The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-15

| derStood,s however tllat tllc Aihiiiiei
man downward revision shall not be
like that which Mr.. Taft and his
Cabinet are sitting up of nights now
to defend against the rising tide OF
popular Indignation.
=---=--====:===45=-=
TAFT AND THE SUGAR TRUST
CASE.
The President has decided that he
Will not furnish information to the
House on the sugar fraud cases, ana
that he will oppose any attempt on the
part OF Congress to begin a legislative
investigation of the corruption shown
in the customs service by the dis-
closures Of last fall. This decision
was reached at n White House Con-
ference held Wednesday between the
President. Henry j.. Stimson who has
charge Of the prosecution, Collector
Loeb. of New York, and officers Of
the Treasury Department. These men
were agreed that the case against the
sugar trust was progressing satis-
factorily, and all seemed to think that
the Governments prosecution would
be seriously weakened If the facts Sc
cured by the government agents We're
given out in a spectacular legislative
airing of the case.
This decision viii certainly raise a
storm among certain members of the
House, who will declare that the honor
of the legislative branch Of government
is insulted by the insolence of the
Executive in refusing information
upon which Congress might be able
to prosecute high malefactors and de-
fend the interests of the people. There
will also be some talk among these
Congressman about special reasons
which prompt the Executive to keep
back information: and it would not be
surprising If some bushwlacking Rep
resentatiye should allese that the trust
had sealed the lips of the Treasury
Department officers.
This sort of talk will make fine
campaign literature. and will convince
the voters in, say. the Second Iowa
or the Fifth Texas District that their
respective congressman aren't afraid
TO talk. but go right ahead and say
what they think about the way the
President and his gang are foolins
| with the trusts" Aside from it's great
value in boosting low campaign stock,
however, any criticism of the Pres
idents decision will be unjust and un-
! reasonable
Every lawyer knows that in the
preparation of any case there is al
ways a mass of evidence which can
not be disclosed until the trial opens.
Much of this evidence is more or less
intangible and much of it is connden-
tial. 1t may assume legal shape and
| it may not. In either event. to present
it to a committee which will give it TO
the public is the best way in the world
to ruin the case. I is so with the
tically every prosecution conducted by
the Government.
Then. again. it must be remembered
that the Executive branch of the Gov
| eminent is as responsible as, If not
| more responsible than, the legislative
branch, and is no less competent. The
President is as much the choice OF the
people as is the foeblest representa-
tive in Congress, and his functions
are Just as accurately defined There
is no more reason why the Executive
should be compelled to give his infor-
nation TO Congress than there is that
Congress should give to the President
facts it has secured for it's own in
vestigations
The President is likewise on sure
ground in opposing an investigation
of the sugar frauds by Congress, be-
cause an Investigation by Congress is
about the poorest possible method of
! convicting anybody of anything. A
committee investigated the Browns
| viile incident, and a committee is in
| Nestigatng the high cost of living. A
| committee investigated the blowing up
| of the lIaine and another COM
mittee investigated the Sampson
Schley episode. Yet none of these COM
| al
Which the real merits and real facts
| of the case could be determined. The
same results would be almost sure to
/ follow the investigation of the sugar
frauds in Congress, even If the in
formation in the hands of the Treasury
Department could be given out
Inc Sugar Trust may not get what
Is properly coming to 1t from the Gov
eminent. but the prospects are much
brighter that it will be dealt with as
1t deserves by the Executive than if
its case We're heard before Con.
| gressional committee.
-
THE spEAkER'S AUTOMOBILE.
The decision of the House of Repre-
sentatiyes ia ont ont Snaa,.ar 49,,