Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-07
FACTS ARE ASKED FOR
SENATE PASSES TWO RESoLU-
TIoNs OF INQUIRY.

The Senate yesterday afternoon adopted
the Penrose resolution requesting the
President to send information regarding
the discharge of the negro troops Of the
25th Infantry, and also the Foraker reso-
luton directing the Secretary of War to
transmit all information in the possession
of his department on the same subject.
Both resolutions carried an identical
amendment by Mr.. Culberson, asking spe-
officially for the order to Maj. Penrose.
commanding the troops, which directed him
not to turn over to the Texas authorities
certain of the troops demanded.
This action followed a debate of two
hours and was taken without a roll call or
opposing vote. The debate developed along
two distinct lines, one as to the propriety
of asking the President for the informa-
ton or of directing the Secretary of War
to furnish it, and the other an indulgence
by a few senators in comment on the
merits Of the case.
Dispute as to the Facts.
Mr.. Carter observed that '1t had been
alleged and not denied that the troops in
question had committed murder in Texas.
This brought Mr.. Foraker to his feet with
an emphatic disclaimer. This allegation
had been denied. he said, and much evil
dence adduced to support the denial.
been alleged. and not denied. that there
was disturbance participated in by
troops"
That. too. has been denied asserted
We'll" again began Mr. Carter. cit has
been alleged, and not denied, that there
was disturbance"
Mr.. Tillman interrupted to say he had
port from the Secretary of War in which
that official had alleged there was a
disturbance and that ten or twenty of the
troops had shot-up the town Of Browns
vile, Tex"
Mr.. Foraker here produced a printed copy
Of testimony In the case which he had OBJ
tanned at the War Department, extracts
OF which he read to show, as he said, that
q fimsy character" and that no jury 'in
Christendom'' would convict under it.
Mr.. Culberson took the opposite view of
the testimony, but both agreed that with
the unsatisfactory Information" at hand
1t was useless to discuss the case.
Wish of the President.
Mr.. Carter finally secured opportunity to
finish his point, which was in support of
calling on the President for the informa-
tion This was emphasized by Mr. Pen
rose. who said he had introduced his reso-
buttons in the interest of large negro
constituency in Pennsylvania, and mad ad-
action had been by the President, and he
regarded 1t a matter of courtesy to ask
him for the information. He also stateu
that it had seemingly been agreed among
senators that both resolutions be adopted.
Mr.. Foraker read from the testimony
furnished by the War Department. He said
it appeared that murder, misprision of fell
ony and perjury had been committed by
some one. Three crimes, for the punish
ment Of any one of which the Constitution
secured to every man the right of trial be-
fore punishment He did not regard it
from the standpoint of the race question.
The right of the President to dismiss a man
from the army was also involved. If he
could dismiss a man he could dismiss a
company, regiment, brigade, and, in
fact, on the same theory, the whole army.
Mr.. Foraker admitted. at the suggestion
Of Mr.. Warren, that the President under
the law. had the right to increase or de-
crease the army within certain maximum
and minimum limits.
During the debate the report was cur
rent among senators that the President
felt 1t would be. a matter of courtesy if
the resolution should be addressed to him
self, and so strong, it was said, was this
feeling on his part that he hao intimated
that unless this course was taken there
would be no response.