Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-03
DISCHARGE OF TROOPS
RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY IN
TRoDUCED BY SENATORS.
Information Regarding the Dismissal
of Colored Battalion Of 25th
Infantry Wanted.

The meeting Of the Senate today was
marked by the presence Of an unusually
large number of senators. including nearly
all of those who at the close of the last
session went to their homes in unsatisfac-
tory state of health. Senator Depew, as
buoyant as in his palmiest days, entered
the chamber and renewed his acquaintance
with friends, although many of them sup
posed short time ago that the state of
his health was SO poor that he would not
be again among them. Senator Pettus
never looked in better health, and was
placed upon the committee to inform the
President that the Senate had assembled
and was ready to receive the message from
him. 1t has been customary to designate
Senator Morgan for this duty, but by a
mutual understanding the other Alabama
senator was given his place.
Senators Alger, Cullom, Bacon and For
aker were all on the list of those who were
not well when the first session came to a
close, but they were all in their places to-
day in apparently perfect health.
Never before has the assembling of the
Senate brought together a more brilliant
gathering than that which filled the gal
leries at noon. Members of senator's FAM
lilies were present in such numbers that
the galleries reserved for them were far
from being large enough.
unusual occurrence.
The unusual event Of today was the in
PRODUCTION of business in the Senate before
the Presidents message had been received.
1t is customary for the Senate to do moth
ing except to adopt those formal resolu-
tions which are necessary to send COM
mittee to the White House. to inform the
House of Representatives that the Senate is
in session and fix the hour for NEE iag.
TGl1f hay had ha Zoo moi n o.
of Senators Hale, CuHom and Pettus, been
appointed to wait upon the President, when
Senator Penrose was upon his feet with a
resolution calling upon the President, II not
incompatible with the interests of the pub
lie service, to send to the Senate full infor-
nation bearing upon the late discharge of
the three colored companies Of the 18th In
fantry. Senator Foraker was also up with
a resolution directing the Secretary of War
to send all such Information to the Senate,
together with history of the 18th Regi-
ment and various information bearing upol
the dismissal of the colored troops While
Senator Penrose's resolution requested the
information on this subject, that of Sena-
tor Foraker directed the Secretary OF
War to send 1t.
Resolutions Go Over.
Senator Spooner asked for a re-reading Of
the Penrose resolution and Senator Warren
promptly asked that both resolutions go
over to tomorrow, which is the usual pro-
cedure and which was followed in this case.
These resof- lions = 81 form a basis for
an interesting discussion of the powers OF
the President in matters Of this kind. They
will come up tomorrow, at which time, 1t is
understood that Senator Warren, chairman
of the committee on military affairs, will
have them sent to his committee for re-
port.
1t is well-known that among senators
dismissal three NJ
panies of infantry under the circumstances
attending the recent action of the Presi-
dent is regarded as being unwarranted. 1t
is understood that Senator Foraker has
some interes. ling data on this subject which
in due time he will present to the Senate.
There will ne other speakers, both demo-
cratic and republican, who will give their
views on the Presidents action.