The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-15

night. called Tor the purpose or discussing
the decision OF the supreme court on the
revenue law. afforded the distinguished
champion of Bryan and silver an excellent
opportunity OF conducting a love feast.
with himself as the central attraction.
Mr.. Wiley was assisted In the exercises ~
two other lawyers, creatures dear TO the
Populist heart. and about It's MN and one
woman.
The meeting was called for the purpose
of considering the decision of the supreme
court in which the exemption section Of
the revenue law was declared unconstitu-
tional. The speakers began at this point
but before SIR. Wiley had adjourned the
meeting. Bryan. silver. the decisions OF
other courts for the last twenty-five years
on every subject imaginable. and the limit
of state and county indebtedness had bsen
dragged into the discussion.
When Mr.. Wiley had finished his second
speech OF the evening, taking advantage
of the fact that the other orators billed for
the occasion did not put In an appearance,
he adjourned the meeting before the audi
enee had been given al opportunity TO ex-
press by resolution or otherwise its opin-
ions in the matter.
1t remained for preacher Rev. Louis
Williams 10 call AR. Wiley down. and he
arose with protest after the chairman
had declared the meeting adjourned. The
reverend gentleman declared that the audi
ence was entitled to a chance of being
heard, and he wanted resolution passed
expressing the dissent Of the. meeting with
the supreme courts decision. Mr. Wiley
obligingly nut the question. which was
carried. and then adjourned the gathering
for the second and last time.
OF the forty -odd vice presidents enlistc !
for the occasion. and VINO were to occu1.
seats on the platform. perhaps a half
dozen attended the meeting, the others be-
ing detained by pressing business engage
ments. 1t was not thought advisable 10
have the attending vice presidents occupy
seats on the stage. because of the number
OF empty benches in the hall. Along about
$50 when the crowd numbered perhaps 100
people, Mr.. Wiley. Immediately dressed in
smooth Prince Albert and check trousers.
stepped on the platform and raped for
order. During the preiiminaries the crowd
increased somewhat in size. bat did not
touch the 800 mark at any stage in the pro-
ceedings.
Mr.. Wiley stated the objects of The
meeting to be a discussion of the supreme
court decision In the revenue case. I'VE
are here to protest against this decision"
he said. land to except to the verdict ut
tered by the supreme court. We are to
appeal to the people for relief. CThis must
have been left over from the last cam
paign). When We adopted a constitution,
we established a judiciary to which NE
were to refer our disputes. On us the
decisions of this tribunal are binding and
conclusive, but we have two ways of ef-
fecting change when we are dissatia-
fed with the acts of that tribunal One
is to change the organic law of the state
and the other lies in an appeal directly
to the people We believe that a proper
Interpretation of the constitution has not
been given by the judges of the supreme
court as now constituted, hut that it has
been narrow and restricted. Processing
10 guard the poor and lowly this court
has placed a construction on the consti-
tuition that will make the poor and lowly
No tribunal. however great. can rise above
manly and straightforward criticism.
What We want TO do is TO impress the
fact upon the people that a constitutional
amendment has been submitted which
viii allow the people themselves to say
what property shall be exempt from tax
alton"
The chairman closed with an apt ono
tation OF poetry-something about the
ceasless river of reform" and then call
ed on A f. Jones to take the platform.
That Mr. James is from Alabama was
easily discernible from his enunciation
and from the threatening way In which he
drew from his pocket document which
he said he would read. preferring not to
trust himself 10 an extemporaneous state
neut of his Views on what he termed an
outrage upon the people and the state.
He referred TO his delicate position as a
lawyer. crittcising the highest court il the
state. but declared that for nothing he
would say would he ever apologize.
Mr. Jones then reed his statement,
which WAS drawn much like a LAWYERS
brief. He described republican form of
government as containing elements of a
40 ~s.tz.-
mocracy of Ancient Greece" He quoted
section OF article VII of the constftu-
ton. which the court held was not in har-
mony with the exemptions section of the
revenue law, and said in closing:
IF you ask what remedy | would nro-
pose for this unjust and clearly tyranni-
cal decision. my answer would be to elect
a new set of judges of the supreme cour.
who viii feel bound To respect the wishes
OF the people and the constitution of
their state"
\. @. Mcbride followed Mr. Jones. He
declared that the trouble lay in the fact
that we have too much constitution" a
sentiment that provoked applause The
speaker followed this I'D by saving THAT
the English government was better than
that 81 the United States because when
TIE legislature made law. no court
dare - upset ii. Forgetting that tho
but one offense Mr.. Mcbride raked an A
number Of decisions IS Ia county. state
and municipal indebtedness and sald that
these We're against thu constitution.
Finally he declared that the trend 81 su-
premc court decisions IN this and other
states was against the poor ard In favor
Of The rich corporations.
SIR. Wiley finished the speeches. ~ead ding
frcm the decision and giving his objections
&c II as a lawyer. The opportunity Of do
ing something for fusion ard silver beiun-
too good 20 miss, Mr.. Wiley said that the
fusion forces would hold together tai s-ery-
human wrong was rightest SILVER {a shs
issue 81 ISIS, and silver VIII be tha issue
in i.a he said in ringing tomas. 4 men
tion OF BRYAN brought out a cheer Tatsny
advantage 81 this, the frst exhibition ~
enthusiasm, the chairman declared thar
Bryan would BE- the nominee OF tbs f,,ais,,
forces in ls9 for the presidency, and tl,en
there was mere cheering.
Nth a h~afiEc expression on his fsrs
and fearful lest the climax whfch - baa
gracefully worked up would suffer from a.
reaction Mr.. Wiley declared TIE messing
adjourned Mr.. Williams protested ard
offered his resolution above referred 70
which being pslt. the gathering hroka m
Ard pip White wasn't there "a ~rsa 81
the Populists for trying 20 break IN IA
sion.