St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-05-09

the national monument since it was
opened to the public and it is singu-
lar to relate that ofthe 1T memorial
tablets in the interior there is not one
but has been Clipped by some relic
hunter. 1t is said that bridal couples
on their honeymoon are about the
worst vandals.
The monument was opened Oct. .,
1885. Ninety tablets that were pre-
sented by patriotic and other So
cieties have been injured. The diff
Guilty seems to be that the police only
assess very small fine, as one dol
lar and upwards when a person is
arrested. 1t is thought it might be
stopped if a heavier fine was made.
1t is estimated that the damages
amount to $3.50 in fifteen years.
The announcement that the Ken
lucky government case would come
up before the United States Supreme
Court upon Monday, May 1st,
brought out an interested company
of people; Although the court opens
at II noon. l found nearly every seat
taken at L a. m. and inside the BAR
lawyers filled all the available space
anu the standing room outside was
crowded by noon. Many persons
came from a great distance to be
present. All of the Judges of the Su-
preme Court were present. Gov.
Taylor was represented by Helm
Bruce; Mr.. Beckham, the associate
ofGoebel and his successor, by Messrs.
Lawrence Maxwell & Lois Nc
Quown. Ex-Gov. Bradley concluded
the arguments for Gov. Taylor the
next day and the decision has been
deferred for some time. Mr.. Bruce
made a strong case but is young
man and is something of an orator,
but Ex-Gov. Bradley brought out
solid facts and was listened to
throughout with close attention by
all of the Justices. Mr.. Bruce stated
that the report of the committee of
investigation of the Kentucky legisla-
ture brought out no facts nor evil
dence but held secret meeting and
no Republican member had been not
flied, and the ballots were thinner
than demanded by law. He declared
one third of the voters OF the state
should not be deprived of the right
of franchise; that Mr.. Taylor was as
much the governor of the state as
any man who was ever inaugurated
and that arbitrary exercise of power
could not be tolerated. In Louisville
they sought to disfranchise $4,000
voters. Mr.. Maxwell insisted that
this case presented no Federal ques-
ton and therefore the Federal ST.
preme Court had no Jurisdiction.
The Kentucky Court of Appeals had
decided that Mr.. Taylor had never
acquired the title of Governor. 1t re-
quired very close attention to follow
and understand all the arguments,
but it seemed that Gov. Taylor had
the strongest arguments on his side
of the case. The closing debate and
vote on the Quay case in the Senate
last week was very exciting one
and packed the Senate floor and gal
leries. The House otRepresentatives
closed its sessions early which al.
lowed its members TO witness the
vote in the Senate. 1t seemed like a
great Court, to see so many men
standing in solemn silence on the
outer circle listening closely as name
after name was called and every seat
in the reporters gallery was filled
and every man had his penciland pa
per keeping tally of the vote. Sena-
tor Chandler and Senator Burrows,
the two Republican leaders, were
watching their sides with much Gag
erness, knowing it would be close
contest. For an hour previous it
was interesting to watch the men
canvassing both sides ofthe House to
see which would carry the most votes
There was dead silence and much
surprise when the result was an
nounced for it had been currently re-
ported that Quay would have ma
jority Of from one to three votes but
he lost by only one vote. There has
been quite change in the weather
since we had thunder shower anC
it is quite cool again.
A. M. c.
Washington, D. c., May 5, 1900.