The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-08

countries, Just pubic opinion is tne
final arbiter of all questions. II Is not
necessary for one TO say, IL this sug-
gestion is seriously made. that II is
impossible In this day and hour to at
tempt any inquisitorial Interpretation
of the statutes for the purpose of stiff
ling expression of public opinion"
The hour OF O'Clock having arrived.
the senate. without disposing OF the
question. resumed the consideration OF
Sherman's resolution concerning the
gold reserve and Vest took the floor.
Vests speech proved to be an arraign-
ment of THE supreme court for its de-
cision In the income tax cases He be-
gan by saying that the democratic par
ty did not seek to evade the responsi-
bility for the legislation of the last
congress. notwithstanding Vt had only
an ostensible majority in the senate.
and then passed rapidly to his subject
by declaring that the Wilson law would
have afforded ample revenue for the
support of the government but for the
supreme courts decision declaring the
Income tax unconstitutional.
THAT the court should have rendered
such a decision" said Vest. was
matter of surprise 20 every intelligent
lawyer In the country, and especially
to those of us in congress who We're
engaged In formulating legislation. In
my judgment, no judgment has ever, In
the history of the country. been rem
dered which has done 50 much to de-
stroy the influence of that high tribu-
nal and excite distrust on the part OF
the people. The country had," he said,
been used to rely upon the opinions OF
this court because its Judgments were
supposed to be above caprice. pre5u-
dices and sudden changes which might
characterize the decisions of the lower
courts. not so far removed from out
side influences That this court should
have reversed its own decision for a
hundred years on a question vitality af-
fecting the interest of the entire popu-
lation and placing the government in
the attitude of violating the constitu-
tbon during the entire history of the
union, must be a matter of sincere re-
greet"
Vest declared he would not trust
himself. tn the senate. TO say what he
would be tempted to say of this opin-
don; but would leave 1t to members OF
the court to stigmatize 1t as 1t deserv-
ed. With this introduction, he had ex-
tracts reads from dissentin gopinions of
Jurlfcco i1dlltui dihu DlOWiis soy Ai6 -
me had made the declaration contained
in these opinions he would be charged
with partisan malice and misrepresen-
taItdon; but coming. as they do. from
this high source. they certainly consti-
tute a most powerful arraignment of
this court of hast resent.
Vest was most severe In his direct
characterization OF the justice who
changed his opinion after the first de-
cision and before the second was rem
dered. He would not, he said. attempt
ito enter into that Justices motives. but
that Justice had been mainly response
lble in Fastening the sordid despotism
of wealth. upon THE country by his
change of front. Certainly Che had the
right to change his mind. but 1t was a
matter of regret that me had not seen
proper to put a1ts reasons on record for
this far-reachdng and terrible decision.
The Justices name was, he continued,
unknown. except to himself and his as
socialtes. The senate had been ridiculed
and vftuperated because of the secrecy
of its executive proceedings, but what.
Mr.. Vest asked. with a display of
warmth. would be thought of a senator
who would change his position on a
question of vital general interest. and
when mis- position was essential to sue
cess or failure OF a cause, and who
should not have the manhood to stand
before the country and reveal himself
and his reasons for such transforma-
tion? Vest said he did not believe the
terrible effect of this decision had yet
been apprehended by the people of the
country.
'It marks a new era," he said, land
greatly mistake If the time does not
come when neither soft words nor hon
eyed phrases will prove a sufficient
apology" 1t was beyond credibility
that a Vanderbilt. with his hundreds
of millions. should have to pay no more
than the poorest of men, and that the
army and navy must be used TO sup
port him In his rights, as must be the
case If the decision was to stand.
He reviewed the record of the last
three administrations. Though he diff
fered with the head of his party in
many things. he declared no admins
tration in the history of the country
had been more successful than the |
Cleveland administration from 1858 |
If success was to be measured by the !
amount of gold exported. he desired 10 |
call the attention OF the other side 10 I,
the fact that during Cleveland's first |
but about $4,000. 900 OF ]
the gold had been exported against
s213, ,000, 900 for Harrison's administra- |
ton. Vest admitted his side was d. |
vided on the subject of silver. The |
country was divided. There was. he /
said. an irrepressible conflict in the |
land, as irrepressible as that which re-
suited in the clash of the armies of the |
North and South.
In the course of a review OF the his |
tory of the passage Of the Mckinley |
law. Vest described the manner in |
which on the night the bill was report |
ed to the house. hides were suddenly |
removed from the dutiable list TO the 1
free list place duty on hides" said 4
Vest, sarcastically. "and New England I
would be aroused as she has never /