The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-11
BY FIVE DICTATORS.
Ed Little Points Out How the
Will of 100000
People Is Nullified by the
Supreme Court.
Does Not Believe ir Abolishing the
Federal Courts But in Limiting
the Tenure of Office.

E. c. Little believes with G. c. Glenn
| ems that the federal courts as they are
| now constituted are a menace to the
liberties of the people, but he is not in
favor of the abolition of those tribunals,
and suggests that the tenure of Office
be limited to at least six years, sug-
gest1ng that the usefulness of any jul
d1cial mind is limited to that length of
| time. Discussing the courts and judges
Mr.. Little said today to a reporter for
the Journal:
Under the present system, the courts
have deprived the people of the free
dom of speech and of the right of trial
by jury. These courts say that we are
entitled to trial by jury, but we lose
that right if we interfere even indi-
rectIy with the management of rail-
road. We also lose the right to the
freedom of speech and to the kings
highway if aught we do interferes with
the management and operation of some
millionaire'S coal mine.
I'VE grow weary of the dangerous in
f1uence of private interests in public af-
fairs. I presume that every reasonable
man will agree that before long we will
have some species of direct legislation,
perhaps the initiative and referendum,
which will make it difficult for trusts
and corporations and similar entities to
control the enactment of the statutes,-
but for the present they have discovered
another way of making laws. They Sc
cure the appointment OF federal judges
whose bias and training is in favor of
accumulated wealth and it's ends. They
go before them and induce them to de-
eide in advance that some given act is
a crime; to issue an injunction against
its performance and then to imprison
the man who in pursuance of the rights
given him by the constitution shall do
the thing which they have enjoined
him from doing, though he may have
had no notice thereof
We are so situated in this country
that five men upon the supreme bench
of the United States can set aside a law
made by the unanimous voice of thir
teen millions of voters. Every intelli-
gent lawyer and any other citizen who
is free from prejudice ought to know
that these judges who deprive men of
the right of trial by jury and of the
right of freedom of speech are violating
the constitution of the Union and will
some day receive the Impeachment
which they so well deserve at the hands
of the house of representatives.
There is absolutely no place in a
Democracy for five dictators any more
than there would be for one. The peo-
pie of this country have reached the
point where they desire that their judg-
es should quit making laws, leave their
enactment to the legislatures and the
people and resume their places as the
mere interpreters of the law. The time
has come when the body of American
people must assert their own cause.
Conscious of their strength and anima-
ted by a sense of their duty they will
not surrender their birth right to trusts,
corporations and courts.
1.-The powers of the supreme court
must be curbed. We do not want any
longer a system that allows five men to
override the will of thirteen millions
of people. It is silly relic of barbar-
ism, without excuse or palliation. AS
to the judges, am opposed to the life
tenure in office. 1t is manifeStly wrong
No man is qualified to retain place on
the bench during all of his life time.
Six years should be the limit. L am not
in favor of the abolition of the courts
but I am in favor of a statute which
shall be restrictive and at the same
time present to these judges the i'm
portance of the responsibility which
AS has been well said, the supreme
court of the United States must be end
ed or amended"
Mr.. Little believes that other changes
of benefit could be made in our present
system of government, and suggests
that future legislation could well take
the following course:
''F'irst-The government should eS-
tablish postal savings banks.
'.Second.-The state should insure the
property and lives of it's citizens.
''Third.-The government should own
the railroad and telegraph lines.
''Fourth.-The taxes of the govern
ment should be assessed on the millions
which the government protects and not
on the comparatively propertyless peo-
pie who protect the government, with
the purpose of securing from the vast
fortunes some contribution to the main
tenance of the nation.
''Fifth.-The law Should be placed
above the courts and not the courts
al he a