Unequal Justice for Rich and Poor
By G.
“Equality before the law” used to be a question pertaining almost exclusively to the standing of the Negro race. White people were supposed to enjoy that privilege. But it is now a fact that a decided inequality exists even among the white race, and the difference is emphatically in favor of the rich. When a poor man is indicted by a grand jury for a penal offense, that is the end of his prerogative, excepting to have a fair trial by jury. He has to come into court and be tried without any dickering with the prosecution or the court. If he can give bonds for his appearance, he must do so; if not, he must go to prison to insure his presence when wanted—no matter how small the offense, or how circumscribed its influence. But it is different with rich men, especially those having great corporate powers, and, therefore, political influence, behind them. The great coal operators, against whom indictments were recently found in Chicago, “have been unable to agree with the State’s attorney as to a statement of facts for presentation to the court.” So says a press despatch. How would that sound in case some poor man had committed a misdemeanor? His agreement or disagreement with the State’s attorney as to what should be charged against him in court would not be long considered. The despatch further states that “the operators will not be asked to give bonds, so that their cases may come up for trial by jury in the usual way. . . . It was expected that an agreement could be arrived at, and that the personal indictments would be dismissed. The State, it is said, desired the indicted coal men to admit violation of the Illinois statutes, and to rely for their defense upon the unconstitutionality of the laws.” But the indicted parties did not choose to do as the court expected, and until they are willing to agree with the State’s attorney, the case seems to be blocked. In other words, he seems to be unable to proceed without the consent of the criminals indicted by the grand jury. It appears that the coal barons are to choose under what law they are willing to be tried. It is not likely they will concede anything that will be very hard on them. But suppose they were poor men, without political influence! However, it is not only in Chicago where such conditions obtain. The great gulf between the rich and the poor is widening everywhere every day.