The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-04
THE CREED OF BRYAN.
He Has Written Himself Down a
Socialist.

If any one has supposed that Mr..
Bryan's own views and purposes arc
more conservative and rational than
those expressed in the platform on
which he stands, he will be disabused
of this impression by examining the ex-
tracts from tho Omaha World Herald
made by The World Of this city. The
editorials from which these extracts are
taken were written by Mr.. Bryan and
contain tolerably complete political
creed. 1t has been said that the refer
ence to the supreme court in the Chi
cago platform was not Of the nature Of
q threat. Mr.. Bryan, however, has de-
clared himself in favor Of changing the
constitution Of that court. It's members,
he asserts, "cannot escape the influence
which is brought TO bear upon them
through their association with men vio-
lently opposed TO the income tax for
personal reasons. - "Plutocracy is in
trenched behind our judicial system.
"Our judges are not only appointed. but
they are appointed for life. ~#~ They
are usually selected from the cities,
those influences which are created and
sustained by large aggregations of
wealth" And, finally, If the people
of the United States are determined to
secure justice in taxation, they must be
prepared to go to the root of the diff
Guilty and adopt an amendment TO the
constitution providing for the election
of all United States judges for def
mite time.
There Is political philosophy in
nutshell. Those who are inclined to sup
port Mr.. Bryan because they hold to BIZ
metallism may see to how much besides
silver coinage they are giving their
countenance. 1t is hardly necessary
to dwell on the considerations that led
the trainers Of the constitution to pro-
vide that judges should not only be
appointed, but be appointed for life.
Nor is it necessary TO refer to the high
character of the federal Judiciary and
to the freedom from suspicion Of corrup-
tion which it has always enjoyed. Such
considerations appeal with overwhelm-
ing force to those who believe it to be
of the last Importance that judges shall
be independent and shall not be, infiu-
enced by the fear of punishment if their
decisions are unsatisfactory to particu-
lar individuals or classes But such
considerations have no weight with the
school which Mr.. Bryan represents.
Such men, as he avows, do not want
Judges who are influenced by the insti-
tuition of property, but judges who will
"sympathize with the masses. They
want judges who get their offices
through the machinery Of the caucus
and who can be turned out Of Office
quickly whenever they make decisions
that are unpopular. This political phi
losophy is entirely clear and comprehen-
sible. There is nothing novel in It, 1t
prevailed in the first republic of France.
But it is a theory which the trainers Of
our constitution, supported by the tes-
timony Of the past, regarded as poison.
ing the very source and fount OF justice.
They were aware of the abuses possible
under system of appointment. but
they knew that the independence and
impartiality Of judges by whom the
final adjudication of political problems
of the highest order was to be made
could in no other way be secured. The
system has succeeded and has command
ed the admiration of the world. A vote
for Mr.. Bryan is "A vote to destroy 1t. -
New York Evening Post