Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-09
The Supreme Court us "spoils"

GOVERNOR CONS latest charge against
- the senatorial oligarchy is as serious
AS II Is starting. TO tho average American
citizen who has been accustomed TO regard
the Supreme Court. bulwark of his liber-
ties, as far removed from the machin atoms
OF politics, it comes like q blow to learn
that any one so much as dares to think
of converting it into ''spois" for practical
politicians. It seems almost beyond rea-
son that any party's perfidous ambition
could reach such depths.
The Governors charges, even il thew be
not accepted without further proof. must
be examined carefully on their merits and
not dismissed as merely incident to
heated presidential campaign. Governor
Cox is not i'll the habit OF making loose
statements for temporary effect, or OF lodg-
Ing charges in support Of which he can
not furnish proof. The Republicans sought
to laugh him out OF court when he charged
thcm with a S15,000,000 corruption fund
Out subsequent revelations more than
proved the soundness of his accusation.
Other charges he has made, and not one
has fallen 10 the ground
There may be no real conspiracy, in the
common Interpretation OF the word TO
seize the Supreme Court, yet such u seizure
would be the natural complement OF Re-
publican victory With four probable va
cancies within the next four years, 1t would
be only logical for Harding a reactionary
in the nth degree, and completely domi-
mated by his party reactonaries to I'LL them
with jurists pleasing to the will OF that
senatorial cabal OF reaction headed by
Boies Pcnrosc. AS that cabal dominates
him now, so would It dominate him as
fresd2n'. Already they have worked their
VIII on The Senate to the nations cvcrlast-
Ing dIShonor. and with Il President who
would not dare refuse the commands OF his
/, creators the next step would be to make
the Supreme Court 4 willing tool in their
hands.
That really is what Republican victory
nj the polls would mean, a suhnergcnce OF
al three constitutional branches OF the gov
eminent TO Penrusc and the interests he
! represents 1t IS mighty stake that is be-
me played for. aad on the outcome depends
/ whether America will so forward, its face
TO the future, or sink back into reaction. n
'I'tt!c" america clay in tho lands os the
/ oligaTchical moldHrs Governor Cox merits
! The thanks Of The nation lcr his boldness
IN pointing out the danger. 1t is for the
nation itself at the polls 10 make such n
prostitution OF its highest court impossible.
Governor Lowdcn and Mayor William
| Hale THOMPSON broke even in the factionaI
| contest in tho Republican primary, in which
they championed opposing candidates for
Governor and United States Senator
! Fhompson'S candidate won the nomination
! for Governor and Lowdcn's that for United
| states Senator. Both are empty honors. if
| the States electorate is clear-ysioncd when
! II goes to cast the ballot in November.
| The District OF Columbia Court Of An
| pnals has handed down decision DENYING
! an injunction preventing Secretary Colby
from promulgating the woman suffrage
amendment. Since Colby had already pro-
mnigattd 1t, the antisufragists' loss OF their
SUIT hardly means any ma,erialized sur
trngst gain.
Cox ana Harding are hfty-nfty on their
experience in escaping injury in train
wrecks III which both have been caught I'm,
Cox Is log TO Hsrdins's nothing on the col
lapshg OF stands from which speeches wcre
delivered When Cox gets IN to spcak bn
carries weight with him.
Wheat, like sugar. is on the toborean
In the face OF present market tendencies q,
would appear that wheat growers were
short-sighted when they were up In ,r,ro
against SAG govornment-priced wheat.
Panama has elected three yice-presi.
dents OF the republic. Does tina, mo-,
apprehension OF unusual mortality in ,bo
chief executives ONCE?
i'm. 10.