The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-15
Is THE WILL OF THE MOB TO BE THE
ItWy

The attack which the Chicago platform
makes upon the Supreme Court OF the
United States is attracting such general
attention that we think it we'll to re-
produce it, that it may be considered
in detail. i; is as follows
.I'ntl the money question IS settled. we
are opposed to any agitation for fur-
Their changes in our tariff laws, except
such as are necessary TO meet the de-
felt in revenue. caused by the adverse
decision of the Supreme Court on the
Income tax. But for this DECISION there
would be no deficit IN the revenue amer
the law passed by Democratic Congress
in strict pursuance of the uniform de-
cisions OF that court for nearly one hun
dred years. that court having IN that
decision sustained constitutional obiec-
tions to its enactment which had been
previously overru.cd by the aDlest
Judges who have ever sat on That
bench.
I'VE declare that It IS tho duty Of
Congress to use all the constitutional
power which remains after that decision.
| or which may come from .te reversal! by
the Court. as it may hereafter be consti-
tuted so that the burdens of taxation
may be equally and impartially laid. TO
thu end that wealth may bear It's due
proportion Of the expenses OF govern
ment."
Now. we here have set out a grievance
and tho method for redressing it. what
IS the grievance? II is suggested in the
two last lines. where II is said to be
desirable that wealth" should be got
at for taxation. In other words. the
platform plainly intends TO intimate that
wealth" was got at IN the income-taX
law that was passed. that it was done
| by methods which the Supreme Court
| had previously sanctioned. but that. as
the law came down heavily upon
wealth. the Supreme Court overthrow
what II had sanctioned for bundled
years 10 relieve wealth" from its bur-
den. The intmation is TOO plain here to
Justify extended remark. that the rich
men OF the country debauched The Su-
preme Court Of the United states to get
themselves relieved from the burden OF
the income tax that the Democratic Con-
eress adopted
What does the platform propose. in
view Of this state of things? What Is
the real meaning Of its suggestions? The
supreme Court declared that Congress
had no power to pass an income-tax law.
The platform says thet Congress should
use all the constitutional power left 10
1t TO do what was heretofore done. but
nullihed by the court. This is a plain
suggestion that Congress should seek
to do by indirection what the Supreme
Court decided IT could not do openly and
be thus reached it must be accomplished
after reversal Of the decision has been
reached through reconstituting the court.
The suggestion here is made too plain
by the history Of the country for any one
10 be doubtful about it. Up 20 the time
of the war, no party in America assented
10 the idea that the Government could
issue paper money. Under tho exigen-
cies OF the war, the Government did DC
tually issue great quantities Of its legal
tender notes. a great part of the coun-
try refused its assent 10 this, and persist
entity claimed that Congress had no
power under the Constitution TO do it,
When the war was ended these people
presented the question to the Supreme
Court of the United States. which con-
sisted then Of seven justices. -Four Of
these held that Congress had no sucn
power. while three held that il did have
IL. but the concurrence Of the four made
the decision OF the court against the
power Thereupon the revolutionary men
then In control OF Congress passed an
act providing that two more justices
should be added TO the court. presi-
dent Grant appointed two avowed Green
hackers 10 the places made. and the
question being 1t once brought before
tho court again. the two new justices
sided with the three OF the former do
cision. and 10y vote OF five 10 four. the
former decision was overruled. This
bit Of history plainly points out what
IS meant by the suggestion mat the court
is 20 be reconstructed. 1t means that
enough judges will be added 10 the
present court TO reverse the former de-
cision. or it may be that another and
new court will be created TO hear and
decide all questions arising out OF the
new legislation.
The Democratic party. then. goes be-
fore the people OF the United States
with the claim that ,heir highest III
dicial tribunal has been debauched and
calling upon them TO undo what il has
done 10y the most detestable methods
that corruption even could suggest.
In other words. the Democratic plat
form, in effect, demands that we shall
tear up the Constitution, and be governed
in the future by whatever may be the
Will OF the party that happens TO be I'm
possession Of the Government. What
think you of this prospect. people OF the
United States?
Wagon Upset.