The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-07-16
The Sale Of Justice


And judgment is turned away
backward, and Justice standeth afar
off: for truth is fallen in the street,
and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth
faileth; and he that departeth from
evil maketh himself a prey"
We may not know how accurately
these words of Isaiah described politi
cal conditions in Jerusalem. They are
a severe indictment of an evil time.
Yet think few will deny that we have
in our American cities today precisely
that condition of affairs which these
words describe.
Illustrations are always at hand and
che does not need to go beyond the
borders of his own municipality to
find examples of tyranny which are
submitted to with amazing indiffer-
ence.
In Ohio there HIS recently come to
light an example of judicial weakness
which would cause an uprising if the
public conscience were not scared.
Franchises had been granted for an
i. definite period. The street railway
companies possessing these franchises
claimed that they were perpetual The
people claimed that they were reyoc-
able at will. A certain judge in Co
lpmbus decided in favor of the COM
ranies. 1t is not necessarily proof OF
corruption that judges should so often
render decisions in favor of the no
often on their side. 1t ought to be.
since they make the laws for the most
part
But this particular Judge was 8 can
didate for the republican nomination
tic the supreme court of the state.
Mayor Johnson charges against him
that this decision in favor of perpet-
nal franchises was written three
months before it was announced; that
1T was shown in advance to the COM
Ianies; that it was through railroad
Influence that this judge secured his
coveted nomination. Having written a
cecision favorable to monopoly, hav-
ing secured as a reward the nomlna.
tion which he sought, having kept the
public in dark until the convention
had been held, he now relies On the
indifference of the people and the po-
1itical handicap in his favor to win
the race.
l heard recently story of dis
honest judge. 1t was no worse than
the things that are commonly be-
lieved of judges, but it was somewhat
shocking to hear the story from
source that could not be doubted. We
are growing accustomed to suspect our
Judges of corruption, but here is a
Judge that | know was corrupt.
A decision had been written which
was certain to depreciate the stock Oh
enc of the public service corporations
of the city. Three weeks before that
decision was made public it was clan
destinely revealed to the attorney OF
this corporation SO that the favored
ones could have an opportunity to I'M
load their stock on widows and orph
ans"
1t is not difficult to understand why
Judgment is turned away backward,
and justice standeth afar off, VIXEN we
reflect upon the character of the men
who dictate the nomination OF these
judges.
OHC VI tuC wal DCSoSo III SAASAAA
rati recently gave his annual picnic
to the people of his ward. 1t was es-
timated that from twelve to fifteen
thousand people accepted his hospi-
tally. One paper, in fulsome praise
of his liberality, gave this list of ar
iicles provided by the host, 225 gal
aons of ice cream, 400 gallons of milk,
$3.50 bananas, 30 barrels of lemon
ade favored with 26 gallons of claret,
1900 free tickets to Coney Island,
$4,000 tickets to amusements, seven
silver and one gold medal and some
money in cash prizes.
Commenting on this picnic news
paper stated editorially that it would
lie a good thing for the city if more
ward leaders would follow this exam
pile of generosity, and then quoted as
applying to this boss the saying of
Jesus, "Inasmuch as We have done 1t
unto one of the least of these my
brethren we have done it unto me-"
We remember that before Boss
Tweed was sent to prison some of the
New York papers were speaking of
him as "our noble benefactor" News
paper editors should be little more
discriminating in their praise.