The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1922-06-04
The Attorney General

when Attorney General Daugherty assumes re-
sponsibility for the direction and conduct Of tho war
fraud cases, he does something more than defy his
critics, or challenge those who. for whatever pur-
pose. are seeking to discredlt him before the public
lie stakes his reputation on n task that IL difficult
and doubtful as TO success. and In which failure or
error OF judgment il certain 10 bring upon him an
amount OF blame which his sincerity Of purpose may
nst Justify.
The program before hin &, something more than
one OF Investigation. There have been Investigations
galore, generally disappointing In results. Now there
are TO be indictments and prosecutions; findings
must he subutantatcd In court. juries must be con
WINGED, proved guilt must be punished, and tho
| public will be watchful that the course OF the gov
cramon, shall be fearless ana without favor. Mr.
Daugherty, who sight be contant with official re-
sponsibiiity, while puttfns the burden upon "a deputy,
chooses to accept that responsibility as personal, and
TO stand guarantor that the action OF the govern
ment shall be free from suspicion. For that acton
he IL to be respected and admired.
But. In order that he may enter on this difficult
task with the utmost advantage. both TO himself,
personally. and TO the cause OF the government ana
Of the public. he ought first to demand that there
shall be an authoritative review Of the facts cunccrn-
Ing the pardon OF Charles W. Morse, as a federal
prisoner and a proper characterization Of his part Ia
the presentation Of that case to former fresident
TAFT
The odor OF that proceeding s,ni fingers. MIR.
Daugherty was In more or less contact with H. ana.
In spite OF the excuipation by Mr.. Taft and Ar. WicK-
ersham, still appears before the public a. the essen
ttal and effective intermediary with the then par
doning power. The president was deceived aH TO
the physical condition OF the prisoner. The public
at large had, and still retains. the impression that
law and justice were subvcrtcd By unworthy prac-
tees.
A. the situation remains to-day, this feeling on the
part OF the public. and the charges related 20 II now
being reiterated. cannot ba cvadcd. nor r. u good
Judgment TO attempt such "A course or profess 10
ignore them. The only safe way IL to meet them
and demand a complete presentation Of the record
and auxiliary facts.
The iaw treats with the greatest severity the crime
90 tamperinE with the courts Of Justice. the sub
ordination OF perjury, the corruption OF jury or Judge
The pollution Of the pardoninR power. by resort 70
improper Influence, by the serui ms Of perjury or OF
the executive by influence or pressure Of other sort
with a purpose TO distort tho functions Of Justice and
mercy which are the sole warrant Tor the Issue OF
pardons. Is an offcnse no less serious than tho cor
ruption OF tho processes % justice In tho indictment
and trial. Neither public office nor the profession
OF law can afford to tolerate the faint OF such an ac-
cusntion. Society cannot have IL said that pardons
can be obtained by surreptitloun devices. when pfis-
onerr have the means. either OF money or influonce.
to obtain such services. The attorney general OF