New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-05-31
THE ILLINOIS JUDICIARY ELECTION


Two judges of the Supreme Court and
tbirty-ono Judges of tho Circuit Court are to
Inc elected on Monday in Illinois. The con-
test possesses far more general interest than
usually attaches to local controversies, for IL
involves important principles and may nave
serious political consequences 1t is described
as an issue between the people and the rail-
roads; but it is not exactly that; 1t Is
determined effort by the agricultural class 10
reverse at the polls decision of the Supreme
Court which is supposed to be in the railroad
interest. The political opinions of the candl-
dates are little considered. The two polltlcal
parties have stood aside; and the Farmers
Clubs and Oranges have generally resolved
themselves into nominating conventions, ana
selected candidates on their own theories OF
orthodoxy. We have already published an
account of the suit against the Chicago,
Alton, and st. Louis Railroad, in when
Chief Justice Lawrence declared the Freight
law of Illinois forbdding discrmina-
tons and limiting tolls to be in conflict Win
the provision of the constitution which for-
bids laws mpairing the validity OF contracts
1t is this decision which has been chiefly In
strumental in bringing the Patrons OF Hus-
| bandry into such political prominence, ana
throwing both the Republican and Democratic
parties into such helpless confusion. Inc
| Farmers insist that this decision shall be re-
yersed. In opposition to Judge Lawrence
who is a candidate for reelection, they nave
named Mr.. A. NJ. Craig, who Is understood 10
favor a different Interpretation OF the La"
and for many of the other judgeships Farmers
candidates are also running.
We need hardly say that the experiment
which the Illinois Farmers are trying seems to
us extremely dangerous. A respect for the
law is the foundation of social order, and
when tho people attempt to upset the. de-
cisions of the courts by mere vote Oh the
majority, they substitute the ballot-Dox tor
the code, and declare that they will not be
ruled by law at all, but by the voice OF the
uninstructed multitude. A correspondent OF
one of the Chicago papers says something
really very much like this when he declares
/ that Congress may err; the State Legisla-
" lures may err; but the people never can be
bound by the technicalties of any pernicious
enactment of either" In other words, We
| do not care for laws or constitutions; we
| Judge for ourselves what the public interests
| require, and act accordingly.
At the same time it is admitted on ell hands
that the case of the Farmers is a very hard
one The railways which they helped to
create as public servants have become the
most oppressive of public masters. Legisla-
lures, State officers, Congresses have long
been the obedient slaves of these great and
growing corporations. The grain fields have
been stripped to satisfy their demands; every
attempt to limit their exactions has failed
and the Farmers find themselves now in such
desperate strait that ruin and starvation stare
them in the face unless they speedily got
relief When they lay their demands before
the proper tribunals they will have the. sym
pathy of the whole public. When they apply
themselves, as they undoubtedly will, to break
ing up the power of the companies in politics.
driving railroad members out of the Legisla-
ture, and dispensing the railroad lobby; when
they insist that the transportation question
shall have its due place among State and
National problems, they will find friends in
all parts of the country. The Farmers Move
ment must come to this if it would achieve
anything. Making war upon the courts Is a
mischievous policy which can lead to nothing
but evil and disappointment.