The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-25

der this prov;so all sheep. or all cattle,
o. all the factories In the state OF Wash
ington. or all pianos could be exempted.
and this would not be class legislation.
because IL would affect Gil the com
ceanity alike This distinction IS a well
recognized one, and Is sustained by the
supreme court OF New York and Pennsyl-
vania, by the supreme court Of the United
States ard no doubt by every one o. the
cider states OF this country.
The exposition OF law which this lawyer
gave at the Arrlory was amusing 70 any
one who had any real knowledge OF the
subject, but as he was talking 10 please
his hearers and TO abuse the supreme
court. he did not need 20 have any real
knowledge OF the law. for it would not
have been acceptable 10 that crowd.
This gentleman thinks that Populisr
legislature should not only override the
constitution OF the state. but thar the
judges OF the supreme court should be
serviie enough 10 take Populist act OF
legislation for law, instead of coeying the
constitution OF the state. The judges took
an oath 10 administer the laws accord
ing to the constitution OF the state. and
they never took an cath 10 obey the acts
OF legislature, when such acts are
In conflict with the constitution. Because
they upheld the constitution OF the STATE
as they are sworn to do. this gentleman
advised that they be turned out 20 the
intent that the creatures OF political
party should administer the law. with
out regard 10 the constitution
X Is a common thing for these people TO
denoance all constitutional law. every
thing which makes life and property Sc
cure They have studioasly taught that
courts should be the creation OF poau-
cal party. and II q court stands between
them and the accomplishment OF uncon-
Stituttonai ends, which would be Suavers-
i've Of government. they are ready 10 place
their political tools on the bench 10 carry
out their vasaries, in spite OF their oaths
10 observe the fundamental Law. And their
patriotism is SO entirely forgotten that
they do this apparently without any
shame.
They are debauching the ignorant, but
their assaults on law and order and courts
and property will never prevail. Had the
supreme court of this state been true9-
lent enough 70 have decided that this ex-
empsion law was constitutional. and IL
each one OF the judges had lost his mind
or his integrity in paioaple evasion OK
constitutional law, the result would be the
same in the end. The constitution or the
United States, Fourteenth amendment.
provides as a safeguard 10 the rights OF
citizens OF the United States that no citi-
zen residing outside OF any state ana own
ing property therein can be taxed higher
than the citizens OF the same state in
which said property is located. A ciu-
zen of New York state, for instance. own
ing property In the city OF Seattle. had
this so-cailed exemption law been allow
ed to stand on the statute book. and be-
Ing Obliged 20 pay taxes under 1t, could
have gone into the United States courts,
either in New York or Seattle. and en-
joined successfully all attempts TO make
H.
more than his share: and the entire ma
chinery of justice Of the United States
would be at his back 10 prevent such an
outrage.
The Republican party and the Demo-
cratic party have always jealousy guard
ed the rights which are secured by ma
tional and state constitutions. and their
histories have been built on these lines.
The traditions OF Jeffersonian Democracy
require an equal and just dispensation OF
law to all alike. They have always be-
lived in equal rights and the supremacy
OF law and order and a pure judiciary.
Pure Jeffersonian Democracy is much
needed in these days. In its purity IL is
conservative and patriotic. The Populist
party is not only not patriotic. but in APP
pealing 10 class prejudices, which is its
stock and trade. ii is thoroughly un-
American.
As we are about to celebrate the Fourth
of July and have a good time would ii
not be Well for all parties and all citi-
gems to consider for a little what the day
really means, and wherein the true bonds
of American citizenship consist Let us
renew our loyalty to our country. its flag.
its principles, to equal rights, and to tho
maintenance OF the fundamental laws OF
the land. Glass prejudices are un-Ameri-
can. MAGMA CHARTA.