Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-12

The Republican party counting from
1861 had possession Of all departments
Of the Government for twenty-odd years
before the Democrats had chance again
TO impress their policy upon it, and had
amongst other acts SO reconstructed the
Supreme Court Of the United States that
il might well have been termed the Re
publican Supreme Court. At one time
only few years AGO there were nine
Justices upon the bench. all Of them APP
pointed by Republican Presidents, and
only one of whom even claimed to be a
Democrat. Perhaps We ought not to
10 speak of tins condition Of things ms
a prostitution Of that high tribunal to
party purposes. But We may thus
characterize the Republican legislation
which, a few years ago, provided Tor
adding two new justices to the court as a
means Of securing the reversal of the
decision of that court III the legal-tender
cases.
At present there are three Democrats
Oh the Supreme Bench-Mr. Chief JUS
tica FUILEE, MIR. Justice LAMAR, and
MIR. Justice FIELD. There are conse-
quently six Republicans. 1t would
seem, therefore, that il either party had
cause 10 fear for its influence IN that
court, the Democratic party was the one.
We have, however, seen no appeal TO
the voters to stand 10y Mr.. CLEVELAND
as a means of securing Democratic
ascendancy upon the Supreme Bench.
No Democratic speaker or journal, so far
as we know, has called upon the Demo
Gratis 10 rally 10 the support of a Presi-
dent who will appoint none but Demo
Gratis 10 construe the Constitution and
laws of the land.
But we cannot say rs much for the
Republicans. Not only has the leading
Republican paper in Ohio raised this
question in the campaign, but 1t has be-
Titled at least two Of the present Demo
cratic Associate Justices, and treated
them as if they had been unfit 70 wear
the robes Of their high Office. The lead
ing Republican paper IN the United
States has not been ashamed TO follow
Mr.. HALsrEAD's lead. The New York
tribune drags the Judicial ermine into
polihcs-as follows:
SAVE THE SUPREME Court. There IS
more than one great issue at stake Ia
this contest We must not forget the
Supreme Court. Now that Chief-Jus-
tice Fuller has been confirmed by the
Senate the Democrats have three men,
bers Of the court and within two OF a
maiority. Mr.. Justice Field, although
appointed by Mr.. Lincoln, has been
ayowedly Democrat for many years,
and President Cleveland has placed two
more representatives OF the party on
the bench in the persons of the new
Chief Justice and Mr.. Justice Lamar.
Two OF the Republican justices have
passed the limit of age ut which they
can, by their own discretion, retire upon
full pay. IL Mr.. Cleveland should be
reelected il is moro than likely that the
burden Of advancing years would com
pei them 10 relinquish their posts be-
fore the expiration Of bis term, aud
there is always the chance, besides, that
death may step in 10 make a vacancy in
the conrt Ii is as certain, therefore,
rs anything human can be that the re-
election OF Mr.. Cleveland will mean q
Democratic Supreme Court.
The mass of the Democratic party adj
heres TO theories OF constitutional con-
struction upon which this nation has
put its foot There is scarcely any un-
safe tendency in our politics which is
not largely represented in that party,
and which might not easily find Its ex-
ponent. through President Clevelands
appointments, upon the bench Of our
highest court
In the appointments he has thus
fer made President Cleveland has shown
3 marked leaning toward sou.herners
snd southern ympathizerk No reason