Evening star., 1924-04-19
Reaction Upon G. o. p. Is Seen
Ii Attack on Wheeler Fails

| Indictment OF Senator Wheeler
| meets with various interpretations
SO far as editors are concerned. His
conspiracy meets approval Of editors
of his faith. Republican editors sug-
gest "frame-ups" are difficult. Inde-
pendent editors think it will be well
| TO wait and see"
In the opinion OF the Springfield
Republican independently, ''the situa-
ton is such that the indictment of
Senator Wheeler will be very widely
regarded as an effort to terrorize the
| Senate into a relaxation OF its inves-
LEGATIONS, unless the indictment can
be backed up; and in case it cannot be
backed up, the Senate will be con-
fronted with the question whether its
legislative independence has been
wantonly attacked"
Referring to the revelation that
an agent of the Republican national
committee was at the scene Of the in
dictnent and in telephone converse
ton with the party leaders in Wash
ington, the Pittsburgh Sun Demo
cratic). declares the average citi-
zen will be inclined TO withhold judg-
ment, but IL Is clear enough that the
circumstances are such as to give
Senator Wheeler benefit of more than
the customary presumption of inno-
cence." The accuSers will have to
present an air-tight case again.S the
Montana senator, the Hartford Times
lDemocraticl maintains. or the in
dlctment will prove one OF the worst
imaginable boomerangs to the Repub-
lican party" II he can prove his in
nocence, the Wichita Eagle (independ-
en) insists, the people will show
his enemies and the world that the
prosecuting arm OF the government
cannot be used for private revenge
Aside from Wheeler's explanation.
which carries the ring OF "candor and
truth" the Lynchbarg News Demo
cratic) says the affair bears the ear
marks of political persecution, inspired
by the administrator" While the Knox
vile Sentinel Independent Democratic)
regards it as "one more Incredible
blunder against the administration by
reason OF its apparent cooperation with
| and active encouragement of the dis
credited Daugherty In making his war
on the offending Senate and senator's .
The New York Evening World Demo
cratic) considers the motive for animus
on the part Of the department he has so
giaringiy exposed is plain enough,
The Butte Post (Rspublican) is con-
fident "in this region there will be no
| rush to conclusions as to the merits of
the legal proceedings involving Senator
Wheeler or the outcome Of them: the
willing surely without prejudice to re-
| serve Judgment while the affair follows
| the usual legal course" The Spokane
| Spokesman-Review independent Repub-
lican) also does not want to commit it
| self as to whether he is innocent or
| guilty The Seattle Times independent
Republican, points out that he will
| have full opportunity to present his de-
| fense in a court where the rules of eyi-
denoe are well established. and in this
particular he will have a fairer deal
than he has given others
Since Senator Borah Is chairman Of
! the special cummittee investigating the
| indictment. the Brooklyn Eagle Gnde-
Courier-Journal tDemocratic) feel he
| may be depended on to get at the facts.
| and that the country will be guided by
the findings Of his committee.
The New Orleans Times Picayune
| Gndependent Democratic) claims, fur
| thermore, that neither a Senate COM
mittee nor a rabidly partisan opinion
should undertake to acQuit him, en-
dow him with a halo and canonize
him as a political martyr until the
facts in his case are duly established
| by fair. and impartial trial before a
| court Of justice" Fair play will
| work it's usual way on these cases,
| according to the Duluth Herald (in-
| <ependent), which believes, IF they
are purely political, If they are mere
| ly-a way of getting back at Senator
Wheeler for what he is doing in
! lWaShington. they viii react upon