New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-09-14
Protest Against Verdict.

Other. members Of the committee present
protested against such proceedings, when
would dispose of the case in the absence OF
four OF the twelve members, making Il pos
sible for minority Of the committee 70
find the committee verdict, and TINS. TOO
without any consultation or discussion.
But the partisan political end TO be
gained by the Democratic minority became
all the more urgent in proportion as the
railway trains bearing other members OF
the committee were approaching Mime
apolis. The minority refused even TO take
a recess. and the other members, protest
ing against the evident determination 10
"a he a snap jud gment by a minority IN the
A bsence of a third OF the whole trIpunai,
and declining TO bear any responsibility Tor
mus converting the investigation into a
rravesty. and for a violation Of the funda-
mental principle which should govern the
proceedings Withdrew from the meeting,
ana thus deprived the Democrats Of their
temporary control of the committee.
The meeting being left without quorum.
any a+1ernted decision Of the case would
have no more validity than would like &C
ton Of q similar number Of men collected
~ random In the streets, but the spectacle
was presented of five gentlemen out of trl-
b11nal Of twelve. created by the Congress OF
the United States, assuming to act as the
tribunal Itself
These FIVE gentlemen continued their pro-
ceedingS 70 the end. according to the worst
methods of ward politics. and. after pre-
tending - adopt 4 report Of elghfN nine
ragee. which they brought to the meeting
already prepared, and which was never the
subject Of consideration or discussion. or
even read IN committee they gave II to the
ueWSD2 peTS. although the law required II 70
he rendered 70 Congress. and they COM
plered their perverSiOn of the purpose OF
the meeting by adjourning to December 3.
so as To forestail, If possible any action
or consideration or discussion Of evidence
by the committee in the mean time. and
by solemn vote they GraciOuSly extended
10 the ma ority the leave TO file a minority
report.
Action Wholly LawIess.
T.. zccz NOT need IN ne said that such action
in both form and substance Is wholly law
less and il leaves il entirely unnecessary
10 ask what sort Of justice any public ser
want could look for whose character was
on trial in such a proceeding in the eX-
cirernent of a political campaign II there
is anv relation between laWless methods
and fbe character Of the results which
they accomplish this so-called verdict con
dennis its authors rather than the official
under investig cation.
This action of the minority in no way
relieves US from our responsibility under
the law. The duties which have deVoIFed
Irou us BY the law were not "a all or our
own seeking and they nave proved abo-
rious and sometimes dlsagreeabie dutleS
But we conceive that we are sun bouhd
70 follow an orderly procedure ana, indeed
the only procedure that is open under the
Law. II is incumbent on us 10 SIT the
great mass Of evidence and 10 attempt 10
reach and render A just verdict
Every effort was made TO induce the
minority members to agree TO a meeting
on some early day at Minneapolis or Chi
without avail The chairman called the
present meeting. The members whose
ma mes are herein attached nave spent the
DAY reviewing the case. but. being without
4 quorum. are poWerless 10 act and nave
ad lourned subject 10 the call of the chair
man.
The report Of the committee cannot be
made until December >. when Congress
meets, and the meeting called for Septem-
Der was for the purpose of considering
and discussing what the report TO be made
three months thereafter should be There
was therefore, no haste or pressure for
time The acts OF the Democratic minority
in taking temporary advantage OF the de-
Law OF some members in reaching the meet
ing was an effort 10 substitute a prear-
ranged scheme for the orderly delibera-
ions and discussions which the duty of the |
committee requires.
The pretended adoption of a report by /
. political minority and its publication, as
4 ii were the report of committee ex-
libited a willingness to sacrifice the rights /
md iniure the reputation of the officers /
Investigated in order 10 obtain a supposed /
7arty advantage in the pending political |
.smnajgn We cannot reconcile such a |
curse with our sense Of justice and of |
mr. d.Jte- KNUTE NELSON
GEORGE SUTHERLAND,
EBIHU ROOT.
SAMUEL T. MCALI
MARTIN Z OLMSTFD
EDWIN DENLY.