The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1906-04-19
Declares Beef Packers Trials at
Chicago Farces.
Refers Sharply to Decision Of Judge
Neutrality-suspicious. Measurably
Near Making Law n Joke.
IMMUNITY SHARPLY CRITICISED

special message delivered to the con-
gress yesterday, President Roosevelt
declares that the result of the recent
trial of the Beef Packers" in Chica-
go was a miscarriage of justice"
aud that the Interpretation placed by
Judge Humphrey on the will of con
gress sis such as to make that will
absolutely abortive."
The message which is most sensa-
tional in character Is based largely
on a letter to the president from At
torney- General Moody in which the
attorney-general reviews the proceed
ings of the case of the government
against the beef packers.
The president says 1t is clear that
no criticism attaches to Commission
err Garfield. as what he did was In
pursuance of a duty imposed on him
by congress. He refers sharply, how
ever, to the decision of Judge Hum
phrey, saying that congress could not
have foreseen such a decision and
that he can hardly believe that the
ruling of Judge Humphrey VIII be
followed by other judges. He de
elares that such Interpretation of IN,
laws as that placed on IL by Judg,
Humphrey comes measurably near
making law a farce" and he recon
menjs that congress pass a deelara-
tory act stating It's real intention.
The president also requests congress
TO confer on the government, by
statute. the same right OF appeal. In
criminal cases, which tho defendant
now enjoys. where the merits Of the
case have not been determined. In
concluding the president says:
"These beef packing cases Offered
one OF the very few instances wher,
there was not only the moral certain.
ty that the accused men were guilty
but what seemed and now seems
sufficient legal evidence of the fact.
but in obedience TO the explicit
order of the congress the commission
of corporations had Investigated the
beef packing business The counsel
for the beef packers explicitly admit
ted that there was no claim that any
p omlse OF immunity had been given
BY Mr. Garfield. as shown by the fol
lowing colloquy during the argument
of tho attorney-general;
Mr.. Moody dismiss almost
with a word the claim that Mr. Gar.
field promised immunity. Whether
there is arr. evidence of such a prom
Use or not | do not know and | dc
not care.
"Mr. Miller, (the counsel for tho
beef packors) There Is no claim
of IT,
MIR Moody Then was mis-
taken and will not even say tina
word.'
But Judge Humphrey holds that
land therefore II the interstate com.
merce commission), in the course OF
any instigations prescribed by con
gress asks any questions of a person
not called as a witness, or asks ans
questions of an officer of a corpora
ton not called as a witness, with re-
gard to the action of the corporation
on subject out OF which prosecu-
tions may subsequently arise. then
the fact of such questions having
been asked operates as a bar to the
prosecution of that person or of that
officer of the corporation for his own
such interpretation OF the
law comes measurably near makdnA
the law farce. and | therefore rec
ommend that the congress pass a de-
claratory act stating Its real inten-
ton"