Important Decision

The Supreme Court of the United Status has just rendered a decisión in whicb, for the fifth time, the qnestion of the power of the so-calleJ Confedérate government to makea valid contract has been adjudicated. Tha plaintiff had, knowingly, purchased cotton of an agent of the Confedérate States. The cotton was subsequently seized by the United States, and the proceeds converted into the Treasury. Plaintiff brought suit iu the Court of Claims to recover. The court rejected the claim. The Supreme Court affirms the decisión of the Court of Claims on two grounds : First, beeause the purchase of the cotton and the payment of the consideration necessarily tended to give uid to the rebellion, and all such contracts are void as contrary to public policy. This was concurred in by the whole court. Second, beeause the sooalled government of the Confedérate States had no nxistence except as a consniraoy to overthrow lawful authority. No ïouKG man is proof agninst a gumdrop when ehe holdï it between her teeth and invites him to take a bite.