South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-06-13
POLITICS FROM THE SUPREME BENCH.

had served upon very effective notice
that despite the judgeships cal
culated remove the supreme bench from the infu-
ence Of politics the bench from political
justices still human, and by means
void Of political color or prejudice The nomination by
the republicans Mr.. Justice Charles Evans Hughes,
his prompt acceptance the influences admitted TO
have been behind him his candidacy for the nomna-
Con and his immediate plungng into the campaign by
holding conferences with the leaders is all the
evidence that behind all his silence, there
were secret UNDERSTANDINGS, who knows but that
fer years back his conduct the bench has been
moulded in anticipation of this event?
Take his decision in the Danbury Hat case. for
stance in the International Harvester Co case in
the United States Steel corporation, and other big
business" controversies From this highest in
the land has assuredly notice the anti
union labor and other captalistic forces that they
can little wonder that Good Angel
George W Perkins should find him so reasonably
ceptabIe. while even T. r. appears the OF
stepping aside in the absence perhaps his ability
tolerate the ex-justice's pro-Germanism. While
doubt nat would he wise policy for the democrats
insert plank ST Louis platform denouncing
the retirement supreme justices from the
bench enter the political fray is being proposed
yet we IS the spirit of the country, and
tainIy intention of the trainers of the
stuton the life job afforded such justices should
answer that purpose.
SIR. Hughes begins his campaign for the presidency
by violating spirit constitution if
letter lawyer jurst that he ought to
know IT, knowing IT, there must be something preying
upon Hughes mind. superior in effectiveness to his
American patrictism-perhaps merely a political
bition. but in the light of other developments per-
haps. TOO. his pro Germansm.-that has induced him
10 tske step It regrettabe that the
supreme court should be drawn the
paign after this IL may serve to bring
before the country that there still five
pubIicaus on the bench to three democrats while when
Pres't Wilson entered office mp last Saturday
there republicans 10 three democrats render
ing the republican grumble about the president
pointing democrats OF rather bad grace We give
the credit Pres't Taft for appointing OF those
three Not another democrat had been appointed to
supreme bench since Grover Cleveland presi-
dent
quite apparently aside from Pres't Taft the repub-
leans have kept pretty keen eve upon the political
complexion of the bench for number of years
almost surprise that republican "bg business.
Of strenuous attempt prevent the recent
confirmation Mr.. Justice Louis E. Brandeis should
have consented to giving Prest Wilson another
a tribunal through the retirement Hughes
But maybe they have thoueht they him "a
the white house. Perhaps they feel that they
through him. rush through congress the passage of
certain laws that viii render the 'juC al tempera-
rnentr of AIr. Brandeis nugatory.
Indeed yes the action Of Ar Hughes is going to
place supreme court before the country
hes been before years-since the DAYS Of Chief
Justice salmon p. chase. Chase had an eve on
presidency too history recalls appealing TO the
republican aud then 10 the democratic party the
post which Prest Lincoln had appointed him, but his
ambition. o AIr hughes. him nowhere