The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-21
FRIDAY. JANUARY 21. 1898.


The late Stanley Mathews. Justice OF
the Supreme Court Of the United States
was one Of the shiftiest Of the shifty
ohio politicians. At the beginning OF the
war he was made colonel of an infantry
regiment. but like his copatriot Col. Rob
ert G. Ineerson. he soon disappeared from
the theatre Of blood and carnage, and
there is hay sort OF tradition about
the career Of each that they left il with
but few Of the military heroes honors.
His intellectually was far above ques-
ton. In cases that involved nothing but
the rights of the parties 10 the record be-
fore him. he wrote some opinions that
hold a place i'm the very first rank of
judicial exposition but as he could not
stand the rattle of the musketry in the
early sixties. neither could he stand By
an opinion that he thought the majority
were against. He wrote the first opinion
Of the Supreme Court OF the United states
in the coupon cases that looked as though
that tribunal had determined to coerce
Virginia into the fun payment Of
her coupons. That was when the matter
y
Mathews was q hero In those scenes But
the Circuit Judge Of the United states.
the late Judge Hugh l.. Bond. who was TO
put Mathews talk into practical effect.
was a man Of action who took Mathews
at his word. and enforced the law he
had laid down by putting the Attorney
General Of Virginia In Jail when he defed
the Authority of Bonds court. This
raised a tremendous uproar I'm the coun-
try. and the newspapers warmed Mr.. JUS
tice Mathews very enectually for laying
down doctrines that could produce such
a result as that. Consequently, when the
Acknowledgement carried his case before
the Supreme Court. Justice Mathews said
in effect. that he had only been foolng,
and had no idea people were going to take
him at his word That it was monstrous
to talk of putting the Attorney-General
Of a State in Jail about "A parcel of cou-
pons. and he accordingly turned him loose
and told him to defy Judge Bond to his
hearts content.
A short time after this Judge Bond was
invited 10 a dinner IN Washington with
"a very prominent public man. The latter
was slightly I'm his cups when the Judge
arrived and. throwing his arms about
Bonds neck he said: Judge. / was with
you all the time. but didn't you know
Uncle Stanley was going back on you?
He has gone back upon everybody he ever
-
presided over the convention that nomi-
mated Greeley. and he voted for Grant"
In 1873 Mr.. Justice Stanley Mathews
was a member OF the United States
Senate by appointment Of the Governor
Of Ohio, TO iii an unoxpred term. Silver
was then beginning to loom up as an
Issue that would have a considerable
backing. but no one supposed then that it
would ever become the great issue that
we have seen 1t. Mathews supposed.
therefore. that he could take silvers side
and make some OF the cheap variety OF
reputation that would 90 no serious
harm. He accordingly introduced in the
Senate in 1873 resolution affirming the
right OF the United States to pay its
bonds in standard silver dollars and, In
the discussion which ensuod. in answer to
d suggestion by AR Eaton. OF Connecti-
cut. Mathews asked this statesman-like
question, "What have we got TO do with
abroad" Mathews had far too much
sense and information TO believe in the
nonsense that Is implied in this question.
lie was only catering little 10 the senti-
ment that loves to see the tall OF the
British Lion twisted. but his resolution
passed the Senate all the same. and one
hundred millions OF dollars OF United
states bonds had been sent back 10 this
country and sold FOR gold that was taken
out OF the country within six months.
rhe free coiners have a majority OF one
In the Senato's Committee on Finance,
and that committee on Tuesday last, by
the strict silver vote. reported Mathews
resolution for re-enactmont to the SEN
ate. so that 1, seems the country is TO be
again stirred from centre TO circumference
by another free silver debate in short
time.
VIC look upon this action Of the Senate