Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-11-21

|CASS may OG SdlA Ill ldVOA VI VI dSdlHSl llIC 'SyStCul,
it is essentially democratic in principle and effect.
NEWBERRY RESIGNS
The resignation of Truman H.. Newberry, Unit
ed States senator from Michigan, closes an incident
which has abounded in sensational features, and
which has undoubtedly helped to shape the senti-
'ment which found expression at the polls two weeks
ago in the retirement. of,several men of note from
the public service, and in greatly diminished mas
jorities for several others.
The charge made against Mr.. Newberry was
that he had gained his election by the unlawful ex-
|penditure of money. Convicted under a statute
limiting campaign expenditures, he appealed, and
the law under which he had been convicted was de-
|clared unconstitutional. That relieved him from
criminal action, but there remaineds the question,
whether the use of such large sums of money to
secure his election did not disqualify him. That
question was debated for a long time, and the de-
cision rendered by the narrow majority-of FIVE, was
in substance that Nj. Newberry had done nothing
for which he should be %unseated, but in the same
breath the senate resolution deplored such lavish
Expenditure and served warning on all persons in
lterested that such a course must not. be repeated
The country seized upon this decision and inter
lpreted it as meaning that the defendant was not
guilty, but that he must not do it again, and that
nobody else should do likewise. The senate's
straddle did not help matters in the least. If the
senate, being minded that way, had merely declar-
ed that the evidence did not warrant the unseatinp
of Newberry, and let it go at that, those who voted
for the resolution would have been subjected to
lcriticism from those who took the other view, but
the criticism would not have been half as severe
as was actually. dealt out in the belief that the
supporters Of the resolution had tried to carry
water on both shoulders. Nss I,
As to the actual merits Of the case, it has never
been shown that a dollar of the money contributed
by Newberry orr his friends was expended for an
improper purpose. Less money was actually spent
lin the Newberry campaign than in the Ford cam
|paign, if by campaign work we are to understand
not the.formal work done in a particular way after
a candidacy has been officially announced, but the
effort actually put&fofth to accomplish a political
purpose.
There is no syllable of evidence to show that Mr..
Newberry or anyone aeting for him, bribed a voter
Tor attempted to influence a vote in an unlawful
manner. But it is true that a great deal of the
Newberry fund was distributed In a manner which
at least provided warrant for suspicion. Large
sums were handed to individuals who were not re-
iquired to make any accounting. The methods used
in the distribution Of this money or a considerable
lpart of it, were Most decidedly not those which
would ordinarily be followed by persons who were
lconscious OF the propriety Of all their purposes and
who were prepared to defend the legitimacy Of
their acts an
Unfavorable sentiment Throughout the country
Twas created by the size of the campaign fund-the
size Of the Ford fund being disregarded-and the
manner OF its distribution. Further offense was
i6AY.SAn ~ SaS iSlNOu sCiilPlOySu TO- tUHuSnCSs Scna-
torial votes in Newberry's favor, conspicuous. among
these was the pulling Of social strings in Washing
ton Tor no other apparent purpose than t., insure a
friendly attitude toward the. man on trial. The
members Of a certain social group were enlisted in
this work, and they were industrious id the perform
ance Of the dutiessassignedst them
It's PROBABLY too much to a y5that any defeated
senator owes his defeat ia his vote for NeWberry.
But it is 4 fact beyond dispute that those senators
who voted for Newberry were ttersbbysSIplaced on
the defensive and their attittde on this question
contributed fo their defeat. sa@
Personallyg5MT NewberTy is generally held is
DE a man az fine chharacter HHesi s q capabless bust
mess man and he has performed sxcellelts public
service. 1He ms made the n1istake which i good
maany other menSS have made, scf over-ennphasiziinpg
lthe nportanses of political success and Of permit
ting himself u Be drawn INTO position, offensive Is
lpublirs entim Mhttthsr the public scopclusions
nsMiG Pafticti lar case Nere drawn from ssoi,1d rsas-
Iofiagy sor not hsyy inldicate4a ssfrong and very
Nholessoase desire NM Sthes result ~ ON ehe1tions