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SF ee) Pea a aan aye ne : in American: his Supreme Court been " under hea¢ier fire. Dominant opinion - , in one whole section of the country charges ‘it with “usurping power and ‘destroying the Constitution” in its. ,school desegregation decision. A good ,many congressmen from other areas ‘are highly annoyed with the court’s At few perk i ry has th nist hunting and its opening score of bills haVe been : “oUlered to reverse its rulings or cur- tail its independence. b This is not a.new situation. Of all ‘the checks and balances in the Amer- Jean system of government, the Su- ipreme Court is the most powerful. ‘It balanees the executive and legis- ative departments and it checks im- ‘pulsive action under popular pres- ‘ | Perece of abuses in Commu- filec: A ' lenres Both functions ware wall ioe 8 re a pe Ul FUNCTIONS Were Welis iis ‘trated 20.years ago when the court was digging in its heels against New Deal expansion of federal powers to meet the depression crisis. Recently the court.has been restraining gov-_ “ernmental invasion of individual rights whe Gealing with the cold- . war crisis... |, Many of. the court’s critics today “were its defenders in that earlier conflict—and vice versa. Many’ who call it “dictator” today will applaud it as “guardian of our liberties” to- | morrow, Actually there is more dan- geq that the court may loose its inde- dence than that it will become a. diclator. History shows that when public opinion is united and cllpar.- the court does not long stand aga it. Normally it applies the brakes | while emotions cool, added informa. tion guides action and:common sense: . haa A ML, ew ee, ae A G4AUG 6 1957 Me | Public. ‘Opinion a and Court Opinions: proportion to its performance of its ! ‘ segregation. And every citizen . weakens a bulwark which next moe i interprets the Constitution, | e " necessary adjustments, ." . By definition a brake opera restrain some force or action. ra is difficult to do without some fric- | tion. Se naturally the Supreme Court | may encounter criticism in direct ° function. Criticism of the court's con- ‘ clusions, even of its reasoning, is | necessary to the democratic process. Often questions of national policy ~ are involved about which any citizen ; is entitled to an opinion, . But differing from the court’s view does not require personal attacks on the judges. Senator Byrd’s denun- ciation of Chief Justice Warren as a “modern Thaddeus Stevens” may ex- cite new passions, but it will not win respect for the supporters of ro ho Las «= eee oh eee Kd strikes a blow at respect for the con ek or next year may be his own chief defense against injustice. Hewspaver: | Date 5 9/22/57 , dition + Atlantic ; Author or: (Zeitor) = ERWIN D. CANHAM Title : Clasa. or' Character 3 Page : 16 t fee ae Mr. NOT RECORD®®? 126 AUG 5 357 Rosanr + svORue . . Tamm. . Tr let Noase Tele. Room____ Mr. Holloman Miss Gandy_._. PEeISTIAY SCISICH NOUITOR —_——