San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-28


recent attack and while under fire.
stood my ground, because | believed
cowardice and surrender of principle
are never expedient, and that every
| sacrifice of Justice TO clamor is fol-
lowed by demands for still greater sac
rifices. From the beginning this at
tack upon me has in fact been an at
| tack upon the administration and the
Republican party, which my assail-
ants are seeking TO discredit for par
tisan purposes. Since the assault upon
me began, the purpose to attack every
administration official of prominence.
including the President himself has
been publicly revealed.
Says Crisis at Hand.
The American people confront a
crisis in national affairs equal in
gravity, to any We have ever faced in
our history. Is this to remain a gov
eminent of law and order, of consti-
tutional procedure, with its guaran-
tees of individual rights and its safe
guards for equal justice TO the high
est and the humblest, or is it 10 be-
come government by SANDER. by ter
rorism and by fear? In the battle for
my rights, as an official and a citizen
the rights of every citizen of this re-
public are involved, for who of all our
millions Of people knows but that he
may be the next to become the object
of unjust accusation maintained by
lawless inquisition?
I'm conclusion, Mr.. President,
DO fAt.
statement that you do not question my
fairness or integrity. and believe me,
Yours very truly.
III. NJ. DAUGHERTY."
Goes to Atlantic City. |
Immediately after signing the last
letter to the President. Mr.. Daugherty
left Washington for rest at Atlantic
City.
Retention Of Mr.. Daugherty in the |
cabinet was one of the strongest links |
by which, President Coolidge. when
he assumed office. tied up with the
political fortunes of his administra-
ton with those of the uncompleted
administration of his predecessor.
Long personal friend of Mr..
Harding, the retiring attorney gen.
eral was the pre-convention Harding
Campaign manager in 1920 and he
entered the cabinet acclaimed as the
Warwick of the new regime in Wash
ington.
Throughout President Hardng's
lifetime their close association re-
manned unbroken. When criticism of
the attorney general began and when
his usefulness had been greatly i'm
paired year ago by illness. Mr.. Hard
ing assured him he would find only
support and confidence at the White
House.
The post of attorney general was
the first high public place ever held
by Mr.. Daugherty and his adminstra
ton of the Department ofNJustice was
perhaps more continually under fire
during his tenure of office than any
other federal agency under this Re-
psblican regime. 1t was at the same
time strongly commended for positive
positions adopted on many occasions.
Has Been Scored Often.
Mr.. Daugherty was frequently as
sailed in Congress, one attack cul-
minating in impeachment proceedings,
but he was eXonerated by the House
by a onesided vote. He. was assaulted
for the alleged part he played in OBJ
tanning release from ) uanta priso3
Of 'Charles W. Morse during the Taft
and was constantly
under attack by organized labor,
after he used the injunc-
lion in trying to break up the rail
strike in 1922. II
The impeachment proceedings were
initiated by Representative Keller
Republican,, Minnesota, who rose
rom his seat in the House September
IL. 1922. and ''impeached" Mr..
making the general charge
If malfeasance in office. Mr. Keller's
was referred to the judic-
airy committee and on Mr.. Daugh-
'rty's demand the committee required |
Ir. Keller to file bill of particulars.
he then made fourteen specific
;harges, all carrying general asser-
ions of deliberate failure and neglect,
raud and deceit.
When the committee tried to obtain
rom Mr.. Keller supporting evidence
I failed to get anything it regarded as
hfinite and the Minnesota member
inally charged that the inquiry was
lot being fairly conducted and said he
vas through with the case" Further
'fforts to get him to testify failed
md when the House received the COM
nittee's report it. voted to exoncrate
he attorney general. 204 to II.
Labor Mixed i'm Case.
Officials OF the American Fedora
ion of Labor appeared in the in
Jury to support the attack ON hte in
JUNCTION obtained in Chicago against
he rail strikers. Attorney General
friends claimed this was
me of his bOldest strokes in protect
ng the public interest while his en-
mics condemned the action most Wig
rously. He insisted also that he had
cted as sincere friend of labor.
There was much controversy, too,
yer Mr.. Daugherty's ruling that for
ign ships could not bring liquorl
torres into American waters and thltl |
american ships must remain dry
wherever they may be. Only the for
ner of these two propositions was up-
ED by the Supreme court. II
Recently there have been repeated
tacks on the Department of Justice
n regard TO delays and failures 10
Onvict in the war fraud cases. Nota-
ly among these cases was the Chem
cal Foundation proceedings and thatl
gainst Charles w. Morse, in neither
+ which was the department able 20
et favorable verdict.
Wheeler Fought Him.
The war frauds prosecutions and
he delay in prosecuting those ace
used in the Veterans Bureau and oil
inquiries. were among specific ques-
ions referred to in the resolution of
Wheeler Democrat), Mon
ana, ordering the Senate investiga.
ion. This. resolution WINS intrndncnd /