Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-05-19
The Free Press
On NeUberry

The decision Of the supreme court
Of the United States setting aside a
sentence of district court in Grand
Rapids and freeing Senator Truman
II. Newberry and sixteen co-defend-
ants from all liability and guilt I'M
der the federal corrupt practices act
is complete and happy vindication
for Mr.. Newberry and for his fellow
victims of long drawn out cam
paigp of persecution and vile mud
singing. All are to be heartily con-
graduated.
The congratulations may also ex-
tend to the entire state Of Michigan.
For more than a year the people Of
this commonwealth have been oblig-
ed to endure in silence slurs and
sneers which have. come not only from
people ut distance with an imper-
feet knowledge Of the facts in the
Newberry case, but unhappily also
from few Of its own people who
we're willing to besmirch their own
state If by doing so, they could graf
ify a mean, personal spite. Now the
unmerited stain has been removed
from Michigan's record.
The decision of the supreme court
is sweeping and final 1t says in eff
fact that there never was any case
against Senator Newberry; uphold
ing the main contention Of Judge
(now Secretary Hughes it pronoun-
ces the parttof the statute under
which the charges against the SEN
ator and the co-defendants were
brought fatally defective because
congress has no constitutional power
to regulate primary elections. The
decision says fatty that the Grand
Rapids court made mistake in dis
missing the demurrer Of the defend
ants and in holding them finally to
trial; and Chief Justice White, while
arguing individually for the consti-
tutionality of the statute, agreed that
it had been grossly misconstrued'
in Grand Rapids.
So the whole attack upon Senator
Newberry stands revealed as a
mares nest. 1t was, in fact, a dis
graceful effort to use the legal ma
chinery Of the United States for the
furtherance of political designs and
to satisfy individual enmity. AS a
candidate for a seat in the upper
house of congress Mr.. Newberry was
altogether presona non grata to the
Wilson administration, which had
the effrontery to name the man it
wanted Michigan to elect. Michigan
chose to go its own way; and the gov
eminent, aided by some. local ele-
ments and taking advantage Of what
may have been a lapse from good
Judgment on the part of Mr.. New
berry's campaign managers, under
took to use the machinery of the fed
cral department Of justice against
the man who had succeeded in ede
fiance of its wishes. In carrying on
it's campaign of persecution, govern
ment agents went to the greatest .ex-
tremes and did outrageous and RI
dichIous things. 1t almost became
dangerous for man to admit that
he had favored Mr.. Newberry or had
voted for him. The dspaf tment [soss
Justice won in the lower court; but
the supreme court of the United
States is not easily swayed by any
thing except fact. 1t arrived at a
correct and unanimous conclusion re-
garding the case, and unanimous
findings are not very common in the
supreme court just now.
Throughout his period Of trouble
and trial, Senator Newberry appear
ed at his best. He showed an admir-
able and whole-souled generosity and
faithfulness to those who were in
trouble on his account. He made
their cause from beginning to end
his cause. The dignity and fortitude
and quietness with which he bore i'll
fortune and faced the shadow of
possible disgrace gave him the re-
spect and admiration of every UNI
prejudiced person with whom he
came in contact. Now that he is ex-
onerated, Senator Newberry will no
doubt resume the seat in the upper
house of congress to which recount
and decision by the highest court
in the land say he is fully entitled,
but from which he voluntarily alb
sented himself as long as his status
was in question Free Press.