The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-03-14

| been disturbed by leaks Now and then
important decisions OF the court leak out,
greatly TO the disgust OF the justices.
Time and again have they endoavorod to
ascertain whore the weak point in their
armor Is, but without success. Tho In
come tax decision was published a few
days before the court was ready 10 an
nounce IL from the bench. and though an
Investigation was ordered nothing impor-
tant came OF the Inquiry. Some members
OF the court think they have the power to
haul up offenders In this regard and pun
ish them for contempt. and while thoro
| seems 10 be little doubt of their power
most OF the justices feel that it would be
beneath the dignity OF that bench, the
| greatest IN the world TO do so still the
justices are tired of having all their i'm
portant decisions published before an
nouncement, and sooner or later they may
decide 10 take drastic measures TO put
stop 10 the annoyance.
viii Bear watching.
A good story is told IN court circles con-
corning two OF the latest instances Of dc.
cisions leaking out TO the newspapers. A
week or two ago the court announced Its
decision on the Stanford will case and was
ready on the Same day 10 hand down its
decision on the interstate commerce case.
IL CHANGED that Chicago paper had
learned what the decision was 60 be in tho
railroad case and had published it in ad.
vance, with full particulars. Inasmuch
as the opinion In this case had been writ |
ten by Justice Brown. the members Of the |
court naturally turned TO him for an OK
PLANTATION Justice Harlan who was par |
ticularly indignant that the leak should |
have occurred in such an important case, |
affecting all the railroads In the country, |
obtained copy Of the Chicago paper, |
marked it with big blue pencil marks |
and sent 10 to Justice Brown, with the |
memorandum, You had better watch |
your secretary" A few days later along /
came San Francisco paper, with the
stanford decision printed In advance and |
In full, and Justice Brown, not unmind-
full OF the opportunity, secured a copy Of
that paper, marked 1t with blue pencil,
scrubbed on tho margin, lyon had better
watch your secretary" with the word
your UNDERSIGNED, and sent it 70 JUS
tice Harlan. InasmuCh as the opinion I'm
the Stanford case had been written by
Justice Harlan, Justice Brown naturally
thought he had gotten even. Tho justices
Ike their little jokes, md this bit Of rep
artee afforded them much amusement.
AN Important Decision.
Tho Interstate commerce decision IL n
very important one. 1t holds that under
the laws OF congress a witness may be
compelled TO testify and that refusal TO do
so under tho plea of discriminating himself |
cannot be allowed. Tho law which was
passed to meet this special difficulty pro
'ided that there should DO no prosecution |
u witness based on his own testimony.
The railroads supposed the court would
iecide this unconstitutional, but by n iii.
'ision OF five TO four the court sustained
he law. This decision will effect some.
What Of revolution IN railroad circles.
heretofore the roads have been a5lo TO cut
ates to favorto shippers by meanB Of re.
'ates and to conceal tho fact from tho in
erstate commerce commission, and Thus
vert successful prosecution by tho simple
Method Of refusal To testify. IL neither
no officials OF the road nor the shippers
would give evidence tho commission was
Unable TO apply the law successfully. Tho
esult was the Interstate commerce law, so
lr as II applied 10 rebates and fayoritism.
'as practically dead letter 1t could be
ened with impunity. Under this decision
he law can be enforced 1t Will DO prac.
caole TO punish offenders. and instead of
mere statistical bureau the interstate
commission will again become
powerful force in regulating railway
'ailic
Much Misunderstood.
Few men In this country are more talk
about just now than Thomas G. Platt.
10 great political boss of New York one
Mr. Platt's friends gave me soma inter.
ting gossip about him the other day
Thomas Collier Platt," said he, lis
isunderstood man He Is not half as bad
he appears He simply has "a passion
r poIltlcs, that Is all To him politics Is
e greatest OF all games the most delight.
j OF all amuscments Mr. Plat H. not
lhsh ut all Whatever no wins in poll.
IS Is for the benefit of his friends. He
rs nothing for himself He stands 10y
friends too. No man that lives can
cuse Dir. Platt OF going back on prom
or OF netting tho migrate. Platt has
yer made money in politics On the
ntrary, he has spent fortune in il. But
: politics lie would now be very rich
IN. whereas his wealth is not estimated
more than 100000. Mr.. Piatt is
,nderiul man in many respects Ills
lp on politics Is one OF tho most remark
10 things we have ever seen in thiscoun
:. Anu yet politics Is to him only "a side
NC, only advertisement What would
DO IL Lo made business Of itY Mr..
att rises carly every morning when ho
In good health aud goes to his Office
u know he is in tho express business
u handles great business machine
day he spends ut This, aud when ho has
his dinner the evening he deyotcs to
pet fad. which Is political manipula.
Il. say, suppose he wcro TO give up
express business and devote all his
10 to politicsi'
Another much talked Of man IS Senator
ny, who Is To Pennsylvania what l.r.
ut Is to New York Mr.. Quay makes
usineSs VI politics nnd has done SO for
last quarter Of century. Hoi5per.
IS the most skillful politician in his -
ntry One phase Of Mr.. Quay snlture
hat when ho goes into fight It, rocs
Ill over lie mover stops to count tho
He risks everything / heard a
" about his great fight in Ponnsylyanil
summer At first every ono supposed 49,
would lose. Things did look black 8 !
~ ran short OF money In order topul
'ugh he had to mortgage oyery bio Of
porty he had In tho world and To hnr. In
all his personal credit would conn ~
nd Ills expenses in that canrri9u
@ not less than $4,000 Hisuo-,soe -,
alone was over $1,000 Truly polite. 2
q expensive luxury.
WALTER WELLuAN.