The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-01-08
SHOE P|NCHED WHEN He REFERRED To
MEMBERS FEARING AN INVESTIGATION
Committee Claims the Message Reflection on the Honor
and lnterity of the Members of the House and Was
Therefore Laid on the Table

opposing the amendment, stated that
we all knew, as lawyers, that we were
not federal officers; that we were COM
ponent members of the government
and there was no one over US. Then
the gentleman from Kentucky said,
notwithstanding the views of the gen.
tleman from New York, the private
conduct of member of congress had
once been investigated by secret SER
vice men but the gentleman from
New York denied even this one and
solitary instance and stated the inves-
tigation in the case cited, had not
been made by member of the secret
service, but by police officer of
Washington.
Eve don't think that the most
timorous of congressman could have
been induced by these arguments to
vote in favor of the amendments for
fear that If he voted mo- the secret
service might ferret out his secret
sins.
Nor does it seem that statements
! made in 1904. even by a newspaper re-
porter, are convincing evidence of the
motive which actuated congressman
| In their votes in 1905 The statements
AAS%uo AL newspapers dlC
questioned even at the white house.
Stands on Dignity
THE statement contained in the
message that the chief argument in
favor of the provision was that the
congressman themselves did not wish
to be investigated can have but one
meaning. It means that congress
voted for the measure from an I'M
proper motive. ANY congressman
whose vote can be determined by un-
willingness to have his own conduct
Investigated by secret service men,
or by any other men, must surely be
in favor of law. If it was believed
that a majority of this body were in
fear that their acts might be investi-
gated and their crimes discovered,
the respect of the people, which it is
important for the republic that con-
gress should possess, would be i'm
paired, If not destroyed.
1T Is dangerous to the republic that
large portion of our people should
have their confidence shaken in the
judges who interpret the law; it is
equally dangerous that their conf
dence should be impaired in those who
| enact the laws, and it is for this rea-
son that the duty evolves upon the
, lawmakers not to allow the integrity
'of their motives to be lightly ques-
; toned. We may be sure that no exc
cutive body will be respected by the
people, unless it respects itself. We
, are jealous of the honor of the ma
ton; we should be equally Jealous of
the honor of our institutions.
tn {I0
sometimes found unfit and dishonest
men. but believe that with few ex-
ceptions the body is composed of men
Eof integrity, whose vote is determined
not by fear Of the police. but by an
honest regard for the public service
If the time should ever come when a
majority of the chosen representatives
of the American people were so unfit
for their trust that their votes were
controlled by craven fear of the de-
lection of their crimes, then surely
the republic will have come upon
evil days and the feature of popular
government will he demonstrated.
THE people of this country have
sent their representatives to congress.
Many of them have for long years
been reelected at the polls or by leg
islatures. We do not believe that
popular government and universal
suffrage are such lamentable failures
that dishonest, cowardly or unfit men
are chosen to continue in office. In
this matter we stand not only for our
selves. but for those who sent us here.
The Impeachment of those who are
chosen is the Impeachment OF those
who chose
THE president says that no one
holds the dignity of the congress of
the United States in higher regard
than he does. 1t would therefore he
a thing to be deplored if. as a result