The Louisiana populist., 1895-06-07
RULED BY WEALTHY.
ALTGELD'S ARRANGEMENT OF
SUPREME COURT JUDGES.
Divinity of Riches Recognized and n
Curse Breathed Against Enterprise by
the Income-Tax Observation-Disclosures
dunn Filed by the Attorney General.

| SouiI lOI lHc tucOI1c TAX decision. lie
says:
| The court has held the law to be
void in so far as it affects the large real
estate owners. such as the Astors, of
New York, and has also held it to be
void in so far as it affects the rich
bondholders of the east But the re-
mainder is sustained, the court holding
that the business and producing classes
must pay the income tax. 1t is all a
| question OF constitutional construction,
and as this depends on opinion or pref
udice, one is reminded of the distin-
guished Englishman who, in speaking
OF the court of chancery, said that the
proceedings were all a matter of con-
science. and as the consciences of the
different chancellors varied as much
as the size of their feet. so did their
decisions on any question. Now, the
constitution of the United States has
been construed in more different ways
than all the judges together had feet,
but always in harmony with what was
the controlling influence or power of
the times. Before the war the slave
power and the south dominated the
court. Since the war concentrated
wealth and the east has dominated the
court, and the time will come when JUS
ticc end the great Mississippi valley
will dominate the court.
This particular decision recognizes
tie divinity of wealth by exempting it
from taxation, and it breathes a curse
against enterprise by making it bear
ali the burdens of government. But it
is in harmony with that passage of
scripture which says that "for he that
hath, to him shall be given; and he that
hath not, from his shall be taken even
that which he hath" And it is in per-
feet accord with the Republican and
Mugwump theory of government now
being applied in this country, and, as
this decision is in favor of New England
and a few eastern cities, and against
the rest of America. it is also in har-
mony with what will soon be recog-
nized as the sixteenth amendment to
the constitution, which declares that a
gilded vestibule is no more important
than the remainder of the house, that
the interests of the east are paramount
to the interests of the rest of the coun-
try. 1t also shows that at least two of
the coordinate branches of our gov
ernment receive their inspiration at the
same altar.
You remember that the president
opposed the income tax and would not
sign the tariff bill. and Mr.. Wilson,
who represented him in congress, op-
posed the income tax. Congress, how
ever, knowing that almost every civil
lied country had an income tax. and
believing it to be the most just form of
taxation, and having no doubt about its
constitutionality, passed the measure,
both Republicans and Democrats sup
porting it. For time there was bitter
ness in the camp of Mammon, but the
Supreme court has come to the rescue,
and now the Standard Oil kings, the
Wall street people, as well as the rich
mugwumps, are again happy. To be
sure, the great business and producing
classes are not relieved; their burden
is made little heavier, and the whip
has made new welt on their backs,
there for. if not to bear the burdens
and to be lashed?
But this decision is radically defect
i've in number of particulars. O 1t
should contain panegyric on the ma
jesty of the law and the exalted char
acter of eternal justice. (2) 1t should
have contained stinging rebuke to
the growing discomfort of the times.
(3) 1t should contain a declaration in
favor of gold. for if the interest on
bonds is divine and so sacred that not
a cent of it can be used to help bear
the burdens of government, then the
court should see to it that this sacred
household god of the east shall pever
suffer proclamation by having the rim |
of it's eyes made silvery. But it would |
be unreasonable to expect the court to
think of everything. Besides, it will |
have other opportunities from time to |
time to solidify our institutions and to |
teach patriotism by coming down with |
terrific force on some wretch whose vul- |
garity and unpatriotic character will be |
proven by the fact that he is poor.
THE decision, however, suggests q |
more important question to the Ameri- |
can people. You know that the judges |
of the Supreme court when in session |
wear large black gowns, such as were |
worn in the middle ages. In other |
and in other times this was |
done to make little men seem great In |
this country it is done to impress the |
populace with the infallibility OF tho |
-ourt. Now. as. these gowns are not |
very thick, and as some people might |
be able to- see through them, and as |
some of our business people may he un- |
patriotic enough to question the JUS |
tice Of having to pay large income |
tax while the rich pay nothing, and as |
there is danger that some Of those men |
may doubt the infalliDility or the court.
would it not be well to have each judge |
wear two gowns for awhile, until the |
storm blows over2" - ~