Mower County transcript., 1908-03-04
JUST AND FEARLESS ANARCHIST IS FOLED TWO BROTHERS DEAD
President Praises Judge Whitley Of
American Court in. China.
no GROUNDS FOR CHARGES
If Jurist Is lmpeached Beneficiaries
Will Be the LaWbreakers Of
the Far East. .

Washington, March 3.-President
Roosevelt's defense OF Lebbeus Will
fey, based on an analytical review by
Secretary Root of the charges against
him, has been made public. The
charges were preferred by Lorrin An
drews and have been repeated by him
before the house committee on judic-
iary as the basis of impeachment pro-
ceedings. They relate to Judge Will
neys administration of the United
States court for China at Shanghai.
After disposing of each of the seven
charges by showing that neither of
them is the proper basis OF criticism
against Judge Whitley Secretary Root
reviews conditions in the foreign
quarter of Shanghai, showing that be-
cause of the heretofore lax American
administration of justice there affairs
had grown disgraceful. Judge Wilaey
was sent there for the express pur-
pose of reversing these conditions.
Secretary Root concludes:
The circumstances thus presented
exhibit a motive for the attempt to
drive Judge Wilfley from his position.
They present strong probability of
misjudgment, exaggeration and dis
tortion OF facts on the part of the law
yers who have personally suffered
from the changed conditions. They
make 1t clear that upon no tr1tling
grounds should our government incur
the public misfortune which would be
involved in putting the stamp of dis
approval on the work for decency and
righteousness that the United States
court for China has done.
"My opinion Is that Judge Wiley
is entitled, not to condemnation, but
to commentator and high credit for
his conduct in office and that the
charges against him should be dis.
missed"
4 President conours In Finding. /.
President Roos evelt's vindication is
contained in letter to Secretary
Root. He first comments that 1t ap-
pears that Congressman Waldo of
New York stands sponsor for. the
charges. @:..~ @
II certainly concur in Sour finding
he continues, (which is to the effect.
that Judge Whitley is not only inno~
cent, but is attacked solely because OF
the fearlessness and integrity with
which he has stamped out vice and
crime in SHANGHAI y.
ut IS clear that Judge Whitley has
been attacked, not because he has
done evil, but because he has done
good. The assault on him is simply
an Impeachment of decency and zeal
for the public good and if successful
would tend to COW every honest public
servant who dared to withstand the
forces banded together for. evil and
would do grave damage to the honor
and integrity of our country in the
Orient. If the attack were to succeed
the beneficiaries would be every keep
er of house of prostitution, every
swindling lawyer, every man who,
lives by blackmail and corruption in
the cities OF the Far East, These are
the people whose hopes have been re-.
vived by the effort to overthrow this
upright and fearless Judge. who has
already done so much for the good of
the name Of America In China. 1t is
not too much to say that this assault
on Judge Wiley in the interest Of the
vicious and criminal classes Is pub
IL eoo~lolp, :.