New-York tribune., 1906-12-04
NEGRO TROOPS CASE UP
Tzco Resolutions in Senate Asking
for Information.
lrrnm ,hs Tribune Bureau. !

fT-rnun he Tribune
WASHINGTON Dec. 3.-From the conversation In
tho 1obbias and closkrooIus of the Capiol sa well
as from the resolutions introduced by Senators
Foraker ana Penrose to-day. IT is evident that the
action Of the President in dismisslns from the army
Companies r. c and OF the 25th Infantry will be
extensively discussed the floors Of both houses
Senators were surprised when Mr.. Penrose in
iected into the formal opening ceremonies resou-
tion Of inquiry addressed "a the President regard
ing The discharge OF the Negro troops When Mr..
Penrose said he had a resolution for which he
asked immediate consideration. Mr. Fairbanks arose
and. after hestating second said: The usual
rule IS not to consider resolutions or miscellaneous
business untu after the message of the President
. IS received
Then" said Mr- Tenrose, Il shall ask unanimous
consent TO have the resolution road
This was granted. It follows;
Resolved That The President is requested to COM
municate 10 the SEM e. IL not Incompatible with
the public interests full Information hearing upon
me c recent &c M oTdS dTssng from the mtsry y ssT ser
. oolored
Mr., Foraker Of Ohio was on his feet at once,
saying: II have a substitute for that In the follow
ing resolution and ask that it be read and that
both lie over"
Mr. spooner obtained the re-resdng of the first
resolution, and Mr.. Warren, of Wyoming, asked
thar both go over. The Foraker resolution WIS
read at his requests L addressed to the Sec
retary Of War. directing that official to furnish to
the Senate copies Of all official letters tele-
grams, reports and orders filed in the War Depart
ment In connection with the recent discharge of
the troops In question, together with a complete
list of the men discharged showing the record of
each and the amount Of retired pay each en-
titled TO under certain sections of the Revised
Statutes. The ruling of the department is asked
on this anv Ot'er similar regarding the
right of the to such retired pay, also the
ruling OF the department to the right of such
discharged TO retire three-fourths pay.
with allowance. subsistence and clothing; their
rights 10 enter the national soldiers homes to be
buried in a national cemetery. TO receive subsist-
ence and transportation from the place Of dis
charge 10 their homes: also the complete official
record Of the 18th Infantry from the time it was
mustered in to the date Of the discharge of the
companies mention ID
Under the various requests that the question go
over. nothing further was said after the reading
of the resolution.
Speaking of his resolution after the Senate ad-
Journed Mr.. Foraker said:
The resolution speaks for itself. cannot discuss
II. I will say. however. have no purpose of rails
ing the race question. The question involved is
broader; II will be unfortunate 10 have it mar
rOWed down by drawing the color line II concerns
white as Well as colored soldiers. II is question
til We have a complete record. I do know just
slider whether man can be convicted of feloA by
order, and whether following such conviction.
I sentence may be imposed and punishment inflicted
by order Discharges without honor may be granted
where they are not based on offence against the
law Of the land the commission Of which is denied
/ and where no punishment follows But where there
is conviction, sentence and punishment, have al
ways supposed that there would have to be also
trial either in q civil court or in court martial
I before other tribunal theFeuntO duly ap-
pointed by law But II IS idle discuss any OF
these questions until we know whether they are
I raised by the record.
While some Congressman seem inclined to criti.
else the Presidents too drastic there is
evident a vast amount Of msinformation the
subject among them, hardly any two arguins
from the same premises. Senators and Represent
etves have been receiving letters and protests from
Negro ministers, Negro women and others in all
parts OF the country and Of them admit that
they are entirely IN the dark 10 the actual
facts. They determined. however, to ascerta Ia
the facts from the official records. They submit
that until these are known. the Presidents course
VIII remain the subject Of public discussion: that
y Lls course eEtlrelN lustifiahle the