The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-24
WILSON AT TIL. BAL.

Germs agricultural Nc have expressed toliy and
emphatieany from time to time our conviction
that wretehed conspiracy against Doctor
Wiley existed in the department Of Agriculture
more specifically in the Bureau Of Chemistry.
We have minated that TIE head Of the depart
ment WAS either eogfizan, Of these happenings
and therefore an aceompl1ce de facto. a.
culpably ignorant IF transactions within his
own jurisdiction, vitality affecting the interests
Of the people at large and ne mead Of one
of his bureaus
So We have waited with some Impotence The
time when Farmer Jim should ascend the wit
ness chair and with the characteristic direct
and truthfulness of the Scotchman. give
his story TO the world. All The while. there has
been the lingering hope that this aged stateman
might be able TO yindicate himself from the
suspicion Of direct Ct iDdlrect-conneclInn With
this dsgraceful affair, and that he might 90
down the hillside with the light Of nations
confidence and appreciation stHl shining upon
his pathway
The Secretary has been at the bat We have
read ana tried TO digest his testimony. our
conviction is that he made desperate effort
to score hit but he fouled out
His testimony apparently attempts to demon
strate two things that Doctor Wiley was
disturbing factor in tho affairs Of the department
and that what effort was made to dlscreait the
chief Of The Bureau Of Chemistry was original.
cd ny others than himself
He branded Doctor Wiley as m apple Of
dseord in the department This is easily
credited l,v the ut4htio The occasion nf the
present Investigation hinges upon this patent
fact Bat The reason As what the people want
TO know 4 has been long evident that the
Doctor "as an onenae to the food and drug IN,
terests who desire Tue opportunity to perpe-
frate without moleslatjon her fraudulent and
dangerous schemes Il has been equally OBJ
Nio9ts that the doctor was persona non 9ratd
TO ms associates upon the board Of food and
drug inspection Rnt Why This fails TO appear
from the words OF Mr. Wilson The conclusion.
which the people tad already reached, is newt.
ahle and nnaltered that loctor Wiey's active ana
constant antaeonism 70 interested PARTIES. IN
their attempts to defy the law, is the eAplana-
iott 10 brand Wiley az disturbing factor
IN me department in the face OF his known
defense Of the rights and welfare Of the people,
Is practical confession that LIS associates
"eFe not II sympathy with such opposition
out Of the mouth of The head OF the department
Of Agriculture Wiley is Ntndeated and his
associates inerhnated
The further attempt q the Secretary to
shit responsibility ia certain particulars may
he the resort Of conscious weakness - hide
behind the convenient presence OF superior au-
thorty but i does not demonstrate that Wiley
vas insufficient or guilty OF any crime that
merited .condien punishment and 1t does
not explain. the manifest hostility IN sur de
rartmeht thai evidently laid lis plans for his
elimination Nh Wilson charges thai Roose-
welt by executive enactment evtah'57ned the
board Of food and drug Inspection. by the per
sonnet OF which an nnfFlendly associate
chemist and lawyer ignorant of The matters
upon which he passed. we're clothed with the
power to outyote ana override the decisions
Of the chief OF the bureau, as he advised and
championed measures and efforts to protect the
public. And Roosevelt, by executive enact
menf established the Reusen Referee Board
which has operated al a cost Of $1T5.000 and
has rendered not moro tAlln = +.4+f df4ze4 de-