Sun Sep 15 11:00:00 UTC 2024: ## A Legacy of Corporate Favoritism and Anti-American Sentiment: The Life and Times of Willis Van Devanter
Willis Van Devanter, a Supreme Court Justice from 1910 to 1937, is remembered as one of the most conservative and anti-progressive justices in American history. His career, marked by unwavering support for corporate interests and a deep disdain for social change, serves as a stark reminder of the power and influence of corporate interests during the Gilded Age and the subsequent resistance to progressive reforms in the early 20th century.
Born in 1859, Van Devanter’s early legal career in Wyoming Territory saw him rise quickly through the ranks, representing powerful corporate interests in the Johnson County War and later serving as Chief Justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court. His appointment to the Supreme Court in 1910 was a culmination of this successful career, further solidifying his commitment to maintaining the status quo and protecting the interests of wealthy white men.
Van Devanter’s record on the Supreme Court reflects his deeply ingrained biases. He consistently voted against labor unions, consumer regulations, and social reforms. His decisions, particularly in cases involving Native Americans, revealed a blatant disregard for treaty rights and a belief in the inherent inferiority of minority groups. Notably, he authored the opinion in the 1913 case U.S. v. Sandoval, where he declared Native Americans to be “intellectually and morally inferior,” justifying federal control over their lives.
Van Devanter’s staunch conservatism manifested during the New Deal era, when he joined the “Four Horsemen,” a group of conservative justices who actively opposed President Roosevelt’s progressive reforms. His opposition to minimum wage, child labor laws, and other New Deal initiatives highlights his unwavering commitment to the status quo, even in the face of economic hardship and national crisis.
Despite his desire to retire in 1932, Van Devanter’s decision to remain on the Court was influenced by a congressional decision to cut Supreme Court justice pensions in half. This decision, driven by the desire to save money, resulted in Van Devanter’s continued presence on the Court for five more years, a period marked by his stubborn opposition to any change. Finally, in 1937, he resigned, leaving a legacy of staunch conservatism and a disregard for the rights of minorities and marginalized groups.
Willis Van Devanter’s life and career serve as a cautionary tale about the enduring influence of corporate interests and the danger of unwavering conservatism in the face of social progress. His legacy reminds us that even seemingly impartial institutions like the Supreme Court are susceptible to the influence of power and prejudice, and the need for constant vigilance in ensuring that justice and equality are not sacrificed on the altar of tradition and corporate greed.
First Piper 