The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-06
THE NEW SUPREME COURT.

Illness and death in the ranks of the
justices of the supreme court of the
United State are placing in the hands
of President Taft the power of shap-
ing the destinies of the nation. one
might say, during the next decade,
or more likely, for much longer pc
Rod. In a brief space of time three
of the justices who have served on
this bench for many years have
passed on to greater rewards-Justfce
Peckham. Justice Brewer and Chief
Justice Fuller. Justice Moody is so
wracked with bodily ills that he has
been forced into retirement. Not only
that, but Justice Harlan is in his 77th
year, with service in this court of
33 years, and there have been rumors
that he proposed to retire before long.
In the event of Justice Harlan's re-
tirement in the next year or two it
will mean that President Taft will
practically have the re-making of the
court of last resort of the nation, as
he will have the naming of major
ity of the court. But if Justice Har-
Ian should not retire, the influence
which the other four Taft appointees
will have on the deliberations of this
court will be most material.
Such an important duty has not
fallen on the hands of any other presi-
dent in the entire history of the coun-
try since this all-powerful tribunal
was originally created. That it is in
good hands, as good as could be found
in the nation, will be the general YER
dict of the people. BY training and
temperament President Taft is of a
judicial trend of mind. Not only that,
but he has a proper regard and re-
spect for the momentous power that
our system of government places with
in the Jurisdiction of the supreme.
court and its inferior federal courts.
For this reason he is not of the opin-
ion that has been held by some presi-
dents of recent years that federal
judgeships of any degree are fit offices
for political barter. And If there is
one thing that President Taft has not
been criticised concerning, it is the
judicial appointments he has made.
All of them so far have approached
the ideal, although a few of the yell
low press and the undertaking maya
zines did not look kindly on the eIe-
walton of Justice Lurton to the SUI
preme court, because of his alleged
personal relations to a corporation or
two, although all of them were forced
to admit that Justice Lurton is a jur-
list of great ability and distinction.
The appointment of Governor Hughes
of New York to the supreme bench
has been criticised only in the con-
nection that it takes him out of the
public and political arena, where he
has done such yeoman's work and
where greater and larger things were
expected of him.
The new supreme court, as Presi-
dent Taft will make IT. will have the
final determination and Interpretation
of the acts of congress which have
been passed, and which are in inme-
date prospect, for the purpose of
solving all of the many important
problems that are confronting the
people of the nation. The selection of
men to discharge this solemn and
eventful duty is really the most con-
sequential act that President Taft will
have to perform during his entire ad
ministration. And there is reason for
congratulations all around that he is
so we'll fitted for the task.