The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-11
Senator CuIberson Objects TO
ROOSeveIt'S Choice For At
torney General Because of
Trust Views.
SENATOR KNOX RISES TO
APPOINTEE'S DEFENSE.
Admits That Bonaparte For
merIy Objected to Trust
Legislation But Like Many
Others Has Changed.
tPublisher.' Press.I

Washington, d. c., Dec. 10--To the
great surprise of Senators, the con-
firmation of Secretary of the Navy
Bonaparte as attorney general, was
opposed this afternoon, shortly after
he Senate doors were closed for the
consideration of large batch of NOM
nations.
Earlier in the day the judiciary
committee held a meeting at which
the nominations of Mr.. Moody to be
In associate justice of the supreme
court and of Mr.. Bonauarte to be his
Iuccessor were unanimously ordered
favorably reported.
Mr.. Knox, who was instructed to
report the nominations did 50 as soon
hs the doors were closed. He asked
Unanimous consent for their immed-
ate confirmation. To his constern-
ltion, Senator Culbertson called at
ention to some utterances made by
.fr. BOnaparte during a speech deliv-
bred at Chicago, in September 1899,
1t conference held to consider the
est method of dealing with the trust
problem, which at that time was be-
foming a permanent issue.
Against Trust Legislation.
The first extract read, quoted Mr..
Bonaparte as declaring emphatically
kgainst trust legislation and saying:
Our public men with, I need not
Jay, some honorable exceptions,) are
wholly unfit to deal with any such
natter. The attempt will be highly
Remoralizing to all concerned, and
|he practical result, Except in the
|evy of blackmaiD altogether mega
Iory."
Mr.. Culbertson indicated an inten-
ion towards determined opposition.
/ Is this a fit man to be given the po-
iition of attorney general of the Unit
I'd States and charged with enforc-
ing the various drastic antitrust acts
Pn the statute books?'' he asked
Combination Was Inevitable.
He read another extract which
uoted Mr.. Bonaparte as declaring
hat the tendency of combination was
n inevitable feature of modern civil
ghtened country could escape, ''and
Fhich has force in proposition to
Rach country's freedom and enlight-
hent." Mr.. Bonaparte said that it did
lot follow that he regarded combi-
ations as a good thing. Il am not,
4owever, prepared to say read Mr..
Fulberson from the speech of Mr..
that this tendency is
armful; 1t has good side and bad
|ide, and there is less reason to make
p our minds as to It's merits, because
Yhatever we may think. we cannot
|revent. except at the price of liberty
| nd civilization.
Had Change Of Heart.
Senator Knox explained that Mr.
Bonaparte had had a complete |
|hange of heart, if the speech quoted |
Igainst him was correct. and he as
fumed the Senator that the proposed |
cad of the department of justice I
gas heartily in accord with all the I
administrations policies for restrain
hg unlawful combinations, and that I
Ie would do all possible to make /
phese policies and the laws of con-
Iress effective.
There was some amusement caused /
" several senators declaring that I
fery few public men have not chang /
ID their views in the past few years.
The discussion was ended by Mr..
Teller invoking the rule that upon OBJ
lection, all reports on nominations
|hould go over one day.
Would Support Intervention.
In the open session of the Senate,
resolution was introduced by Mr..
lodge. and at his request referred 70
he Committee on Foreign Relations.
living assurances to the President
bat any intervention to stop the at
pcities in the Congo Free States
fould receive the cordial support of
he Senate.
A resolution introduced by Mr..
fulberson, calling for further infor-
fation relative to pprevious rioting
" the three companies of negro
loops. recently dismissed from the
fmy was adopted.