Free The Court by William J. Coughlin Page A

Electoral College. He’s of the opinion that the withdrawl of the states defeated the proposed amendment. This case is of the greatest importance to him.”
    â€œAnd to the White House,” Alexander added softly.
    Floyd Grant looked away. “Yes. I understand it is.”
    â€œSo you’re asking that I influence Howell, should he return, to vote to sustain the Electoral College?”
    Grant looked at him, his eyes narrowed slightly. “If you choose to put it that way, yes.”
    â€œAnything else?”
    â€œBen, I detect a note of disapproval in your tone. Remember, nothing illegal is being requested.”
    â€œWhat about ethics?”
    â€œNothing unethical either. You’ve seen the horse trading that goes on here. My God, man, the Supreme Court is no better than an Arab bazaar when it comes to buying and selling. No money changes hands, of course, but the currency here is the field of interest. For instance, there’s a reverse discrimination case coming on.”
    â€œThe one about the policemen.”
    â€œYes. The Chief obtained one of the votes to keep the Electoral College by bargaining his vote for reverse discrimination, so to speak.”
    â€œYou mean you would like me to persuade Justice Howell to vote for the affirmative action quota system?”
    â€œYes. It would help firm up the vote on the Electoral College case. After all, Ben, what great harm does it do? A few white cops lose their jobs. A few blacks are hired to take their place. It’s no big deal.”
    â€œBut it sets up a racial quota system, a change that could eventually fragment our society.”
    Grant took the pipe from his mouth and grinned. “Come on, Ben. If things get out of hand, the Court will just change them back. Meanwhile, it may prevent another riot or two.”
    â€œAnd the quota decision will protect the Electoral College.”
    Grant nodded.
    â€œWhat else?”
    â€œThat newspaper case, the one about the state law providing damages for written negligence. It’s a First Amendment issue.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œThat’s really a personal thing with the Chief. You know how he likes to stick it to the media whenever he can.”
    â€œIs that decision essential?”
    Grant shrugged and tapped out his pipe. “Essential? No, I think not. It would be nice though. It would give those newspaper bastards something to think about. If it can be done, fine. But if not, the Chief won’t be greatly disappointed.”
    â€œHow about the rational suicide case?”
    Grant smiled. “The Chief will vote to uphold the nun’s conviction. But who cares? He doesn’t. People are knocking themselves off right and left, and in rather messy ways. So it might serve a purpose if it were organized. It would be much neater. He feels this one could go either way. As I say, he really doesn’t care.”
    â€œSo I only have to be concerned about the Electoral College and the discrimination case?”
    â€œYes.”
    Ben Alexander thought about how Justice Howell might approach the problems. What was being requested really wasn’t that far from Howell’s basic thinking. If he didn’t agree, Alexander knew he would find himself slaving for a petulant, harassing woman. And if he did go along … well, he had been taken to the top of the mountain and shown the wonders of the future.
    â€œIf Justice Howell returns, and should he seek my advice, I will be glad to urge the two positions,” Alexander said, his voice almost a whisper.
    Grant beamed. “It’s a complicated world, Ben. Maybe that isn’t the way it should be, but we have to take things as we find them, right? I’ll convey your position to the Chief. He’ll be delighted.” Grant stood up and put the pipe in his jacket pocket. “I’ll have to take one of your clerks for her ladyship. There’s no other way. But if your boss comes back