The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1901-06-20
Diysdci Courts.

ton of the supreme Court. have be-
come part of the historical record of
the nation. They will be subject TO dis
cussion ana review for Yeas. and per-
haps for generations. to come. But 1t
is proper to express a regret that the
decision appears to have been reached
in each case by bare majority. Re-
mcmbcring what happened in the legal
tender cases. ii is open 10 doubt wheth-
or the Judgment of yesterday will be
accepted as final"
\ comment like this Is deeply signiii-
cant and suggestive. There is n great
deal more respect for decision of Il
court that is unanimous. or approx
mately so. than for one which becomes
the supreme law Of the land 'by a
scratch" When the dissenters are men
Of equal ability with the bare major
ity." and as profound in learning, the
thoughtful citizen feels as If great
point in government had been decided
by a process not much more impressive
than the dip Of penny.
On what slen Ter threads do hang
some Of the cardinal principles Of our
system. The Supreme Court Of the
United States has powerful veto on
Congress and the executive. There are
nine judges. and in an important case
each one arrives Mt Il conclusion 10y n
different route Judicial minds are not
able to agree on grave propositions.
Sometimes conclusions are arrived at
by so close n vote that the result may
be practically obtained through the
partiality of judge for the appointing
power that placed him on the bench.
We cannot hope. though. to be perfect
even In our great republic. Lawyers.
like doctors. will differ. and the Su-
preme Court cannot he prevented from
becoming a debating society.
When, however. there are so many
surprises from the bench. perhaps
there should be surcease Of the sport
i've comment on the uncertainty Of the
American tury.-Cincinnati Enquirer.
Ugly Questions Come Up.
Although a number of Republicans
have come out strongly of late in favor
of the give and take" reciprocity trea-
ties. which are such red rag to the
greater part Of their body, Representa-
tive Babcock of Wisconsin as yet
stands almost alone among Itepubli-
cans in advocating the removal of the
duty on trust-made articles-and even
Babcock is insincere. Although aware
of the drift of public sentiment in this
direction. Republican Senators and
members of the House are reluctant
to admit even TO themselves that the
tariff has served Its day. Publicly they
refer to the explanations given by Mr..
the operation of the tariff permits them
to sell abroad only their surplus prod
ucts, such sales being made at mar
row margin Of profit, sometimes at n
loss, in order to maintain the home
market, but these arguments fail to
convince even themselves.
Privately they confess that this will
be serious question 10 face In the
next campaign. Il can understand
one of them is quoted rs saying. how
such a condition may exist. and that
perhaps the export business proves re-
munerative in keeping the American
workmen employed all the year, but
can we explain 1t to the people from
the stump? Will they not be inclined
to fall back on the fact that the trusts
sell goods abroad. after paying the
ocean freights, for less than they de-
mand for the same goods ut home, and
are able to do this by reason Of the
tariffy''
These questions and others still more
troublesome are bound to come up and
the time has gone by for the old lying
answers to serve. New lies will have
to be invented by the tariff thieves for
the deception of the tariff FOOLS
Johnstown Democrat.