The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-17
KANSAS COMMENT
ToHN DEIrz AND JUSTICE.

OC111N OEl1L AND JUSTICE.
John Deitz of Wisconsin settled in
the wilds and built his home near a
river. He took possession of the sur
roundings and either built a dam or
claimed possession of one. A lumber
company sought OF run its logs
ooWn the river to its mills and John
Deltz GAINED toll on every thousand
Ieet winch passed over the dam. It is
true tnat John Deitz was plain, COM
parat1vely poor citizen, while the lurn-
Der company represented a concern one
OF whose members is as rich, If not
richer, than John D. Rockefeller or An
drew Carnegie.
But when men are discussing justice
the wealth or poverty of the plaintiff
ana defendant can have no bearing
upon the question. 1t certainly seems
pam tnat there was a cause Of action
IN TINS case. 1t was a clear question of
law, whether John Deitz had the right
to toll at all, and If so, whether his
charge was equitable
Having attempted to enforce his
claims at the point of a rifle, he got
into difficulty with the law, and plead
ing the assumption that the courts
would give the lumber trust the best
OF it, he appealed to his rifle to protect
his rights. He would not submit to
legal service nor permit the sheriff to
serve warrant.
That he cannot appeal to the rifle, and
demand that the law shall not in turn
use force. If his side of the point at
issue must be maintained at the rifles
muzzle, he should comprehend that the
sheriff must use an equally convincing
weapon.
No man ever lived who either gave to
his fellow men exact justice, or re-
ce1Ved 1t from them. A human race is
so constituted that self blinds to per-
n
see where he seems to get the worst of
1t in some instance, but very few can
see that they are giving some one else
the worst of it. Yet if they have deal
1ngs with their fellow men where they
have any option in the matter, it is GER
tain that the golden rule is fractured.
Courts Of justice are nearer perfect
than is the average man. The Judge
who is prejudced or unconsciously
partial Is often met on the bench, but
the Judge who is corrupt and decides
against what he knows to be law and
equity, is among the rarest class of
criminals.
The courts must be sustained, and
the man who takes his case to the
field Of battle must expect to be shot
while he is shooting. Sympathy for
John Deitz is based upon a false idea
OF justice.-Wichita Beacon.
%
HIGH TIDE FOR BELLE HARRIS.
Twenty-Five years ago Belle Harris
( me to Emporia as a bride-a very
happy bride with a voice. She has
been singing in Emporia in the choir
at funerals, at weddings, at home
comings and goings away-on all sorts
Of occasions. She has been as much a
part of the town as a city officer-as
much of an institution as the college
or the Normal She has done what she
could-always cheerfully, always with
a kind heart. And so, when she was
elected national president of the Wo-
mans Relief Corps, thousands of people
into whose life she has brought pleas
ure that has left kind memories. were
happy, and last night the town turned
out-all her neighbors and friends and
gave her a reception--a party of great
pride at the Congregational church-in
Plymouth Hall.
1t is greatly to the credit of Belle C.
Harris, and as much to the credit of
the town, that this reception was Il
success. For it is worth while to make
the world happy and it is also worth
while to have simple human feelings Of
gratitude and affection and to show
them, when occasion arises, so last
nights party at the church will pass
into the towns history as a con-
spicuous and felicitous event.-Emporia
Gazette.