New-York tribune., 1895-08-29
FEDERAL COURTS DEFENDED
JUDGE TAFT's ADDRESS TO THE AMERI-
CAN BAR ASSOCIATION.
THE LABOR PROBLEM AND THE JUDICIARY
ATTACKS OF PoPrILsTIc GOVERNORS
THE pEss STRIKE. HE SAYS WAS

THE pEKs STRIKE. HE SAYS WAS a
WORK OF GENIUS MIsDrREcTED.
Da,roit Aug S-Immedately upon the assem-
bling of the American Bar Association 'nis o'
Judge William II. Taft Of the United states w N'' =.
Court began the delivery Of the ann"a' ao''es' ="
the association. A.. ,o. ,o.r
Judge Taf, said. In part that within the ias' 'o"i
- ,ho f,ovs,rorx of Ave or more States nave
Though, II proper IN their official messages ~ w
clare that the Federal courts nave sezeo JUL
not rightly theirs and had exerc'seu IL 10 '''e -,
ment OF the Republic and TO urge 'ne'' ~, -.
legislatures to petition Congress TOT re'e"'"' 80
laton ~ prevent further usurpation. The principal
- ',n, tho Federal courts which an exami-
oa,ion ~ these documents discloses Is that they
have fagrantly usurped jurisdiction nrs' ~ aut
corporatons and perpetuate their many "'"'S -
second TO oppress and destroy 'he P'"e "
ganzed labor .. .,a
,,a, accusers Of the Federal judiciary were merely
ru,,,,s into language the hostile feeling OF ce''a"
OF their constituents toward the reoera' GU ~ 70
He auoted the enforcement OF the rusi'Ne 'N
, he,or. abolition and the protection OF the negro
g., h,s electoral and civil rights after that event az
historical Instances showing how Feuera' eoo''. ~
may be subjected to most severe criticism without
Just grounds. ,
lie then reviewed the reason why their mere 'u''s-
dictlon has created deep impression IN many parts
Of the country the evils due to corporations are
rnent OF the last two generations, he sad' hau oeen
effected bv or rization and enforced cooperation OF
simple elements that for a long time previous ''"u
been separately used In tracing the growth Oh oo'
poratons, he said the impersonal character Vi coi
poratons afforded freedom from restraint III ''e
use OF money corrupty TO secure nndne BUSINESS
advantages from the legislative and executive
sources and thus many Of the political agencies
of the people had become tainted 1t was his SIN
cere belief that trusts could not De ihai"'a
permanently unless buttressed by positive iesis
latlon giving them an undue advantage over the
public and competitors.
In discussing the relation Of the Federal courts
=, organized labor Judge Taft said that as mat
ter of fact there nothing in any Federal oe
clson directed against the ORGANIZATION oil iaoo'
10 maintain wages and 10 secure terms OF e'np'o'
ment otherwise favorable. The courts recognize
The right OF men for a lawful purpose TO combine
TO leave their employment at the same time ana
20 use the inconvenience this may cause to their
employer as a legitimate weapon In the frequently
recurring controversy as to the amount OF wages
II is only when the combination Is for unawfui
purposes that 1t has received the concentration
Of the Federal and state courts
Referring to the American Hallway Union strKe'
the Judge SAID that when the history OF the great
strike shall be written in years 10 come the ao-
surd expectations and purpose OF It's projectors ana
their marvellous success In deluding myriao lo'-
lowers in the active suppor, will seem even more
dificuu OF explanation than 1t does to-day. Ihe
mind that could conceive and 80 far execute the
nlan of taking the entire population by the throat
10 compel them to effect the settlement OF local
labor trouble IN Chicago was that or gpn,"s "ls d
directed II the combination ana conspliac! u,
scribed in the bill In the Debs case ana enloiheu IN
the order OF Injunction were not unlawiui' tnen
there Is law In this country securing .ne II.
OF private property. no law authorizing the Federai
Government 10 operate the mails. no law py wncn
the regulation of interstate commerce - ves'su IN m
the general Government. A public nuisance TO Dc
more complete in all its features than that wnlch
his ollie
could not be imagined. :. ..,a .,o, ha
In closing Judge Taft said that 1t would no' pe
s,Irprisng IL the storm OF abuse heaped upon tne
Federal courts and the political strength oi ne,
lar groups whose plans Of social REFORM nav nvs
efforts through Legislation to cut down ,her me- omss
diction and cripple their eihciency,. ,sshsr % good
then the responsibility for lis enects hn pgs
bad. must be not only with & tnoss So mot striSs
the rsi.i eha1fs; i eSmiss Sn1 also WIN '"0Se WIN
Reports OF standing committees were next IN IN
Legal Education and Admission 70 me BAL, nan,
which was read by Austin Abbott The rePSSrt
showed that during the year enoink .une ion IN
there were sixty-eight law schools IN operauoh u,
the United States, with $3.50 students, OF whoni ~
1854 had degrees in letters or science ms Wa.
increase OF 1,325 In the nunloer ol st"ue"'S WV
'' The Committee regrets that the average course
of study In this country, when compared win the
course OF study required in any OF the European
eDv knowledge leaves this country far behind.
The committee recommends that a course upon
Legal Ethics be introduced in the law school
tinct course In Federal Law and Jurisprudence.
Judge John j. Hail. of Ohio. was placed on the
General Council in place of Judge hunt Ihe & AS
afternoon the members OF the Bar Association
were taken for a ride around Belle Isle Park and
then for boat ride down the river