The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-12
TAYLOR RIDDLE
Continued from First Page.1

one of them in Virginia enjoined Ameri-
can citizens from exercising the right
of free speech even by privately ad-
dressing another citizen Such 1nJunc-
lions are in reality criminal statutes or
the United States enacted by judges in
stead of congress; and those accused or
violating these judge-made statutes
are denied the right of trial by jury De-
cause, like the Jewish officials in Jeru-
salem on a certain occasion, the Judges
fear the people" Thus, federal judges
have usurped the legislative power OF
the federal government. During the
railway strike of 1894 they went farther:
They recruited, organized and armed
military forces called deputy mar
employed independently of the presi-
dent of the United States ana in no
manner under his control or responsible
to him a federal judge has repeated
this usurpation in Ohio during the pres
ent strike of the coal miners. So they
have drawn to themselves-these fed
eral judges of ours-the highest execu-
tive power. As they already possessed
the. judicial powers, they have now pos
Sessed Themselves of all the powers OF
the federal government; legislative, eX-
ecutiVe and judicial. They make the
laws, expOund them and raise armies 10
carry their orders into execution Con-
gress cannot now do anything without
judicial permission. In a short time,
if these aggressions are not checked,
there will be no need of either con
gress or president. The Judges Will 40
it all.
Having drawn to themselves all the
powers of the federal government, these
universal rulers are now absorbing the
powers of the state. Our state conStl-
tuition vests in the governor the power
to approve or veto legislative actS. IhaC
power is now vested in a federal judge,
who, at this moment, has under ADVISE
ment our stock yards law and Will APP
prove it or veto it next month An
other federal judge has kindly taken it
upon himself to act as our Superintend-
ent Of insurance and insurance com
par -es desiring to do business in Kan
saS apply to an Arkansas federal judge
for the necessary license Our super
intendent, appointed by the governor
and confirmed by the senate, does not
count. Having made nice, new 1nsur-
ance statute for us, this judge threat
ems to send the attorney general up
against it, if he dares to try to enforce
the commonplace statute we made our
J selves. People wishing to violate a
states criminal laws on the suspicion
that they might be unconstitutional
formerly had to take the consequences
if they made a mistake. They mad
TO submit to the inconvenience OF ar
rest, trial, conviction and appeal. Now,
as soon as the legislature gets through
passing a law disagreeable to any
takes the animal by the throat and
keeps it from frightening anybody for
a few years. A law not liked by a cor
poration cannot even get tried; cannot
be enforced for a day. Under such cir
cumstances, what is the use trying to
legislate against corporate extortions
and iniquities? What is the use OF at
tempting any reform?
Now, while it seems to be not gen.
orally known, the federal court, except
, the supreme court, are mere creatures
any congress can repeal Any congress
can abolish every federal court but the
supreme court, and take away from
| even the supreme court all power to
re
Were the federal courts abolished who
| would be harmed? Do the common
people use use them2 The The state courts are
Why do we need another set of courts?
Because, and only because, UPRIGHT
eous wealth is afraid to trust its mi
duties to the scrutiny of judges elected
by the people and not selected for ap-
pointedly by uprighteous wealth itself.
No honest man-nO man not seeking to
plumber the people-needs federal
court. He can trust an honest case
with state judges and be safe Only
ScoundreliSm needs federal courts. Fed
eral courts are dangerous to liberty.
They obstruct the will of the people.
Then why should not the people use
their constitutional power and destroy
the despot which are destroying them
What 1 propose is that the state
committee invite the committee of 9TH
er states and representatives of every
reform organization including the So
cial Democracy and the socialistic Ia
Dor party to meet for consultation, and
see whether all reformers can not unite
in 1900 to abolish the federal courts, and
arrange for propaganda in the r2ean-
time.
These suggestions are not radical.
Either the federal courts must go or re-
form can be ACCOMPLISHED only through
revolution. Reforms are going to be
! accomplished. The only choice is in the
means of accomplishing them. The
Peoples Party was not organized to
become respectable and conservatively
tinid. 1t was organized to do some
thing for the people who cannot endure a
great while longer. Let US sAize our
| tinidity and become aggressive as OF
yore and be,
1.-THE hope of all who suffer,
The dread of all who wrong
Fraternally, c.. G. GLEN EMS.