European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 17, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The stars and stripes thursday december 17,1987 Reagan oks ethics Bill despite doubts Washington a president Reagan decided thai legislation renewing inc Post watergate ethics in government acl must be enacted for the Good of the Republic regardless of perceived constitutional defects his spokesman said wednesday. At his daily White House news briefing spokesman Marlin Fiu water reiterated Reagan s View thai portions of the Law which creates the government s inde pendent counsels unconstitutionally give executive Branch Powers to he judicial Branch of government. But he said idling the act expire in january would have disrupted several investigations that Are under Way. Reagan in a statement tuesday announced he had signed the Bill and said the administration would continue to pursue its objections in the courts. Facing majorities in the House and the Senate sufficient to override a veto Reagan signed the Bill Hubli mating he said my very Strong doubts about its con  Bui Fitzwater said wednesday that the likelihood of an override of a Reagan veto was not a Factor in the president s decision to sign the legislation. The position that the adminis Lvalion has taken is the same As All previous administrations. Which is that he signs the legislation because methinks the Polit ical purpose is justified Fitzwalter said. We need the Independent counsels to be looking into these investigations. We try to protect the integrity of them t it we Don t believe it s constitutional in the Way that the Law provides for them to be selected. Our position is simply the same As we be said Many limes that for the Good of the Republic we sign the Bill but we believe that some parts of it Are Union  the Law continues the authority under which court appointed Independent counsels investigate alleged wrongdoing by senior government officials. The Law is intended to prevent the potential conflict of interest that would result from having the Justice department an Arm of the executive Branch investigate executive Branch officers. In a message announcing that he had signed tie measure the president said he still believes thai Alt prosecutors should be appointed by the executive Branch. He said the. Administration will continue to make that argument in a Case pending in the . Court of appeals in Washington thai Challenge Ibe constitutionality of the Independent counsel act. Action on this Bill however cannot await the Reso Lution of thai Case he said. In order to ensure that Public Confidence in government not be eroded while the courts arc in the process of deciding these questions i am taking the extraordinary step of signing this Bill despite my very Strong doubts about its cons Titu  the Bill was approved by he House 322-90 on dec. 2 and by the Senate 85-7 on nov. 2d, margins Well in excess of the two thirds majorities needed 10 override a presidential veto. Rep. Gingrich wants speaker Wright investigated Washington a a conserva Tive lawmaker who denounced House speaker Jim Wright As the most unethical speaker of the 20th Century is calling for a format investigation into the democratic Leader from Texas. Rep. Newt Gingrich a Ca cited Sev eral news articles questioning Wright s activities on behalf of ailing Texas Sav Ings and Loans the legitimacy of a Book Deal he obtained and his involvement in the development of the fort Worth stockyards project. I think based on the historical re Cord he is the most unethical speaker of the 20th Century Gingrich said at a news conference tuesday. Asked about Gingrich s move Wright chuckled and recalled words attributed to former Chicago mayor Richard Daley they be vilified me they be alumni fied me they be abused me they be even criticized  i Don t think it really warrants too much of an answer Wright said. It s totally without foundation. He said he did not believe anyone had said. Suggested he had done anything Dishon est illegal or unethical my total career Speaks Tor  those who know me Best constituents neighbor friends. And colleagues have repeatedly paid me the very gnat Honor of electing Roe to positions of the greatest responsibility he said. Gingrich said More could be Learned through a formal investigation. This is Only stuff found by the printed press with no subpoena Powers he the articles appeared in various publications and Deal with allegations of questionable activity by the speaker dating Back is years. Only after a painstaking investigation including Access to personal documents and financial records will it be possible to know what has happened Gingrich said in a letter to colleagues. That process will require a formal investigation with a professional investigative Stal with subpoena  College grads get kick out of clowning around Spokane Wash