The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-01-09

withstanding the views of the gentle
man from New York, the private con-
duct of a member OF congress had once
been investigated by secret service
men, but the gentleman from New
York denied even this one and solitary
instance. and stated the investigation
in the case cited had not been male by
a member of the secret service, but by
a police officer of Washington.
Members Were Not Deceived.
We do not think that even the most
timOrOus of congressman could have
been induced by these arguments to
vote in favor of the amendment from
fear that if he voted no 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 1908. The statements
made in newspapers are sometimes
questioned, even at the White House.
The statement contained in the mes
sage that the chief argument in favor
of the provision was that the congress
men did not themselves wish to be in
vestlgated, can have bot one meaning
1t means that congress voted for the
measure from an improper motive. ANY
congressman whose vote can be deter
mined by unwillingness to have his
own conduct investigated by secret SER
vice men, or by any other men. must
surely be in fear of the law. If it was
believed that a majority of this boCv
were IN fear that their acts might be
investigated and their crime discovered.
the respect of the people. which il is
Important for the republic that con-
gTess should possess. would be i'm
paired, if not destroyed.
Dangerous Precedent.
1t is dangerous to the republic that
a large portion of our people should
have their confidence shaken in the
judges who interpret the laws: equally
dangerous that their confidence should
be impaired in those who enact the
laws. and it is for this reason that the
duty devolves upon the lawmakers not
to allow the integrity of their motives
70 be lightly questioned. We may be
sure that no legislative body will be re-
spected by the people unless it respects
itself. We are Jealous of the honor of
the nation; We should be equally
Jealous of the honor of our institutions.
Doubtless in the congress are some
times found unit and dishonest men.
but | believe that with few exceptions
the body is composed of men of in
tegrity. whose vote is determined. not
by fear of the police but by an honest
regard for the public service. If the
time should come when a majority Of
the chosen representatives of the Amer
lean people were so unfit for their
trust that their votes were controlled
by craven fear of the detection of
their crimes. then surely the republic
viii have come upon evil days and the
failure of popular government be dem
Onstrated.
Honest Men Sent to Congress.
''The people of this country have sent
their representatives to the congress.
Many of them have for long years been
reelected at the polls or the legisla-
lures. We do not believe = popular
government and univers 1ge are
such lamentable failures hat dishon-
est, cOwaTdly or unfit men are chosen
to continue in office. In this matter
we stand not only for ourselves but for
those who sent US here. The impeach-
ment of those who are chosen is the
Impeachment Of those who choose.
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. be thing to
be deplored, as result of any unfOr-
tunate inadvertence of language, any
untoward combination of words, ex-
pressions should remain in his MESA sc
which might be interpreted by the PEG
pie as lessening the dignity and there
by weakening the authority of the con-
gress.
Offensive Words of Roosevelt.
1T is said in the message that Grim
inals should be prosecuted if found in
the legislative branch of the govern
ment. and with this we wholly agree.
But the president adds, If this is not
considered desirable, special excep-
ton could be made in the law prohibit
ing the use of secret service officerssin
investigating members of congress. In
other words, il is suggested that we
pass a law which viii facilitate the Cx-
posture OF other criminals but will pro-
tect ourselves. If a majority of the
congress stand in favor Of the exposure
of their misdeeds, they would be ready
to vote for such a law, but such is not
the case. and against it we must pro-
test. If congress listens tamely and
timidly to reflections upon the char
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