The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-05-15
THE SUPREME COURT.

1T STANDS IN THE WAY OF REFORM
1T is THE GREAT SOURCE OF DAN
GER-A SENSIBLE LETTER FROM
"OLD JONES'"
To the Editor:
1t looks now as though the people
were going to restore silver to it's time
honored place, as money, side by side
with gold, equal privileges for both
without partially to either, regardless
Of the money-power, and in spite of all
the kicking they can possibly do. But
then the people are overlooking the
fact that we have supreme court in
this glorious land of liberty, who are
vested with the power to construe and
declare, any act Of congress unconsti-
tutional, that they may happen to pass
in the interest of the common people,
and which is supposed to be detrimen-
tai to rich bankers, landlords and plu-
tocrats. Now don't forget in your ar
dent desire for reform that the supreme
court, body of only nine members, is
clothed with more power than congress
has got at the present time, and in case
member should be absent for any
cause and tie was to occur, then the
whole business SINNERS down to the
one man power. For instance, if upon
any question before the court there was
a tie, then the chief justice would have
the casting vote. Yes, 1t may be truly
said that ats certain times one mans
opinion will settle any question of law
in the United States. Now since the
framing of the constitution and the
adoption of that fundamental law there
have been several very astounding de-
cisions from that august body Of men
and the last of which was quite recently
and is known as the income tax case.
Now with that wise and all powerful
body in Washington what assurance has
the people got that, in case congress
should remonetize silver, the supreme
court would not declare the act uncon-
stitutional, thereby thwarting the will
of the people? Now is it not high time
that we, the people, call halt and
calmly look the field over and see if
we are not going Niagarawise and, il
we find we are, then, stop long enough
to hold a council of war; Let us be
wise and noble. 1t is the height of
folly to allow our prejudices to over
rule our better judgment. Now is the
time for the people to get together and
see If they can determine what is the
very best thing to do, and how to do It.
We would kindly recommend and earn
estly advise the leaders of the reform
| party to use all honorable and persua-
sive means to organize andpersuade into
the new party camp all true believers
| in genuine reform; and we verify be.
| l1eve that the most of the people are
! reformers by nature; and, if it were not
for the beguiling influences of the
money -power-serpent, they would have
been with us long ago, and by and Of
their own accord at that Now wher
We assemble in our various conven.
lions, at the opening Of the next cam
| paign, let us select out from among oul
numbers all the Washingtons, Jeffer
sons, Jacksons and Lincolns. Their
nominate them to fill each and every
Office from President of the United
| States down to pathnaster Of country
roads, and then after we have elected
them to their respective Offices the frs
thing in order will be the "Initiativ,
and Referendum" so that the peopl,
may be able to pass upon what they d,
while in Office. And after we have has
sufficient number Of our principles
enacted into laws. so that poor MAI
may be able to live in this country a.
free as rich one, if not quite as luxu
riously. Then and not until then thi
great and glorious government will rul
about as our forefathers intended 1
should run. w. H. JONES.
| Ellenda1e N D.