The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-22

personal representative of President
Roosevelt but declaring that he spoke
solely upon his own responsibility. At
torney General Bonaparte. in a speech
delivered tonight before the Illinois Ath-
letic CLUB, openly charged that the peo-
pie were being hoodwinked into the be-
lief that the administration was engaged
IN prosecuting reputable captains of in
dustry" instead Of attempting to prose-.
cute 'rich malefactors."
4 believe" be exclaimed. that a wide
spread. persistent systematic, and un-
scrupUlous attempt to deceive the people
as TO these things has been in progress
during the entire official life Of the pres
ent national administration, and Is in
progress to-day"
Decries Public Attitude.
He said that as a result of his expert
ence as Attorney General. he finds that
some people think, or talk and write as
though they thought that there existed
to-day the old English custom of benefit
Of clergy," whereby rich cuIprits escape
punishment.
In the Eastern States.' he said. ANY
enforcement of Federal statutes forbid
ding conspiracies in restraint of trade or
1avoritism by common carriers. is greet
ed by chorus of walls. as 'unsettIinr
business and breeding or keeping alive
panics.
In certain Western and Southwestern
states the prosecution OF men who have
acquired vast tracts Of public lands
through fraud and peurjury. in plain vio-
iation of the law. and with enormous
profit TO themselves. is fierceIy denounced
as "A persecution of prominent and public
spirited citizens Finally. in some South
ern States attempts 10 bring TO punish
ment; under the laws of the United
States forbidding peonage. those who viz
tually enslave helpless negroes ana No
cutlery.
Laws should Be Obeyed.
In all these cases alike the idea IN
derlying the complaint-an idea often
more or less concealed by sopbistrv and
talsehood-is that laws are not really
intended TO be Obeyed by some people. -
lie charged that such a person didn't
object to a show OF enforcing law. but
insisted that he should 90 unpublished If
be could prove that he were rich and in
huential-a captain Of industry or q
generalissimo Of finance" or at least a
leading citizen"
He declared that trusts. by operating in
some cases as independents. cvnicauv
make profit out Of their own unpopularitv
thlnk there IS reason to believe" he
continued that certain organs Of nuI,IIc
ff-frn dor sr.g
pursue similar tOrtuous policy. they
seek to obstruct the execution OF the
laws by vehemently and perpetuallv de-
handing impossibilities of those charged
with their execution"
Sounds Warning Note.
He sounded a note Of warning con-
sidered 10y some Of his hearers IN no a.
spired by the White House.
Just now" he exclaimed. the deni-
zens Of that great sheep fold. the Ameri- |
can Union. are beginning to turn their
thoughts to the grave problem Of choos-
ing a head watchdog to guard them for
four long years. I cannot help thinking
II may aid them in this weighty task 10
establish first Of all. a negative test Of
fitness.
Whatever applicant for the job is
viewed with particular favor by the
wolves may be well left in his home
kennel Wolves can be trusted to know
what they want, and TO want what the
sheep don't want
IN palmer language, no man can be
safely trusted 10 take care that the laws
be faithfully executed If his choice be
longed for and urged by all 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 exc
cution to-day"
He maintained that as long as laws
were in force. even a whisper that their
execution be suspended or abandoned he
cause II is hurtful to any interest or dis /
pleasing TO any men, hints perjury and
aisioyaIty to public servants. and chal- /
lenges the supremacy of the American
people over its own government"
Pictures the Candidate,
Attorney General Bonaparte today told |
the leaders of the Republican partv ,n
Illinois what kind of a man they should /
select for their candidate for President
Coupled with his suggestions, he made
the prediction that the nominee. whoever
he might be. would be elected.
Bonaparte's word picture of the man
might apply as readily to President
Roosevelt as Secretary Taft. II wes
taken TO exclude Gov Hughes and ali
others who are not the avowed chamn,ons
Of Roosevelt's antitrust policies. Mr.
Bonaparte, in a heart to heart talk ar
luncheon with the financiers and political
leaders at the Hamilton Club. said:
Must Follow Roosevelt.
The nation needs a man who will
carry out the principles Of the present
The affairs OF the nation
demand strong. sagacious leader. who
will curb, without destroying. the great
interests, and. at the same time, promote
legislation TO meet the dernands
Of the people
Inc ideal candidate should be ono who
VIII execute the plans already started nv
PRESIDENT Roosevelt II the nation sbo,,Id
elect an Executive having other prIn-
;iples, It Will make a mistake when r,,s
taxes may become grave blunders."
MI, Bonaparte refused 10 say whom he
nad IN mind. i came here with the ex
pressed determination not TO make knou,,
the maine of the man who is best fried
to MI the next term as Chief Executive -
he said.
Death of Mr. Strylxer.
Francis r SfrvIyav az o., e.