The Cairo bulletin., 1906-12-04
SENATORS ASK
FOR AN INQUIRY.
RESOLUTIONS FOR iNVESTlGA-
TION OF NEGROES DIS
CHARGE ARE PRESENTED
.SYORT SESSION IS HELD
At the Opening Of the Fifty-Ninth
Congress-No Action to Be
Taken Until Presidents
Message is Read.

ninth congress began its last session
at noon today. II took the senate Is
minutes to arrange its preliminaries
and the house an hour The senate
received from President Roosevelt a
long list of appointments for con-
frmation and in its executive ses
sion of 19 minutes decided to make
no confirmation until the president S
message had been received and the
session fairly started
Senators Penrose, of Pennsylvania,
and Foraker, of Ohio, came forward
with resolutions or inquiry regarding
the discharge of negro troops of the
Twenty fifth Infantry. One was ad-
dressed to the president, the other to
the secretary of war. After the ripple
of surprise had passed the vice-presi-
dent suggested it was unusual to
transact any business until the presi
dents message ahd been received the
resolutions went over by unani
nous consent.
Broader Than Race Question.
Senator Foraker in an interview
tonight explained the purpose of his
resolutions
"The resolution speaks for Itself"
he said. Il cannot discuss it. | will
say however that have no purpose
of raising the race question The
question involved Is broader. 1t
would be unfortunate to have it mar.
rowed down by drawing the color
line. 1t concerns white as well as
colored soldiers. 1t is a question of
power on the one hand
and constitutional and statutory
rights on the other
Until we have. "a complete record
do not know just what questions
win arise but we may have to CON
slider whether man can be con
,icted of felony by order, and whe'
her, following such conviction sen
ence may be imposed and punish
ment may be imposedW-td m
nent inflicted by order. Discharges
without honor may be granted where
hey are not based on an offense
against The law of the land, the com
mission Of which is denied
Senator Dupon, OF Delaware, took
he oath Of office.
The opening of the two houses was
Witnessed by animal cd throngs which
illed the galleries to their capacity. |
went away di appointed in
lot gaining admission to witness the
essiOn of either the senate or the |
ouse.
Death Causes Many New Members.
Not in years has a larger number |
# members-elect of the lower house !
PRESENTED themselves at the speak |
RS desk to take the oatn. Death has |
een unusually active among the |
during the closing days |
# the last session and the beg ming !
f the present and Chaplain Couden |
eelingly called attention TO the work |
{ the grim reaper since adjournment. |
Speaker Cannon appointed Mann. I
( Illinois. a member Of the Board of
iegents. of the Smithsonian Institute. |
ice Hit. of Illinois. deceased.
The galleries OF the houses were
rowded at an carry hour. The alb
cnce of flowers from desks Of men,
ers was much commented on but
he order of the speaker prohibiting
ny floral display was generally com
iended for it's good sense. A similar
ule was made in the senate two
ears ago.
Mrs. Nicholas LonGworth, daughter
+ the president. occupied a seat in
ne executive gallery. accompanied
y Miss Hagner. social secretary to
~ wife Of the president.
The routine work of the house. Incl
ent to opening day was quickly dis
atched, the roll call showing nearly
lree hundred members present.
Have a Laugh On Cochran.
Cochran, of New York. who recent
+ married Miss Ide. was the subject
T hearty laughter when his personal
quest that be be permitted 20 alb
mt himself for an indefinite period
. account of business. was laid b.
~ tho house by the speaker
After the appointment of the usual
,mmittce to wait upon the president /
nd inform MIN that the house was
-ganized and ready to receive am I
,mmunicati0n he might desire to
.,l~o of fufaroet fo tho uuh1fr uor-
ce. The house adjourned out Of re
)ect to the memory Of deceased
smbcr=.
The pres dents message will be re-
lived in both houses tomorrow No
us were introduced in the senate.
the house there we're s. public
easures and $50 Of private character
resented
]