The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-09-13
WELL-MEANT MEDDLING.

We have noticed from time to time
the meddlesome efforts Of well~meaninp
persons, whose meddlings, no matter how
well meant, have invariably tended to-
wards mischief and trouble. Nothing is
more common than for a well-meaninp
meddler to do more evil than purpose.
full man when he maliciously undertakes
to stir up trouble. A well-meaning med
dlcr as rule is thoughtless, taking no
account Of fitness or propriety, nor does
a meddler as rule sense what it is that
he is really doing
Some years ago, for example. when
Judge johnson was presiding in the San
pete judicial district, petition of
number of the people Of that district
was presented to him, asking him in his
Judicial capacity to do certain things
with respect to certain litigation in
his court The Judge received the petit
ton with the utmost patience He
showed no resentment at the attempt
to meddle by the citizenship of his dis
trict in his sworn duties under the law
as Judge, But he read these peti-
tioners very ghtforward and
strong lecture on the improperly of
their conduct, and pointed out to them
that they were in fact in contempt Of
court. They thereupon made haste to
withdraw their petition and to disavow
any offense The disavowal was en-
tirely needless, however. because they
did not mean to do what in fact they
did.
California in connection with the Diggs-
Caminetti convictions. Rev. Dr. G. r.
Aked, who was imported from England
(in spite Of the alien labor contract
law to be pastor of the church attend
cd by the late John P, Morgan in New
York, IS the offender. Mr.. Aked speed
lily found that he was not IN con-
genial atmosphere in New York, and so
he shifted his field of labor to San Fran
cisco. There he has been the center
Of various sensational episodes, which
have served to keep his name before the
public, His latest effort in notorietv is
an attempt to influence Judge Van
Fleet with respect to the sentences
which he is to pass upon Diggs and
Caminetti upon their conviction Of vio-
lating the Mann 'Fwhite slaver act.
DR.. Aked makes what is called "cour.
ageous but i'll advised attempt to in
duence the trial Judge to use leniency
ia these cases. DR.. Aked does not at
tempt to extenuate the guilt of the con-
victcd men, but he urges that the law is
new, "that people should have time to
grow accustomed to the new law before
its full force is let loose upon the
| world" and further, it would be bet
ter for 'law and morals if there were
no appearance Of vindictiveuess in the
sentences.
DR.. Aked undoubtedly means well in
this courageous but i'll advised at
Tempt" but in addition to being i'll
advised that attempt is a gross assault
upon the intelligence and right minded
ness Of the Judge on the bench for
Aked has no right TO assume that the
sentences will take any yiDdictive form.
Neither has be any right to point out
| to tho Judge how the law should be con
| strued 1t is not Aked who has taken
the oath TO enforce the law faithfully
and truly; Judge Van Fleet has taken
| that oath. 1t is clear case that Dr.
Akcd is himself showing vindctivc-
ness towards the Judge which he urges
that Judge not TO show against the per
sons who have been convicted of this
hcinous crime, DR.. Akcd stated that
in England, whence he came, adultery is