Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1910-04-08
TAFT'S JUDICIAL
TEMPERAMENT
The muck-rakers are after poor
Mr.. Taft for fair.

Mr.. Taft for fair.
The April issue of Hampton's
Magazine already out contains
an article on the effort now being
made in the senate of the United
States to grab the immense mineral
of Alaska for the big
moneyed syndicates which have al
ready received such unpleasant not
oriety in connection with the Gun
ningham claims. The independent
republicans Of Alaska elected dele
gate to congress named Wicker
sham, and he went to Washington
determined to oppose the proposed
steal, which was to be made by
means of a bill bearing the imprim-
atur of President Taft. Says
Hampton's:
Appearing before the senate
committee to tell what he thought
of the administration bill, Judge
Wickersham pointed out a series of
objections to it, and the following
colloquy ensued:
Senator Owen, of Oklahoma {:
Judge, | want to ask with regard
to the presidents opportunity of
knowing the things you have point
ed out. They have not been pre-
sented to him by you?
Mr.. Wickersham: No, sir; they
have not, because he refused posi-
lively to see me.
Senator Owen: You were elected
as delegate from Alaska?
Mr.. Wickersham: Yes, SIR was;
and ] made application to the presi-
dent for an interview, saying to Mr..
Carpenter, (the presidents secre
tary) that | wanted to talk to the
president about these matters. He
sent word through Mr.. Carpenter
that his mind was made up and he
did not think it was any use to talk
to me, and he declined to see me.
Otherwise we might have got some
thing done before this bill came
here"
Here is a most singular state of
affairs. The president of the Unit
ed States, wishing to cur new
legislation for Alaska, refuses to see
the regularly authorized representa-
tive of the people of Alaska, refuses
yer to grant him the privilege of
an audience, saying that his mind is
already made up!
1t is said that the president prides
himself upon the possession of "the
judicial temperament" Here is
the judicial temperament with a
vengeance. What is to be thought
of a judge who, after consultation
with the representatives of the in
terests which are most hungry to
exploit Alaska, frames up a deci-
sion to suit himself-an them
and absolutely refuses to hear the
evidence of the duly elected repre-
sentative of people who are most to
be affected by the measure pending
before congress?
1t would seem that Mr.. Taft's
Judicial temperament" is a handy
one; a good thing for the wealthy,
but an extremely inconvenient pos
session so far as the common people
are concerned. The chief fruits of
his judicial temperament so far
seem to be as fine a bunch of corpo-
ration lawyers as eve president
gathered together in one cabinet.
II would seem too. that the only
representatives of the people barred
from audience with the president
are not Senator LaFollettc and the
insurgent congressman. The vested
interests have succeeded in shutting
out the gentleman from Alaska.
II is to be presumed that the.senatc
will second the motion. The min
ers of Alaska have a slight chance
in the house of representatives,
where Wickersham may succeed in
getting a hearing from the demo
Gratis and the insurgents" The
same coalition that sat down 50 hard
on Uncle Joe may be the means Of