Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-29
THE RESIGNATION OF THE At
ToRNEY GENERAL

The resignation Of Attorney Cen
eral Daugherty, though belated, was
mono the less welcome. The an
omalous position which he was In,
being investigated both as to Of
fetal capacity and as to character
having 1t in his official power to
Withhold evidence, was one which
ia should have foreseen and should
have avoided in justice to himself,
TO his party and in difference 10
popular sentiment.
DENLY recognized THIS ana
whatever investigation may be mad
respecting his official acts 1t VIII
not be influenced by any power
which might have been in his hands
ss secretary of the navy. Neither
IA DENLY condemned in the eyes OF
the public because of his resignation
nor need Daugherty have been. IN
deed. 1t Is not unreasonable to ex-
meet that both men will be found TO
have given loyal service to their
government. The vivid imaginations
nf ex-bandits and Of others not so
much EEK, the II was told by So
and-so who heard A say to b, VINO
told the marines" gossip, all or
which would have little considera-
ton in a court of law functioning
under the rules Of evidence has not
vet been sifted. When it Is, If 1t be
found possible to do this. we shali
know more about the matter.
But 1t Is essential that the Office
of attorney general shall be filled by
a man having the confidence or the
country, especially at this particular
time: by one who Is not confused,
embarrassed and diverted from his
official duties by the urge of self
defense. Mr. Daugherty should
have appreciated this but 1t seems
he could not see this higher than his
self interest, could not forego any
grip which might help him to
indicate himself from the charges
made.
To satisfy the critics of the adj
ministration 1t will become neces-
sary to find an impossible indivi-
dual; one who has transccndent
ability, learning and varied ex-
perience, not only in his profession
. but in business. wide acquaintance
with men and methods, but who
owns no investments, never has
bought or possessed a share of stock
In any corporation or cut a coupon
from Il bond. To satisfy the public,
however, that part at least of the
public, which exercises some COM
nonsense when considering such
matters, we assume the new at
torney general will receive ap-
prevail II he fairly well meets with
these requirements recently set
forth by Senator Borah:
IL look upon the Department of
Justice as really the key to the
situation as 1t Is now presented to
the country. A most extraordinary
condition OF affairs obtains, and 1t
must necessarily be to a marked ex-
tent through the instrumentalities
of the Department of Justice that
these wrongs are to he rlghted and
that proper proceedings shall he had,
both with reference to the recovery
OF property and the punishment of
individuals who may be guilty of
violation of the law.
mot onlysis that true with refer
ence to the particular matter which
we have been investigating for the
last several weeks, but there are
other conditions obtaining through
the country relative to other mat
ters. relative to other Investigations,
particularly with reference to the
Veterans Bureau, relative to law
enforcement which make the De-
partment of Justice at this time al
together the most important depart
n,ent of the Government. The posi-
ton calls for a man not only of
sranscendent ability, man of health
md vigor. but also one who has the
unquestioned confidence of the
country. 1t Is n mere matter of the
performance Of a public duty to have
at the head of this department at
this time n man ip whom the coun-
try has complete stonfidence."