Canal COM
pany stock, of which the secretary OF
the treasury, in behalf of the United
States, is To subscribe for NO,OOo,OOo
worth OF shares. The company Is TO is
sue bonds up to s100.000O00. these TO be
guaranteed by the United States. The
building and control OF the canal are
given to American engineers ana a
board of II directors, OF whom five are TO
be appointed by the president. 1t Is
substantially the measure passed py uhe
senate I'm the last congress.
During the day, Mr. Chandler OF New
Hampshire introduced the Republican
caucus bill for an international none
tary conference, and state that IT would
be called up today. Among the resolu-
tions offered was one from Mr.. Pet
tigrew OF South Dakota. calling on the
secretary OF state for a statement OF the
status OF the Venezuelan question, and
for the agreement made between the
United states and Great Britain.
The house passed three bills OF public
inheritance. and devoted the remainder
of the day TO District ef Columbia busi-
ness. One prohibited the sale OF In
toxicating liquors 10 the Indians, one
amended the existing patcnt laws, In
conformity with the recommendation
of the American Bar association, and
another provided for the use by the gov
einment of patents secured by naval
officers, compensation to be nXed py
a board of three officers.
Supreme Court Decisions.
Washington, Jan. 19.-The supreme
court has decided the. portion OF the
South Carolina dispensary law which
provides for the inspection of liquors
imported into the state 10 be in contra
vention OF the constitution Of the United
States. The opinion. wtsh had been pre-
pared by Jusice Shiras. wasstated very
briefly by Chief Justice Fuller. The writ
ten opinion is a very elaborate docu-
ment, but the chief justice gave very
brief synopsis Of 1t. and declined after
wards 10 give the document TO the pub
| tic. The court also declared Texas
state law to be unconstitutional. The
decision was rendered in the case OF the
| Gulf Colorado ana santa Re Railfoai
compan VS.. w. III. Ellis. appealed from
| the supreme court of Texas by the rail-
road company. The case involved case
! against the railroad company in which
claim was also made for a Judgment for
attorneys fees under the state law OF
| 1889, allowing SO for such fees in claims
against railroad companies where the
| litigation results against the company.
| The court held that the law is in contra
vcntion OF the 18th amendment, in that
| IL deprives the railroad company OF
| property without due process of law, and
denies TO them the same protection OF
the law granted others. The chief JUS
tice and Justices Gray and White dis
| sented.
decree was entered by the court fix
ing the boundary line between the states
Of Iowa and Missouri, in accordance
with the findings of the commissioners
appointed by the court TO fix the line.
Two ladies. Miss Caroline II. Pier OF
Wisconsin and Miss Alice a. Minnick OF
| Nebraska were admitted to practice, in
creasing the number of ladies who pos.
sess this privilege TO IS.