New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-11
mr.. KNOX AND THE SENATE.

Attornav General Knox we'll deserves the
honor which has come to him in his appoint
Ilent 10 the United States Senate, and Penhs!l-
yania IS 10 be congratulated on obtaining rep
resentative OF his high character and aohlE'
Mr. Knox is one OF the men who nave DecoIhe
prominent in public life distinctly on thei'
merits not as politicians, but as OF tle
larger problems Of craftsmanship. BEFORE ne
vos known I'm politics at all he had established
himself IN a first rate position as aW9er
His selection Cor the post OF Attorney Generai
was n surprise TO politicians. but President Nc
I[inley who lived not far across the ONO border
from Pittshurg had become acquainted Win
The power of this modest Pennsylvania lawyer
and knew that he would be at once a safe au-
wiser and an efficient administrator of the legal
affairs Of the government.
The principal question which Attorney zen
eral Knox has had to deal with in office has
leen the regulation OF trusts HIS WORK III inns
field has been marked by energy. and Mt the
same time by conservatism lie is the first man
who has ever accomplished anything of serious
consequence in the enforcement Of the anti
trust law When he took office the impression
was abroad that the law amounted TO nothing
and the country was full of talk about the i'm
possibility OF reaching combinations by any
statute and the need of constitutional amend
ments Before long Mr.. Knox surprised the
public with n declaration of faith in the ade-
oracy of the antitrust and interstate commerce
laws 10 abate many supposedly intrenched
abuses When the attempt was made 10 com
Line the Great Northern and Northern Pa
cifc railroads by n device clever that 1t
seemed as if it must succeed, the Attorney Gen
eral demonstrated the sOundness OF his concep-
ton Of federal powers, and his victory marks
an epoch in the moulding of our institutions in
conformity with the development OF the bust
ness which II is the duty of government 10 reGu-
late and protect. His work made manifest an
adequacy OF law to deal with emergencies which
had not been generally suspected. He put and
is still putting 10 the test questionable practices
Of corporations which have too often been al
lowed To pass unchallenged, and he has done it
with an ability which has been more than a
match for able lawyers expert in the arts OF
legal evasion.
Mr.. Knox VIII be a decided acquisition 10 the
Republican strength in the Senate He IS thor
Oughly familiar and in sympathy with the poll
cies of the administration. He las broad views
snd large knowledge. and is likely 10 have great
influence both in committee and debate. For
the first time in many years Pennsylvania will
have a representative IN the Senate who VIII
be more concerned with measures of general
interest than with the machinery of practical
politics
We note that some Of our Democratic friends
already have a grievance because he is going TO
remain in the Cabinet until the meeting Of Con-
eress in December. We cannot wonder, for they
are hard up and nothing is too petty for them.
II happens, however, that until the Senate meets
Mr. Knox will be absolutely functionless, so
far as the duties of the new office go. He has
been appointed Senator, but he cannot take
the oath and act as a Senator until Congress
meets. Ought he 10 go home or into a nunnery
on 0tf 10 no rrffa
which he so admirably performs? We do not
think that II would be wise for anybody I'm this
cay 20 follow the example OF John Marshall
and act as Chief Justice and Secretary of State
AZ the same time. though he was able in 1901
10 discharge fully all the duties of both Offices
Neither do we think II decent for a man TO
neglect tie duties of one Office for the sake Of
hanging on to another, David Il. Hill did
when he left his chair at Washington vacant for
weeks 10 retain the GOyernOrship OF New-Yor
and manipulate the theft OF the State LegisIat-
ure. II is quite different thing. however. for
a person designated TO fill an office 10 go on
with the work at which he is engaged until the
time for the discharge of his new duties arrives
but, of course, the Attorney Generals acting on
that principle is only another instance OF Roose-
gelt's "lawlesSness''!