The Washington times., 1902-06-19
Mr.. ShalIenberger Takes
Up Case OF Miss
Taylor's Dismissal.
IMPORTANT FACTS WITHHELD
Cites Many Instances Where Informa-
ticn Was Asked of War Department,
and Refused, Where the Senate Af-
terward Extracted Damaging Facts.

During tie consideration of the gen.
eral deficiency bill in the House yester-
day Representative ShaIlenberger Dem..
Neb.) took occasion to criticise the Pres
ident and Secretary Root for the dis
missal of Miss Rebecca J. Taylor, the
young woman who was discharged from
the classified service in the War Depart
ment because she made adverse comment
on the Administrations policy in the
Philippines
He also charged that the Secretary Of
War had repeatedly withheld from the
House information regarding the conduct
of affairs in his department. As in
stances of this he declared that facts con-
cernirg the Philippines and Cuba had not
been forthcoming when asked for by Con-
sress.
Taylor Case Reviewed.
Mr.. Shsllenberger briefly reviewed the
Taylor case. and declared that the dis
nissal was direct violation of the civil
service law both in spirit and letter He
said he made no pretense of Being civil
service reformer. but he believed in fair
play.
President Mckinley. he said. in 1896
promulgated section s of rule 2, which
expressly declares that before person
can be discharged by a department chief
the employe is entitled to have the rea-
sons and cause for the discharge stated in
writing, and TO have three days in which
to reply.
81 know that it has been charged or in
sinUated." said Mr.. Shallenberger. that
the President has taken especial interest
in this case. and attempted to modify the
rule so far as to deny to this American
woman some. of the rights and privileges
to which she was entitled under p'reei-7.
dent Mekialey's order, so that the man
ner Of her tafing-off might be more ex-.
pedit!ous and more certain, but cannot
believe that. ! would have to change. +,
every idea and opinion that have formed
OF our President If was 70 believe 1t.
From all that have read of him have E
always believed that he stood sor 7thsr'
honor and dignity of American manhood.
and especially that he was a representa-
tive OF Western courage. and Western
ideas.
Do Not War On Women.
But Western men do not war upon
women. No man from the country where
the real Rough Riders ride will be guilty
of changing the rules of game in order
to win the place or iniure the reputation
of woman struggling to honestly main
tain herself
Il do not believe the President had In
mind the case Of Miss Taylor when he
approved the rule to modify the order OF
President Mckinley. It is repugnant to
my ideas OF American manhood. ] be-
lieve that the President has been misin-
formed in this case. IL brought to his at
tention at all, and that when it is brought
TO him in its true status, that he will or
der that this woman shall have justics
done her. and shall have every opportuni-
ty 10 defend herself for the reason that
the charge against her is criticism of
himself"
Commenting upon what he said was
the inability of members of Congress to
obtain information from the War De-
the Philippine tariff bill had been pass
cd By the House early in the session and
that shortly thereafter the fact became
known that there was 4 report at the
War Department from the Philippine
Commission which recommended ie-
duction of 80 per cent in the Dingley
rates. The House experienced the hurnil-
iation, he said. OF having the bill go over
to the Senate and a reduction made
there and the House had to swallow 1t
down with loss OF prestige and reputa-
tion.
Again, he said. the head of the army
was quoted as stating that the war in
the Philippines was being conducted
with unusual and marked severity and
cruelty.
Denied Rumors and Charges.
did the War Department give tho
country and Congress any information
upon this subject? No! Il was constantly
quoted as denying that there was any
foundation for these charges and rumors
were fixing thick and fast that the gen.
Continued on Ninth Page.)