The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-29

sible. II not probable, unannounced
candidate for the Supreme Court.
Suprpsne, Courts Power.

sthle, II not n probable, unannounced
candidate for the Supreme Court
Supreme Courts Power.
The President can only veto law
enacted by Congress II he dtsapproves.
and Il may be passed Over his veto.
The Supreme Court can decide II un-
constitutional, and thus nuilify ulti-
mate representative legislation. Does
not the Supreme Court thus become
the ultimate legislative body OF our
land2 Even though II be legislation
only by negation or elimination IN
theory, In effect It becomes positive
initial legislation by Interpretation.
Is 1t not so7 Again we are con-
fronted by condition, not a theory.
AS to whether this be well or Ill In
its ultimate effect is not the present
question. In this connection those
who believe In one-mind rule may
find some satisfaction In a closer
consideration OF our United States
Supreme Court, that splendid tribu-
nal which sits unmoved amid the
wreck of commercial systems and the
ruin OF f1nanciS worlds. 1t is COM
posed Of nine members, each appoint
ed for life by the President with the
! approval Of the Senate. whose iegis-
I lAtiou he may declare uncoustitu-
/ tional. On questions OF great pith
dltQ IlpHSHE tHGy hithg 10 alNldtQ
! five against four. the majority max
/ ing the final decision Of the court
/ as a whole. or those five three may
settle nooted details. OF those three
i two may have to francs the terms
! OF expression. and OF those two there
! is apt to be one who voices the I'LL
! innate thought. Then should this
one have some dear and trusted Fidus
/ Aehates not wearing the judicial err
/ mine but wise in the particular
branch Of commerce or finance un
/ der consideration, II might ne that
power behind a perfectly honora BILE
bench could become greater than
the bench itself, or at least have i'm
portant iniuenc In framing It's de-
cislon
so why not try for the supreme
bench, young man? once obtained
! you can lose the great honor only by
unthinkable dishonor, by resignation
or by death. If wise enough, you
might he one OF the potential five. if
lucky enough, you might be one of the
potent triumvirate. II both wise and
| lucky, why not one OF the precedent
breaking duality: If blest by the gods
you may be the ultimate in one
who rules the two. and SO individually
Hiegislates by Interpretation for mil
lions of men and billions Of money,
with no appeal from your fateful de-
cision.
Supreme Bench Ultima Thule.
Then why not Oh wise and hopeful
advocate. with instincts for the best.
why not make the supreme bench
the ultimate of your praiseworthy
ambition, Nowhere In the service Of
your country and therefore Of man
kind, will there ever be more need for
the best, and you may be the chosen
one, il you are willing and able TO
pay the price Of preparation service
aud iscT!minating fealty
VIII each reader answer for him.
self these i've questions
!. Would / like 10 be a teacher ,
II SO Why
. Could I afford 10 be "a cltY coun-
Gilman, a State legislator or CON
gressman9 Why
,. il it depended only OF MY own
choice, would / srefer 70 become
President or a member % the Sa-
pfeme Court? Why?
4. To what extent is r right for
me - a loyal citizen 10 question the
authority az the supreme Court to
leeislate by interpretation?
5, Why do we abuse n judicial can
didate and then make a fetish II hin.
after election ar appointments
The next lecture win continue the
InquiTy What Could ! De Bes; 20
with special consideration for The
hen ling professions