The Washington times., 1907-12-22
Organized Campaign
to ObstruCt and Dis
credit Prosecution
of the Rich Male
factors.
Warns Against EleC-
ton of Corporation
Man as Next preSi-
dent of the
Nation.

CHICAGO, Dec. 21.-Appearing as
the personal representative Of Pres
ident Roosevelt, but declaring that
he spoke solely upon his own re-
sPonsibility, Attorney General Bona
parte, in a speech delivered tonight
before the Illinois Athletic Club,
openly charged that the people were
being hoodwinked into the belief,
that the Administration was en-
gagged in prosecuting reputable cap
tains Of industry" instead of at
tempting to prosecute -rich male
factors"
I believe" he exclaimed, that a
widespread, persistent. systematic,
and unserupuIous attempt to deceive
the people as 10 these things has
been in progress during the entire
official life OF the present national
Administration, and is in progress
today"
Opposed to Prosecution.
He said that as O. result OF his e,-ne-
--~--~N a. -ANNe- -ANg GrlAEE&As ne mas
that some people think, or talk and
write" as though they thought thar
there existed today the old English
custom OF 'bensht OF cler,rv-r whereby
rich culprits escape punishment.
In the Eastern States he ex-
claimed. any enforcement OF Federal
statutes forbidding conspiracies in re-
straint Of trade or fsvoritIsm By COM
mon carriers. is greeted by chorus OF
walls. an 'unssttling business and
breeding or keeping alive panics
In certain Western and SO1thwesteru
states the prosecution OF men who havo
acquired vast tracts OF public lands
through fraud Snd perjury. in pIaIa
violation OF the law and with enormous
profit 10 themselves, is fisrcely de-
nounceo as a persecution OF prominent
and public-spirited citizens
Finally, IN some Southern States. at
tempts 20 bring to punishment under
the laws CT the United States forbid
ding peonage those who virtually en-
slave helpless negroes and no less help
less foreigners. provoke n like outcry.
Sophistry and Falsehood.
''In all these cases alike the idea IN
oer,yins the complaint. an idea often
more or less concealed BY sOphistrv ana
falsehood IS that laws are not really
intended 10 be really obeyed BY some
people"
The Attorney General charged that
such a person didn't OBJECT 10 a show
OF enforcing law, but insisted that he
should go unpunished II he could rrove
that he was rich and inauential-a
captain OF industry" or a generals
simo Of finance" or at least a leading
citizen"
He declared that trusts. by operating
in some cases as independents. cyni.allv
make profits out of their own unpopu-
lartty. II think there is reason TO De-
AeVe-' ne continued, that certain or
gans Of public opinion, perhaps under
the like guidance, pursue a sinlilsr tor
tuous poicyj tney seek 10 Ohstruct the
execution OF the laws By venemeutIy
ana perpetually demanding iuppssibiIi-
ties Of those charged with their execu-
ton"
Sounds a Warning.
Mr. Bonaparte sounded A note Of warn
ing, considered by some OF his hearers
TO 0e inspired by the White House.
Just now" he exclaimed. "the deni-
zens OF hat great sheep fold. the
American Union. are beginning 20 turn
OF choosing a head watch dog to guard
them for four long years.
Il cannot help thinking It may aid
them in this weighty task to establish.
first Of all. a negative test Of fitness;
Whatever applicant for the job is view
ed with particular favor by the wolves.
may be well left in his home kennel.
Wolves can be trusted TO know what
they want and 10 want what the sheep
don't want
In palmer language. no man can
be safely trusted 10 take care thar
the laws be faithfully executed II his
choice bo lOnged for and urged by an
or many of those who have obstructed
the faithful execution OF the same laws
in the past. and whose Influences and
resources are formidable obstacles TO
their faithful execution today
He maintained that as long as laws
were IN force. even a whisper that their
execution be suspended or abandoned
because IL is hurtfui to any interest or
displeasing TO any men. hints perjury.
and disloytalty TO public servants $50
challenges the supremacy OF the Ameri-
pam people over its own Government"