MEDDLING ASHCROFT

The words and actions of Attorney General John Ashcroft can always be
counted on to promote debate and discussion. But in directing U.S.
attorneys nationwide to start reporting on federal judges who impose
lighter sentences than called for in federal sentencing guidelines,
Ashcroft might have precipitated a national discussion on prison
sentences and especially on ''mandatory minimum'' sentences for
certain offenses.

Such discussion is long overdue.

Ashcroft's order does not threaten judicial independence directly,
though it does include a directive to make sure the government is
prepared to appeal more light sentences, and to centralize such
decisions in Washington. But it is a blatant attempt to intimidate
federal judges into imposing heavier sentences, even when such
sentences offend their sense of justice or knowledge of mitigating
facts.

The founders gave us an independent judiciary to withstand just this
sort of attempted meddling by the executive and the legislative
branches. But some in Washington are showing a disturbing willingness
to upset that balance.