San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-27
By the Consolidated Press.


Washington, ID. C., April 26.-In-
dictment of Senator Wheeler meets
with various interpretations so far
as editors are concerned. His sug
gestion that it was the result of n
conspiracy meets approval. of editors
of his faith. Republican editors sug-
gest "frame-ups" are difficult. In
dependent editors think it will be
well TO "wait and see."'
In the opinion of the Springfield
Republican Und) 1.-THE situation is
such that the indictment of Senator
Wheeler will be very widely regard
ed as an effort TO terroriZe the Sem
ate into a relaxation of its investi-
cations, unless the indictment can be
backed up: and in case il cannot be
backed up, the Senate will be con-
fronted with the question whether its
legislative independence has been
wantcnly attacked" Referring to the
revelation that an agent of the Re
publican national committee was ut
the scene of the indictment and in
telephone conversation with the party
leaders in Washington, the Pittsburg
Sun Democrat declares "the aver
age citizen will be inclined TO with
hold Judgment, but il is clear enough
| that the circumstances are such as
! to give Senator Wheeler benefit of
more than the customary presumption
| of innocence. The accusers will
have 10 present an alright case
against the Montana senator, the
Hartford Times, (Democrat) main
tains or the indictment "will prove
one OF the worst imaginable boone
rangs to the Republican party" II
he can prove his innocence. the Wich-
ita Eagle 0md.) insists 1.-The people
will show his enemies and the world
that the prosecuting arm of the gov
eminent cannot be used for private
revenge"
The Motive Is Plain.
Aside from Wheeler's explanation.
which carries the ring of "candor and
TRUTH" the Lynchburg News Demo
craft says, "the affair bears the
earmarks of political persecution. in
spired by the administration. While
the Knoxville Sentinel, (Ind. Demo
craft regards it as lone more in
credible blunder against the admin
istration by reason of Its apparent
cooperation with and active en-
couragement of the discredited Daugh-
erty in making his war OH the offend
ing Senate and senator's" The New
York Evening World (Democrat) con-
siders "the motive for animus on the
part of the department he has so
glaringly exposed is plain enough
The Butte Post (Republican) is
confident '"in this region there will
be no rush to conclusions as to the
merits of the legal proceedings in
volving Senator Wheeler or the out
come of them: the community where
he lives is ready and willing surely
without prejudice, 10 reserve judg-
ment while the affair follows the
usual legal course The Spokane
Spokesman Review lind. Republic
cam also does not want to commit
itself as to whether he is innocent
or guilty. The Seattle Times (1nd.
Republican, points out that "he Will
have full opportunity to present his
defense in a court where the rules
of evidence are well established, and
in this particular he will have
fairer deal than he has given others.
They Want the Facts.
Since Senator Borah is chairman
of the special committee investigating
the indictment. the Brooklyn Eagle
(Ind. Democracy and Louisville Cour-
ier-Journal (Democrat) feel he may
be depended on TO get ut the facts
and that the country will be guided
by the findings of his committee. The
New Orleans Times Picayune lind.
Democracy claims, Furthermore, that
"neither a Senate committee nor
rabidly partisan opinion should under
take TO acquit him, endow him with
a halo and canonize him as politi-
cal martyr until the facts in his case
are duly established by fair and i'm
partial trial before court of JUS
tice." Fair play will work its usual
way on these cases, according 10 the
Duluth Herald (Ind.) which believes,
"if they are purely political, If they
are merely way of getting back
Mt Senator Wheeler for what he is
doing in Washington, they will re-
act uDon those who pushed them.
At any rate, Senator Wheeler, the
Minneapolis Tribune (Republican) |
suggests "now has his chance TO |
prove in court the measure of his
loyalty and the quality Of his devo-
ton to spublic interest"
As the Savannah Press (DemocraD |
sees it "if he has done the things |
charged, he ought TO have been prose-
cuted before" however, "this action
comes n little late and at time
when its political effect is only too
apparent" The st. Louis Post Dis
patch Qnd.) agrees "there are sur
face indications of a conspiracy to
blacken Senator Wheeler" because "a
sinister aspect of the evidence al
ready secured is the activity of George
Il. Lockwood, secretary of the Re
publican national committee, and en-
ployes of the committee in connection
with the indictment, moreover, If