Speech #630043556

Its only purpose was to call the attention of the administration somewhat vigorously to the evident blunder which had been made by the Department of Justice in this case. in order that a prompt correction of the error might be made. and because I did not want the Department of Justice. under a possible misapprehension of the facts. even to seem to lend itself to delay in these cases. As a trial judge in former years I had been amazed and grieved to hear the charge boldly made by apparently intelligent people that the courts were the most unjust institutions in the land and that the poor man had no redress where the rich and powerful were concerned. and so in discussing my resolution at the time I stated in substances that"One of the most frequent criticisms urged by people generally against the courts is the delay in bringing cases to trial and the powerful influence of mloney and politics in the rendition of justice. Frequently it is boldly asserted that men of wealth or political influence are beyond the reach and operation of criminal law. " We are now presented with the alarming spectacle of a member of the Presidents Cabinet requesting the Attorney General of the United States to delay the trial of the son of still another high Government official. the son being held under indictment for a most heinous offense. "And the reason given by the Cabinet officer in question for requesting the delay is that it is in the interest of the public service. "Since when has the demand of the public service operated to the extent of nullifying an act of Congress? "And how does the public service extend to the son of the Commissioner General of Immigration? " In my opinion the interests of th public service. as well as of the Nation in its entirety. hinge on the strict enforcement of the Criminal Code. The law should take its course vithout regard to the vealth or political cosnnections of the defendants." In all of this there was no thought of embarrassing the administration. Of course every man worthy of citizenship in our Republic believes the law should take its course. without regard to the wealth or powerful political influence of any of the parties connected with the subject matter of the litigation.