The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-01-19
ATTY GEN'L MAJOR
SCORES VICTORY
In q. s. Supreme Court, Which Up.
holds Two Important State Laws.

Attorney General Elliot Major IL
much elated over the fact, says the
Jefferson Tribune, that the United
States Supreme Court Monday sus-
tanned the constitutionality of what
Is known as the stamp act and also
the One-hundred-pound statute. He
argued the cases before that court
some weeks ago and Monday the
court In an opinion handed down sus-
tanned his contentious. Mr.. Major
gave out the following statement
Tuesday to reporter OF the Demo-
crat-Tribune In regard to the cases:
ITO say | am greatly pleased over
my legal victories yesterday In the
supreme court of the United States
in sustaining the constitutionality of
what Is known as the stamp act and
also what is known as the one hun
dred pound statute is but placing II
mildly.
THE stamp act was passed by the
legislature in the session OF 1907 and
requires that twenty-five cent
| stamp be placed on each and every
trade made on the floor OF exchange
on what is commonly called trades
on margins, the proceeds going to
the good road fund There Is now
fully $3.50, 10000 on hand which
awaited the action OF the supreme
court of the United States in this
case and which will de placed In the
treasury at once. 1t will bring to
the good road fund ut least $780,
10000 each and every year, In
taking up and sustaining the law |
will be able to place in the treasury
OF the state for the good road fund
during my iucumbency in round
numbers one-half million dollars.
This is indeed n triumph for the
| state and will mean much in the per
manent improvement Of pub c
roads. | consider this piece of liti-
cation the second most important
which has reached the supreme court
of the United States from Missouri
| in many years, the 2-cent passenger
| fare and maximum freight rate act
being the most important
| "When ! came into Office as at
torney general there was an indict-
ment pending in the circuit court Of
Jackson county against MIR. Broad
max and Essex for violating the
stamp act. This was all that had
been done looking toward the en-
forcement OF the law or testing its
cOnstitutionality, although it had
been law for nearly two years.
There had been no trial of any kind
or character aud nothing done to-
ward enforcing this law. ! immcdi-
ately arranged for the trial in the
circuit court Of Jackson county of
the case through Hon. Virgil COnk-
A conviction was secured. MIR.
Broadnnx and Mr.. Essex appealed
to the supreme court Of Missouri. |
hricicd and argued the case in the
supreme court and secured an Opiu-
ion sustaining the cOnstitutionality
OF the law. Hon. Frank Hagcrmnn
and Hon. Kimbrough Stone, counsel
for the defendants, took the ease to
the supreme court OF the United
States on writ of error, where, on
yesterday by unanimous opinion
the decision of the Missouri supreme
court was sustained. ! shall prize
this case as one of my greatest legal
victories-One which will bring last
ing and permanent results to the
state and its people
1.-THE other case involving the one
hundred pound statute involved the
act which requires all grain, seed,
hay and coal to be sold Mt its actual
weight and which prevents the de.
duction of one hundred pounds from
the weight OF each car OF grain by
boards of trade, is Of great import.
ance To the producers. On grain
alone, under the conceded facts
made In the argument of the case In
the supreme court 1t will mean d
saving to the producers of at least
$3.50, 10000 annually. This law was
passed by the Legislature In 1909
Immediately after its passage d.
rected the arrest of a member OF the
Kansas City board of trade for it,
violation. The party applied to the
supreme court OF Missouri for his
release on writ OF habeas corpus
alleging the act to be unconstitu.
tional. The Missouri supreme court
sustained the constitutionality OF
: the law In an opinion written by
Judge CAN'T. This case was also
taken to the supreme court OF the
United States on writ of error and
was yesterday sustained by that
; court In unanimous opinion.
Now II | can win the 2-cent pas
senger fare and maximum freight
rate cases which ! argued and sub
: mittcd in the supreme court OF the
United States In October, my cup OF
JOY will be completely filed