The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-12-16
DO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
FEAR INVESTIGATION?

The great length of President
R~oosevelt's last annual message 70
congress discourages an attempt to
fully digest all the matters presented,
but there is one portion of the docu-
ment thai deserves public attention.
1t refers to legislation enacted by
congress last year which provided
that there should be no detail from
transfer therefrom. In discussing the
effect of this legislation, the presi-
dent says in part:
at is not Toe much to say that this
amendment has been of benefit only,
and could be Of benefit only, to the
criminal classes. If deliberately in
PRODUCED for the purpose of diminish
ing the effectiveness of war against
crime it could not have been better
devised to this end. 1t forbade the
practices that had been followed to a
greater or less extent by the executive
heads of various departments for 20
years. To these practices we owe
the securing of evidence which en-
abled us to drive great lotteries out
OF business and secure a quarter of
a million Of dollars in fines from
their promoters. These practices have
enabled u. to discover some of the
most outrageous frauds in connection
with the theft OF government land and
timber by great corporations
and by individuals. These practices
have enabled US to get some evidence
Indispensable in order to secure the
conviction or the wealthiest and most
formidable criminals with whom the
government has to deal.
The chief argument ia favor of the
provision was tina, the congressman
did not themselves wish to be investi-
ed by secret service men. Very little
of such investigation has been done in
the past: but it is true that the work
OF secret service agents was partly re.
sponsible for the indictment and con-
ASti't Va q 'NIuLoI uld Il tbuSIcSS'
man for land frauds in Oregon. | do
not believe that i, is in the public in
crest to protect criminals in any
oraach Of the public service. and eX-
actly "a we have again and again
during the past seven years prose-
cuted such criminals who were in the |
executive branch of the government,
so ia my belief we should be given
ample means TO prosecute them ii
found in the Legislative branch. But
If this il not considered desirable a
special exception could be made in
the law prohibiting the use of the Sc
crot service force in investigating
members of the congress-
In this arraisnment of members of
congress, the president will be sup
ported by public sentiment. Our
senators and representatives are sub
ject to the law, and any wrong doing
in which they may engage should be
investigated and punished. The en-
actment OF Il law that will operate to
protect them from the consequences of
any crime is Il trick that will not be
sanctioned by the decent citizenship
OF the country.
The cause of good government will
BE- advanced by holding all our public
officials to strict accountability for
their conduct at all times. a search
ing investigation Of the record of
federal, state, county and municipal
officers on any occasion that may call
for such proceedings would be of
benefit to the public at large. The hon
est aud capable public employee would
welcome such an investigation, as an
opportunity to demonstrate his in
nocance Of wrong doing. Crooked
Ant dishonest officials would oppose
such action, because of their fear of
detection, punishment and disgrace.