The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1879-09-20
ANOTHER .JUNIUs. j


In the Oregonian of the 18th in
slant, we notice an attack upon the
Supreme Court, so we'll written one
would think the letter was from the
pen Of the original stJunius,n were Il
not for the unanswerable fact that no
man can live on earth forever.
The style of the attack IL inimitable
the assertions, bold and vigorous; the
statement of facts made so plain as to
be recognized at glance; and yet
there is no blame In HARSH words at
tached 10 any one.
The writer goes on to show that the
Supreme Court is creation OF a clique,
and that clique is led by an attorney
and one who is known as the Govern
or of Oregoni
He writes ~ reporter OF the Court,
and says the Court assumes to itself
the power of law-making, and the
changing Of decisions to suit circum-
stances
The subject taken under considera-
tion Is the famous Knott (Nott) case,
where the Judges comprising the SUI
preme Court, after deciding one way
Is District Judges, make . new law to
'ssuit circumstances of pleasure In
the same case-that is, two Of the
Judges do-and he calls Kelly "James
Patrick" and Prlm ..Simpie Peter"
We would like to give the article
entire, but are compelled to defer Its
publication for want of space. We
know that it must contain truth for
the reason it finds place in the col
amns of paper very careful in its
publications.
We do not want to insult the men,
bers of the Supreme Bench, butsimple
Justice would require, II the facts
stated in the Oregonian are facts,
every member of the Supreme Court
excepting Judge Boise, should be driven
from the temple of justice in the man
ner stated by the Saviour when pass
ing Judgment upon the money-chang-
ers. If the charges are false then the
dignity Of the Court should assert it.
self in Its own protection!.
The people of Oregon want no Su-
preme Court If its members can be In
fiuenced by the order or wishes of any
outside man, even though that out.
slider is the Governor of Oregon, and
| by the authority Of Office vested In
him created the oourti The people oI
Oregon want no Supreme Court if thai
Court is to pass upon the life and prop.
erty Of individuals to suit its creat9r's
particular views Far better would ii
be If there was no Court. Then there
would be no hypocrisy. Then as now
there would be no law to govern-ane
what is more no semblance of law te
intimidate q man and prevent him
from self protection. The Court that
will change its decisions to "suit cir.
cumstances," as insimated by 'Juniui
Brutus," is worse than the highway
robber. 1t is nothing less than po
litical inquisition, as heartless as wal
the Council of Venice and as cruel Al
1t is represented were the Borgias
In this case the two members of thu
Court in question must declare them
selves not guilty. There can be no er,
Of "Save me, Cassius, or sink" mad'
to the Governor of the State with th'
hope of satisfying the people. A de
fense must be made open and public
and "Junius' brought before the Su-
preme Bar Of the State to answer foI
his offense. The dignity of the Judges
absolutely demands this much, ane
for the honor of Oregon 1t is to be
prayed for that they will show that In
their temple "justice will be done
though the heavens fall"