Carbon County news., 1937-10-22
WRITE WHAT
| THINK
by Melinda Alexander
If Black We're White

1
!. If Black were White would he
resign as Justice of the Supreme
Court? Had Black been White
would he have accepted nomination
to the Supreme Court in the man
ner and under the circumstances ?
| Aside from a passionate love OF
liberty and justice inherent in the
American character, the American
people have no greater pride than
a belief in their ability to be judi
icial. Whatever may be our sins of
omission and commission as indiv-
iduals, as people we are opposed
to prejudice and bigotry, intoler-
ance and persecution.
There must be a morally right
and ethically sound approach to
the question of the appointment
of Hugo Lafayette Black to the
United States Supreme Court.
During President Roosevelt's
first administration a welter of
Legislation had been passed by
Congress embracing to a consid-
cradle degree an economic philos-
ophy wholly at odds with Ameri-
can theory of government and econ
omy and having much in common
with that school of European
thought known as Socialism.
The World War had taught the
American people unity through a
nationwide campaign of propag-
anda. General johnson was quick
to perceive the value of that war;
time technique in uniting the Am
erican people behind the program
of national recovery. For a very
long time after it's initiation the
American people accepted all that
was attempted in the meek spirit
"The King can do no wrong" By
the time the National Recovery
Act was challenged, and a ques-
tion of its validity raised, the Am
erican people had retreated from
their attitude of meek subserv-
ience. They again wished to rule.
The Supreme Court in declaring
that Act and a series of other acts
unconstitutional followed public
opinion. 1t did not run counter to
it.
With the removal of govern
mental structures from business
the entire nation breathed more
freely. President Roosevelt was re-
turned to office by an overwhelm-
ing majority because of his tre-
mendous' personal popularity and
because his opposition was so
weak and inept.- ~.,> .>. 4;
It was the hope of the nation
that we would stand a united
people participating more fully in
that "life. more abundant" about
which we had heard aplenty.
Alas, while Senator Norris had
been responsible for conveying
lie g Station through Congress
changing the Inauguration of the
President and the meeting Of
Congress from March to January,
his plan did not preclude a stormy
advent for the new Administra-
tion. In torrential rain the Presi-
dent took his oath of office. In
clustering March-mood he sent his
message to Congress demanding
much new and radical legislation.
The Supreme Court, that Yener-
able body of old men, which we
had always believed could neither
be bought nor hypnotized, was
singled out for bitter attack. For
nearly eight months the United
States Congress remained in ses-
sion, accomplishing far more for
the public good by it's failure to do
anything than the people realized. |
The tension respecting the Presi-
dents attitude toward the Su-
preme Court was felt everywhere.
July came with mild talk of ad-
journment. A mandate from the
White House! Congress could dill
ly daily no longer. The United
States Supreme Court required ra-
dical reform. It must have trans
fusion Of new blood, and the jur-
idical physicians, unlike the medi-
cal doctors, were concerned pri-
marily with getting a brand of
blood guaranteed not to blend with |
that of the Chief Justice and his
Associates.
Early in the Session Hugo La
Fayette Black had arisen to make
a prolonged address wherein the
redundant expression "and that |
piece of legislation finally wound
it's weary way to the United States |
Supreme Court was employed to
hold the Supreme Court up to der
ision. It was observed by many
auditors of that session that the
speech was delivered with defi-
mite motive, and anticipated re-
wards.
Senator Joe Robinson, Demo-
cratic Floor Leader, was required ,
to lead the attack on the Supreme
Court. "A valiant leader fell with /
his face toward the battle" His