The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-02-08
case Oh the calendar, nnd intend to se-

cure decision this winter.
Ii requires no lawyer to detect the
vice Of Judge Fields decision, or its fn-
voritism toward corporations. There is
no inequality in the two systems Of as
sessment, for both Of them take the act
ual value Of property in every case.
The Fourteenth amendment, by its lam
guage and intent, does not refer to cor
porations, but to men with souls, bod.
iea, consciences and moral responsible
ties. This provision OF the constitution
has no reference 10 the case in question,
and Is not violated. The decision, how
ever, conforms to the general custom OF
the court in which Judges Field and
Sawyer preside. Californians have long
ceased to seek justice in that court in
any case in which railroads are con-
cerned. Judge Field has been the iu-
dicial mentor, guide, philosopher and
friend of the Central and Southern Pa-
cific railroads for years. He decides in
their favor in courts over which he pre-
sides, and steadily dissents from the
decisions Of the Supreme Court, when
they are against them.
Would that it were possible to pre-
sent in the blaze OF an electric illnmina-
ton to every American citizen the con-
sequences which would result from an
affirmative Of this decision! 1t would
declare corporations absolutely inde-
pendent Of Legislative control, and the
people know that that means onr con-
version into nation Of millionaires and
panpers. No railroad commission could
be created. no limitation whatever upon
fares or freights, combinations or mo-
nopolies, or any other corporation in.
iquitv. could exist---for every right or
exemption given by law to any class Of
citizens wonld be enjoyed by corpora
tions. All the laws for taxing corpora
tions; all the statutes which require
foreign corporations to deposit securi.
ties before dealing with the people of
State. would be unconstitutional.
Within few years the country would
lay helpless at the feet of vulgar au-
tocracy. Well may the Judges say that
"these questions are Of the greatest inn
portanoe, and their correct solution con-
Germs not only the defendant, but cor
porations of every kind But the
interest and concern Of the people
Judge Field does not mention
Citizens Of the United States, the
danger is imminent, and its hour is
near. The substitution of one more
railroad Judge on the bench Of the Su-
preme Court for. a present member
would bring it upon you rs certainly rs
death. An accident which should pre-
vent all the Judges from participating
in the decision might involve the same
disaster. So great peril has not men,
aced the nation since the hour Of its
birth. 4 republic ruled by corpora
tions. uncontrolled by souls, consciences
or Legislation, is q lifeless political
corpse. Better q thousand times the
tyranny Of All autocrat with con-
science to be appealed to land n body as
mark for bombsl than an aristocracy
Of consolidated corporations with the
power to rob, plumber aud steal, hut
destitute Of the capacity to receive
punishment.
Corporation managers, corporation
politicians, corporation Judges! beware
how you press the people furtheri |
They are 1900. 900 strong. In morals,
in ability, in numbers, in everything but
money, yon are very weakl In spite Of
your purchased presses; in the face Of
the political and other desperadoes in
your service: in defiance Of your united
and determined policy to ruin and
DESTROY all who will not sell themselves
to YOU: there are vet few faithful left
to defy your bribes, your enmitv and
vour power. They have been educating
the people and the people have been
learning vary rapidly. You will not
get Nh afffsmance Of this decision !!
Would You know why? This numher
Of Justice will go to 100000 lawyers,
clergymen and other leaders of thought
through the nation. Independent news
| papers will sound the alarm knowledge
Of the danger moving thousand times
| faster than the fiery cross ever travelled
will reach and arouse the whole
| people. Their united voice will move
toward Washington with the force Of a
tidal wave hearing words of commenda-
tion and encouragement to the pure and
able Judges who are struggling to up
hold the ancient dignity Of the Supreme
| Court: of censure and condemnation
for those who would soil the ermine
with corporation mire. The decision
will he reversed-the country will be
saved: because good men love justice,
truth is mighty and will prevail; and
$4,000, 900 people have learned the fact
that they are &c, 1000. 900 strong!