Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-05-28
Should BaIlinser Be lmpeached?
Baltimore SUM.

SUM.
1t is assumed that the majority of
the members of the Ballinger Investi-
eating committee will sign a report
generating the secretary of the inter-
ior, but that there will also be a mi
nority report. prepared by Representa-
tive Madison, an insurgent republican
member of the committee, and approV-
ed by the democrats on the committee.
The minority report. it is understood,
will amount practically to a condemna-
ton of Secretary Ballinger. Should it
receive the support of the com bined
democratic and insurgent republican
forces in the house of representatives
the next step might be the enforced
retirement of Mr. Ballinger from the
service of the government by the presi-
dent in response to the action of the
house. If the president refused TO re-
tire Mr.. Ballinger. the house, thru the
joint action of the democrats and in
surgent republicans, might impeach
Mr.. Ballinger. 1t would then be the
duty Of the senate to try him. The
constitution of the United States pro-
vides that the house of representatives.,
shall have the sole power of impeach-
ment, that the senate shall have the
.~c4S pONSi ~ - GIL i4i4 --.N'''
In 1876 General Belknap, secretary of
war, in the Grant administration, was
impeached by the house for corruption
in office. He resigned before proceed
ings could be begun formally, and the
charge was dropped on the ground of
lack OF jurisdiction.
If Secretary Ballinger should be i'm
peached by the house and brought to
,n1 Ha 1f,f he
convicted without the concurrence Of
two thirds OF the senators present
when final action was taken by the
senate on the charges formulated by
the house. The constitution provides
that Judgment shall not extend be-
yond removal from office and disquali-
fication to hold office; but it is further
provided that the party convicted shall
be liable 10 indictment and punished
according to law. With senators voting
absolutely on party lines, it would be
impossible TO convict Mr.. Ballinger.
If the republican senator's classed as
insurgents should vote with the demo-
Gratis, the combined vote would still
fall far short of the number requisite
to the conviction of the secretary OF
the interior But if the house of repre-
ScNld tlNSS Sllpulu IlIlpSdClI IoI11ilii5
er, it is probabl that the trial of the
official by the senate would result in
important revelations which could not
be brought out at the hearing before
the joint committee of congress. And
the impeachment of the secretary of
the interior might also have the whole
some effect of making future presidents
exercise the greatest care and discriml-
nation in appointing men TO cabinet
Observation-Disclosures might be the re-
suit Of the trial by the senate Of the
present secretary of the interior.
If Mr.. Ballinger is guilty of the char
ges preferred against him before the
investigating committee he ought to
be punished by the courts. Unfortu-
nately for the impartial and thorough
administration of justice, his case has
been made a party issue in congress-
a political question, and his eXculpa-
ton by congress a matter of loyalty to
the administration and essential TO the
vindication of the president. Mr.. Taft
has good cause to regret the unenViaole
position in which his championship OF
Ballinger has placed him. 1t Is essen
tial TO the usefulness of his admins
tration that he sever Mr.. Ballinger's
connection with it as soon as possible.
For the retention of Mr.. Ballinger at
the head of the interior department
will be a deliberate affront to enlight-
en- public opinion.