The St. Louis Republic., 1903-12-15
GOOD FAITH AT HOME.

resolution, such us Congressman Eandiver pro
poses asking President Roosevelt to use his friend
" Offices with Governor Odell locking toward the
extradion Of Mr.. Zieger, would, at least serve the
purpose Of testing Mr. Rcoseyelts deeper sincerity
In matters Of reform. 1t would give him an oppor.
tunity to show the real q'alry OF his Interest.
Mr.. Roosevelt has exhibited . lively concern for
which he is to be universally commended, in the
matter OF international extraditions II the Kratz
especially the Presidents interested interven-
ton has been most effective Negotiations pend
ing, and are thought TO be matured, with England
and France, tile results of which may further re-
fleet credit upon our executive.
Mr.. Roosevelt has declared, in language which
has famisr ring, that it should be the policy OF
the United States to leave no place earth where
a fugitive boodler rest in pcace-and Mr.. Zles-
er because of certain technical restrictions thrown
about the exercise of interstate comfy in such mat
er has found security and tranquility in the Com
monwealth of New York. After an extended exam
iltion an inquiry into not merely the substantial
merits but also the retinemens and bubbles of the
case Governor Odeu has discovered peg upon
which he can hang refusal TO eNtradite.
1t Is plainly within the province of the Governor
to reopen the case. The surrender of fugitive is
an exercise Of sovereignty. just as there is no law
to compel such surrender by the Governor. SO is
there no law 10 prevent the Governors slrrendcring
him even after hearing and after refusal. to
prevent rchcaring if the Governor desires. The
exercise of sovereignty in such cases is based upon
conity-which is indefnable fiction cytraneous
to the law-but is not governed by comfy. The rules
of comfy which ordinarily apply its exercise have
been dispensed with on memorable occasions.
Mr.. Roosevelts influence with Mr.. Odell should
be strong Their relationship of late has become
of political intimacy and personal friendliness. No
two men in politics are conspcuously "close
to- each other. Within few weeks their relations
have been the more cernented Surely if, rs is
monty asserted Ziegler is shielding himself behind
political influences, Mr.. Roosevelt might properly
ert his own political influence in the behalf of JUS
tice
But, in any event, there would be no less propre
ty in exhibiting keen personal concern for the
render of Zegler than in infusing strong person
alty into the negotiations for the Mexican treaty
1t goes without saying that the people of this nation
would not question the correctness of the Presi-
dents in the that he deemed it best 70
put forth his friendly offices in pursuance of his
proclaimed principle of rigorous and universal jus
tce
Congressman Vandiver is right in asserting thai
the best evidence of good faith Mr.. Roosevelts
part would be exertion of his power where il
could do the most goOd-at home.
If international e1traditon is to be made effec
lively beneficial from the standpoint of the United
States there must be effective interstate eNtradition
If the comfy tacit agreement upon which this
rests admits Of such narrowly technical construction
as Governor Odel placed upon it in determining the
Ziegler matter, then there viii be no Necessity for
fight much beyond the borders of an indicted ind
viduals own State; and, rs for New York. it would
be as great a haven for fugitives s Tanger
"Extradition" Of the New York kind makes farce
of justice and would tend to impart Pickwickian
flavor TO the presidential pronuncamento in the
event that Mr.. Roosevelt exhibited no special inter
est in q at home In which his opportunities ara
exceptional 1t is to be hoped that Con-
grcssman Vandiver will speedily present the resou-
ton.