Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-07-17
Put None But Democrats on
Guard.

No better argument in favor of
having all Government officials
in sympathy with the Admins
tration is needed than the en1bar-
easements following the indict-
ments of Caminetti and Diggs,
in California, for violation of the
White Slave Law.
From the evidence submitted,
it is pretty certain that these two
degenerates have been guilty of
a crime for which hanging is in
sufficient punishment, and there
is little doubt that they will get
all that is coming to them in ex-
patton of their villainy.
But it was not case of which
a high minded official, Of what
ever politics, would try to take a
partizan advantage.
This, however, is just what
United States District Attorney
McNab--a Republican--did
The elder Caminetti, strongly
endorsed by Mr.. Bryan, had been
appointed United States Com
missioner of Immigration, and
came to Washington by order of
Secretary Of Labor Wilson to
familiarize himself with his new
duties.
Desiring to be present at his
sons trial, he asked leave of alb
sence to return to California,
when Secretary Wilson asked At
torney General McReynolds to
postpone the case until Fall,
needing Caminetti in Washing ton.
Thereupon McReynolds instruc-
ted McNab to let the cases go
over until the next term of court,
and McNab seized the opportuni-
ty put the Democratic admins
tration in bad'' by wiring his
resignation in an insolent and
denunciatory manner.
It was promptly accepted, and
President Wilson spiked the guns
of his critics by ordering special
counsel to prosecute the cases'in
behalf of the Government with
all possible vigor. and without
further delay.
The inside facts are that Nc
Nab was actuated by no high
motive in making his spectacular
play to the galleries. He is ar
active Republican politician and
candidate for Office for Governol
of California. He knew his ten
ure of office was limited, anyhow
and so he thought he would boos
himself and hurt the. Democratic
administration by making dis
play of. righteous indignation.
It would seem that the order
of delay were mistake an hon
est error of Judgment but is thl
the first time that criminals hav'
not been tried at the first tern
of court following their arrest?
We seem to remember that
Republican District Attorney al
lowed the cases of the indicte'
Chicago millionaire beef packer
to hang fire, until they wer
finally barred by the statute Q
limitation.
Now suppose a Democrat-no
a reactionary posing as such, bu
a dyed-in-the-woo1 Wilson Demo
crat-had been appointed to tn
office McNab held. On receipt Q
the Attorney Generals order
postpone the case, he would, wit
full local knowledge of the facts
have shown the injustice and et
feet of such postponement to hi
superior, and doubtless the case
would have been ordered to tris
forthwith, and all this hallaba1o
avoided.
The most successful general
have put in command of the
armies men loyal to the1nselye
and to their cause-not mercer
aries and traitors-In politics
fealty to ones Chief and party
equally necessary.
Efficiency is, of course, requisit
But we lean to the belief TIL;
there are just as many eficier
Democrats as Republicans
these United States.
The moral of the Caminet
case is not likely to be lost.
A Cause For Party Congratulated