Speech #580022301

I read from the report of the AttorneyGeneral. as follows: By the appropriation act of February 25. 1903 (32 Stat.. 854. 903). Congress appropriated the sum of $500.090 to be expended under the direction of the AttorneyGeneral in the employment of special counsel and agents in the Department ot Justice to conduct proceedings and prosecutions under the various trust and interstatecommerce laws. It has now become highly important that this appropriation should be made available for the enforcement of the laws of the United States generally. and especially those relating to public lands. postal crimes and offenses. and naturalization. In respect to these three matters a grave condition of affairs exists. as shown by recent investigations and developments. Vast portions of the public lands have been dishonestly acquired through frauds. perjuries. and forgeries. and by similar means the laws relating to the proper administration of the PostOffice Department and other branches of the public service have been grossly violated. I have just referred to the crimes and frauds practiced in connection with the subject of naturalization. In order that the penalties provided for violation of these laws may be promptly enforced and the Government furnished with competent legal assistance for the pending investigations and prosecutions. and those which will arise throughout the country. I earnestly recommend that the said appropriation be made available for use for the purposes indicated. to be expended under my direction. He deliberately asks that this $500.000 appropriated for the purpose of prosecuting the trusts shall be made immediately available to do what? To enforce the laws of the United States generally and those relating to the public lands and the postal crimes and offenses against naturalization. Oh. pitiful confession! Is it possible that the United States AttorneyGeneral. with all the officials under him at his beck and call. is unable to run down a few thieves in the PostOffice and a brace or so of rascals who had to do with the publicland frauds without invoking the aid of Congress?