The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-12-23

governments power over the rail-
roads.
A MORAL QUESTION.
The Memphis News-Scimitar, pub
lished in Tennessee, the state where
in resides Judge Lurton. the new ap-
pointee to the United States supreme
court. on Oct. 26. published the fol-
lowing concerning him:
HE Is q man of ability and force
fulness and the graduate of a shrewd
school in politics. During his career
a. . Judge he has been much criti-
cised Tor his leanings toward corpor-
atoms lttigant before him. It has
been urged against him that, during
his ~judgeshtp he has been the notable
recipient Of distinguished favors from
corporations. He has for instance,
been wont to travel during his va
cations upon the private car Of var
t0us railroads Of the country, with
I'll 1vailable courtesies and privileges
extended with lavish hand to himself
and. party"
This - Q serious statement, es-
pecially when It IL remembered that
IL y published In Judge Lurton's own
state. Il he has accepted such favors
from railroad corporations. he must
be . remarkable man IL he ian pass
upon their cases with no prejudice
In favor Of them. Yet We are loath
to believe that President Taft could
appoint to the supreme court q man
who - committed by associations and
by mental habits to the cause Of spec
ial interests.
This quotation from the Tennessee
paper - not made here with the pur-
pose Of bringing into question the
worthiness Of Judge Lurton for a
seat on the highest bench in the
United States. Time alone IAN vim
dictate or condemn President Taft's
judgment in that matter.
The question that has been raised
concerning the sincerity Of President
Taft In making this appointment IL
Illustrates one more a profound truth
that is seldom recognized. No one
questions the mental attachments of
the president. He is conceded to be
exceptionally able and remarkably
we'll poised. Yet in this appointment
LOT Judge Lurton has been raised al
question which challenges the presi-
dents fitness for the of1ce he occu-
pies. It Is q question, moreover,
purely moral in its nature. II Judge
Lurton has shown such marked par
TALLY to q special class Of litigants,
or has placed himself under obliga-
ton to them, President Taft, in ap-
pointing him to the supreme court,
Is committing a moral offense, SER
ious enough to classify him with
the worst Of the presidents Of
this country. In other words. the men
who come to be known ~ the great
eat to be found IN the service Of their
country. achieve that distinction by
reason Of their moral stature. Lincoln
10 no doubt the best loved Of al
Americans. and yet he u distinguish
ed chiefly because he saw the
right when almost any one could
zee It. and refused to falter In
his devotion to It. More recently,
Theodore Roosevelt has been ire
msndously popular. Yet Roosevelt u
ahevs III elsa mogsxst. He laid
down : code q morals far the trans.
action q business IN this country that
would DO honor TO any minister.
Dsfors President Taft has served
ont his term or terms In the White
House. he viii know that It ID the
moral man. and not the mental man.
that 50 tested IN one who has respon-
sibilities % great % those imposed
upon the prssident Of the United
States.
- TINS TIM ISSUE,
The n.st action taken ~ the two
South Dskots congressmsn aftsr the