The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-12-13
POLITICAL ASPECT
Republicans Worrying About the
consequences of Confirmation.
From The Journal Bureau, Room IS, Post

hepubA1cAnS Worrying About the
consequences of Confirmation.
From The journal Bureau, Roons IS, POsi
Building, Washington.
Washington, va, 13.-To-morrow is the
last day which tne) antitrust people, who
are opposing tho confirmation Of Attorney
General Knox, will have for filing their
statements with the senate committee On
judiciary. They hope to show the com
mittee that Mr. Knox for years has been
trusted emplOye of some of the great
est trust magnates in the United States,
and that he had an active part in the for
nation of the billion-dollar steel trust,
and is in sympathy with corporate infiu-
ences by reason OF long association and
training. They also will try to show that
he still keeps up his active connection
with the legal firm in Pittsburg, of which
he has been a member for years, and
that he goes to Pittsburg every Friday
night, returning to Washington the fol-
lowing Tuesday morning, in time for the
cabinet meeting on that day. This Pitts
burg firm, it is claimed, is still actively
engaged as counsel for trust interests and
great corporations; and this being the
case, Mr.. Knox, 1t will be pointed out.
is not a proper man to represent the
legal branch Of the general government at
time when trusts are an issue and are
likely to get into the courts.
IL - udIuly pIOUdUL0 luaC C06 COQ1lrmd-
tion can be prevented. Senator Hoar,
chairman Of the judiciary committee. it
is understood, favors it, but yielded to
the antitrust people as a matter of cour-
tesy. The committee, he says, is already
prepared to vote for confirmation. OF
course, should the showing to be made by
the opposition be Of more serious char
acter than the committee anticipates.
there may be trouble, for several demo-
cratic senator's, anxious to emphasize the
trust issue in all possible ways, have said
that they would oppose confirmation
should the evidence justify it. 1t is up
to the antitrust people, therefore, to
make strong case.
The fact that a cabinet appointment has
been held up for so long time is very
unusual, and of itself will attract atten-
tion in the next campaign, should Mr..
Knox be confirmed. The democrats are
determined to make trusts one of their
principal campaign cries next year, and
this Knox matter comes along at a time
when it will do them the most good. The
confirmation of Mr.. Knox will not add
to the strength of the republican party
in any of the middle west states. where
the campaign will be hot next year. Said
prominent congressman to-day
L have no personal feeling in this case bu1
as republican, and representing a close
district, I regret that it has come up.
ASPAcsenI sIdIe WHICH mas Deen deeply
.ttrred by the Northern Securities company
merger, and should Knox be confirmed my
reelection difficulties will be increased
Should the department of justice, with Mr.
Knox it's head, be called on next year
or the year after to prosecute the trust or-
ganizations Of the country, its work will b.,
watched with suspicio.4 ~ the public Mu,h
of it, while perhaps honestly and lmpartia "
performed, will be discradited The attorney
general could hardly pursue an Impartial
course and receive popular approval Thu
reople would mfsfnterLret his every oficia
act, and in case of the governments defeat
hold him to blame. l should not care to be
placed in such a position, and 1 Go not SO,
what there be IN 1T that will add any,
| thing to Mr. Knox's reputation as a lawyer.
w. w. Jermane