The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-11
COY. lEEDY OVERRUlES II.
HOLDS THE z. 3. SUPREME COURT
WAS N ERROR IN DECISION.
Laird Inveetfve In Reviewing the
Opinion Recently Handed Down
In Nebraska Freight Rate Case.

TOPEKA. Kan. March la-Ths Popu-
HIT administration OF the state Of Kansas
gave oat a startling public address today.
one bris,Itng with severe criticism OF the
recent decision Of TIE United States So
preme court In the Seorazxa maximum
freight rata case. The address is pariies-
larry significant. IN that Gov. Leedy has
already taken steps preliminary % The
calling OF the state legislature in special
session with the especial purpose OF en-
acting a maximum freight rate iaw.
While the address Is given out over the
signature OF Gov. LeeGy, II had first been
approved by Chief Justice Doster OF the
rtate supreme court. and other prominent
Pcpuissts.
In giving the address TO the reporter.
Gov. Lee6y said.
How long do you suppose man can
write Treason like this without getting into
jana You may put my signature 10 II. and
make Il a signed statement so that I. any
body goes TO Jail IL Will Do me-
The governor begins mis- address with the
statement that for a year the press dis
patches have said that the opinion In the
Nebraska case would be adverse 10 the
state. Then he says:
The opinion has been handed down and
the Associated Press dispatches say that
II IL a clean victory for the railroads. On
the contrary. Il Is an unclean victory in
-
no matter now carefully the robes of JUS
tice are folded about the personnel OF the
supreme court. the robes can no longer
conceal the cloycn hoof OF official mai
feasancs and as9rpatLon-
As this decision MAS due a year ago.
and as there Was no known reason for the
delay. and as the decision rendered con-
firms the statements made IN the Associat-
ed Press from time 70 time. strong color is
given 10 the suspicion that the press dis
patches emaf-ated from some person in
M ~ ka
purpose of feeling the pulse Of the public
and preparing IL for the decision. which
soes much farther in the direction OF
asurping power than any that has yet
been made
The governor then declares that the con-
stitution OF Nebraska gives the Legislature
power 10 establish maximum charges for
transportation. and declares that the SUI
preme court has tried 10 abrogate IL. He
challenges Justice Harlans declaration
that corporation is person under the
fourteenth amendment TO the Federal con-
stitut!on, and says;
corporation lawyer or a subservient judi
cial tool Of corporate interests
Gov. Leedy then quotes the fourteenth
amendment. and says:
''How in the name Of God can this apply
TO corporations Corporations are not
born. they are created-made ~ law. They
cannot be naturalized. they can take no
oatn OF arrogance, only human beings born
elsewhere can do that
After more In the same strain the gov
evnor stiil referring 10 the fourteenth
amendment. says:
Who are the persons who shall not. ac-
cording 10 the provisions, be deprived OF
life. liberty or property. nor be denied
equal legal protsction2 Every body outside
the asylum and OF the judicial bench
knows them 10 be-and TO only be-natural
persons. They are those who, beside the
b-.fef Il
protection. also have life and can enjoy
liberty, and that means human beings"
Continuing the governor quotes Hare on
American constitutional law and decision
by Justice Woods. Of the United States cir
cult court, Afterwards a supreme court
justice. TO prove that the fourteenth
amendment does not refer 10 corporations.
aud declares that the Woods decision had
been folio we'd in California, Rhode Island
and other states from 1870 TO IsS2. when
Justice Field and another Federal justice
OF the peace named Sawyer decided the
other way. and since then. whenever
corporation starts out 10 commit highway
robbery! pick a mans pocket or loot "A
public treasury, II DISCUSSES itself
person and goes out on its mission OF
plumber Nobody bat slave or a kn.ye
viii yield 10 the hideous distortion or
meaning which Judge Harlan gives 10 the
word person as used In the fourteenth
hts Infamous decision. and which shows TO
What depths OF inlauity the supreme court
Of the United States has descended
IL desire" the governor said. ito quote
soma Of the decisions Of the supreme
court OF the rnltcd States before II went
into partnership with Morgan Wander
bit. Gould 4 TO. in opposi tlo1 20 The opin-
Ten they bold Ia The Nebraska case
Long decisions by Justice John Marshall
in lSSo are quoted.
In conclusion. Gov. Leedy states that
his maximum rate bin Will be presented
10 the Kansas legislature in such shape
( iaat 20 decide against II, the court must
reverse lts decision in the Nebraska case
and he states that II tire court stiil pur-
sues the corrupt and rotten practice that
+ II has heretofore. by changing is decisions
+ Il suit the shifting interests ~ the rail-
read corporations" the remedy WI M
VITA the people In their dealings with the
courts or in building railroads Of their
pwa.