The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-16
MAY PROFIT
MAY SELL FLOUR SEIZED BY BRIT
ONS AT GOOD PRICES.
State Department Not Omcially In
formed 1t Has Been Released
Supreme Court Decisions.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 15.-The State De-
partment does not know officially that the
American provisions seized by the British
war vessels have been released. 1t is un-
derstood however, that the New York
firms. which consigned the goods to South
Africa have received information to that
effect from their representatives at Lou
renzo Marques The department does not
know that the flour on the Mashona has
been landed at Durham and that the cargo
of the Maria has been placed In lighters.
1t is probable that all of the provisions
will pass into the possession of the British
government through purchase, if the own
ers are willing to sell and the State De-
partment is now trying to ascertain their
wishes. If the owners decide not to sell
then the goods will be turned over to their
regular representatives and the British
government will pay sum of money suf-
ficent to cover any loss that has been in
CURED. 1t is suggested that in view of the
rapid rise in the price of provisions in
South Africa, the owners of the seized pro-
visions may actually realize a handsome
profit by the detention of i..eir goods un-
til this time. The sum of money involved
in case the British government is expected
to pay damages is said to be Insignificant.
though the absence from the invoice of
figures showing the billed price of the COM
modities has SO far prevented an accurate
estimate. .
Director of the Census Merriam suggests
to the agriculturists of lie country that
they use some of their spare time between
now and June next in thoroughly preparing
themselves to answer promptly and ac-
curately the questions relative to the acre
age, quantity and value of crops, the
quantity and value of all farm products.
animal and vegetable; the cost of fertili-
ZerS and farm labor, and in fact all the
items of farm operations for the calendar
year 1899, which the census enumerators
are by law compelled to ascertain. This,
he says, will result in full and accurate
census.
The United States Supreme Court to-day
decided another of the naval prize-money
cases growing out of the capture of vessels
during the blockade of Havana in the war
with Spain. The case was appealed from
the decision of the Circuit Court of South
Carolina, the vessel involved being the
Newfoundland. The decision of the lower
court reversed the Supreme Court
holding that the actions of the Newfound-
land were suspicious enough to justify its
seizure, but not to warrant forfeiture. The
restoration of the vessel to its owner was
therefore ordered but without damages or
costs. The Newfoundland is owned in Hall
fax.
The court dismissed the suit of the State
o; Louisiana VS.. the State of Texas and
its health officer, involving the right of the
latter State to quarantine so vigorously
against the former as was done during the
recent prevalence of yellow fever in New
Orleans. Justice Fuller handed down the
opinion of the court, holding that no direct
issue between the States is presented in the
controversy.
Justice Brown rendered an opinion in the
case of Henry Bolln VS.. the State of Ne
braska on application made by Bolin for
a writ of error to the Nebraska Supreme
Court in the matter of the CONVICTION of
Bolln, former city treasurer of Omaha, of
the crime of embezzement. The opinion
refused Bolln's application, affirming the
opinion of the state court and Affirming
the constitutionality of the Nebraska law,
providing for proceeding in criminal cases
on information processes.
In the case of w. j. Cruikshank vs..
George r. Bidwell, collector of customs at
New York, the decree of the Circuit Court
for the Southern district of New York was
affirmed by the Supreme Court. Cruik-
shank, an importer of teas, attacked the
constitutionality of provisions of the Tea
inspection law authorizing the destruction
of condemned tea. The decision was al
verse to his contention.
The solicitor general to-day entered a
motion In the United States Supreme Court
to have the case of Charles F. Champion
VS.. Ames United States marshal for the
Northern district of Illinois. advanced on
the docket The case involves the consti-
nationality of the anti-lottery Law.
To-day's session of the House was de-
voted to consideration of District of Column
bia business. Representative June w.
Gayle, of Kentucky, was sworn in and Mr..
Cannon reported the urgent deficiency bill
with a notice that he would ask that 1t
be taken UP tomorrow. On motion of Mr..
Clark IN. W, a resolution was adopted
formation relative to the status of the
agreement between Great Britain and the
United States which prevented the United
States from building, arming or maintain
ing more than one war vessel upon the
great lakes.
The Senate, in executive session to-day,
confirmed the nomination of s. Davies
Warfield to be a postmaster of Baltimore.
This ends a long fight in which Senator
Wellington opposed and Senator McComas
favored confirmation.
The insular committee of the House gave
a hearing to-day to representatives of the
Commercial Cable Company of Cuba. on
the bill granting them the right to land
a cable in Cuba. The Western Union Tel
egraph Company will be heard on Jan. rs
in opposition to the measure
Commander c. c. Pollock has been ap-
pointed chief photographer of the Navy
Department, relieving Captain Craig, who
is going to England in a few days on an
American line steamer TO bring the cruiser
Albany to the United States.
The ways and means subcommittee re-
Gently named to inquire as to the legal
meaning of the United States" as ap-
plicable to newly-acquired islands de-
tendencies, in a session to-day discussed
the general subject. The members feel that
the question is pivotal one on which will
depend the adoption of tariff systems for
the islands The only decision directly
bearing on the point is by Chief Justice
Marshall holding that the term United
States" means the entire territory over
which this government exercises control.
The members of the committee. including
Mr.. Newlands, who started the inquiry,
are inclined to view the foregoing opinion
as a dictum incidental to the case and not
establishing fixed principle of law.