The Washington times., 1906-04-22
PRESIDENT CHAFFS
]. HAMILTON LEWIS
Thought He Was in Jail,
Roosevelt Said.
ATTORNEY TALKS PLAINLY
Considers Speech About Muck Rake a
'Hurtful Public Utterance";-Calls
Executive a Democrat.

J. Hamilton Lewis, corporation counsel
Of the city OF Chicago, who is in Wash
ington on business before the United
States Supreme Court. paid his respects
TO the President yesterday. The Presi-
dent ioked Mr.. Lewis about his recent
experience with United States Judge
Humphrey, who haled the corporation
counsel before him on contempt proceed
ings, and sentenced him to sixty days In
Jail unless he withdrew certain allega-
tIons contained in a bill in equity filed
in the State courts.
When Mr.. Lewis walked in the Presi-
dent said:
Hello. Lewis! I thought you were IN
Jail"
Theoretically, only, Mr. President"
smilingly answered the suave Lewis.
Gets Another Shot.
Turning TO Attorney General Moody.
who happened TO be present, the Presi-
dent said:
This is the first time / ever knew
Lewis to be theoretically correct"
Mr.. Lewis said he was greatly inter
ested in the Presidents recent speech,
''The Man with the Muck-Rake." He
was displeased and at the same time
pleased with it. He declared without
hesitation that he believed that part
of the Presidents speech Condemning
criticism of public officials to be one of
the most hurtful utterances ever made
by him.
'In my opinion" he said. "the Presi-
dents speech upon the muck-rake. com
ing from the highest authority, had a
hurtful effect upon the free spirit of
criticism. 1t is this free spirit of criti-
h-c- 1ad r-fr 70
dishOnesties and public infamies.
Presidents Part.
THE President himself was the man
who initiated the policy of public criti-
cism of private theft and public in
fanny. The results, it is true, redounded
severely upon many OF the leaders of
the party the President represents. His
rate speech will now be construed as a
signal to the lesser ones to cease criti-
cising. and stop the Investigations lest
Il should injure the prospects of the Re
publican party.
Therefore. 1 regard e as the most
hurtful TO general public interests OF
all his utterances."
What do you think Of the proposition
to tax inheritances. referred to by tht
President Mr.. Lewis was asked.
hOOSeNelI OenOCIaI-
1.-The President. as has been his Gus
tom since he has been in Office" replied
Mr.. Lewis, was again indorsing tn,
platforms OF the Democratic party. All
income tax is necessary as it is Just
The President takes the American stant
in approving TIE policy. which is neces
sary TO proper system of revenue Z
the country, and a Just restraint upOl
the passing of fortunes to the idler.
For myself, I stand for the doctrin
that allows the greatest personal compe
uuon of the achievements Of the mind
and in the accomplishments OF indus
try. 1 would not manacle either o
these. I would encourage the creates
amount OF honest accumulation 70 tn.
Individual 1 would pass and enforce tn
most drastic laws making II criminal 70
those who would use these fortunes 70
base and dishonorable purposes.
What this country needs is, not s.
much new laws, to enforce equality O
opportunity, but men In judicial posi-
tions who will enforce with equality tn
laws Of punishment and Justice. Tb
rest will work itself out"