Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-10-31
DETROIT FREE PRESS
DOUBTS MOTIVES OF
POLITICAL "PURISTS"
Says They Now Are Full Of Explana.
lions OF New York Newberry
Action.

Maybe They Have Overdone II" IL
The caption on the following editorial
which appeared recently in the Detroit
free Press.
II Is interesting and instructive to
,ote that those most active and most
Instrumental in stirring up the cues
ion OF the morality OF the Republican
senatorial nomination are not general
h persons who are themselves known
as strong adherents OF the Republi-
can party. On the contrary, some OF
them have been generally credited
with sentiments decidedly antsgonis
tic 10 the interests OF that party; and
while. OF course, these people have
their dupes who bear the Republican
label. the latter are little more than
puppets.
Yet the tenderness OF these outsid-
ers for the honor OF the Republican
party, which they graciously concede
IL the honor OF the state. Is SO sOlici-
tous that IL Is touching. They are not
content to allow the general elector-
ate OF Michigan. nor its courts to de-
eide what evil. II any. has been done.
They seem 10 take the position that
the voters and judges aud juries OF
our commonw wealth are so Incompetent
II nothing worse that they may not
be permitted TO decide their own ar
fairs according 10 their own laws with
in the hounds OF their own state.
These generous guardians OF our
righteousness at first attempted TO IN.
terest the upper house OF congress IL
their tale OF iniquitous practice. but
for reasons II might be- unkind tc
mention. their effort failed.
However, their highly sensitized con
sciences would not rest So they raised
their voices in the rooms of the ma
tional department Of justice. and the
attorney general listened and started
an action which may only be described
as extraordinary Charges were made
against Commander Newberry and his
campaign helpers in United States
district court in New York and il wa.
announced that judge from Ala
bama would try the case There was
some gleeful eXuitation I'M certain
quarters over this achievement. anC
for a time matters seemed 10 be Coins
on swmmingly
But after all. is the proceeding hav
ing the effect it was intended to have
Il it really turning the minds Of the
people Of Michigan from the senatorial
nominee who was the choice Of the
majority OF the voters Of the state at
the primary
Isn't there something rather strain
ed in the spectacle OF "a Republican
senatorial nominee and his managers
on trial for their lives $50 To speak
before southern Democratic judge
and q Tammany town jury VIII q
prosecuting attorney who is he repre-
sentative OF a Democratic auoues
general?
Isn't there certain suggestivenes s
i'm the successful Invocation against
Commander Newberry OF the interest
and power of The legal department Of
au ADMINISTRATION Shat is ayowedy
working for the election Of Comman-
der Newherrv's opponent
Isn't 81 rather curious fortuitous
circum ance that the Newberry cam.
paign managers must be detained In
New York on tie eye OF election. thus
leaving Mr. Ford managers clear
field?
We are fir from asserting thar the
officers called into the investigation
are ntthinr but honest men. but
but were they all anqels OF light and
above suspicion OF human prejudice
the situation. as it stands. would not
the less be provocative OF cogitation
concerning the curious forms a thirst
for righteousness and political purity
will sometimes take during an election
campaign.
Even those most insistent upon car
rying the Newberry case through &c
the end seem to be touched with a lit
| tie doubt along certain lines. They
are full OF explanations OF why IL wai
necessary to take the case OF the com
! mander to another state, and OF why
| II was necessary 10 call in a southern
Democratic Judge and OF how little
after all. that Judge has had TO dc
with the case. and they are exceeding
ly liberal with constructions OF eventI
which are. to say The least. not i'm
partial. and which suggest that they
are not quite content TO allow develop
ments to speak for themselves. w,
wonder whether they are afraid they
have overhddled?