Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-12-07
ASKS THE PRESIDENT
Congress Takes Up Dismissal
 of Negro Infantrymen.
MORGAN TALKS OK PANAMA CANAL


 LittleAeld Pilotage Bnl Defeated Tn
 House by Vote of no to 16A-say
 American Federation of La- bor Dia It.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The sen. ate adopted the Penrose resolution re Quirlng the president to send in infor- nation regarding the discharge of the negro troops of the Twenty-ffth infan- try and also the Foraker resolution di- recting the secretary of war to trans init all information in the possession of his department on the same sub ject. Both resolutions carry an identi- cal amendment by Mir. Culberson ask ing specifically for the order to Major Penrose. commanding the troops, which directed him not to turn over to the Texas authorities certain of the troops demanded.
 This action, following debate of two hours, was taken without roll call or opposing vote. The debate de veloped along two distinct lines. one as to the prorrley of asking the presi- dent for the information or of direct ing the secretary of war to furnish it and the other an indulgence by few senators in comment on the merits of the case
 Mir. Spooner who opened the dis cussion, took the ground that in mat ters where congress had an absolute right to information in the possession of the executive it had always been customary to direct cabinet officer to furnish it. In matters where it had not this right and in which there was some doubt about the advisability of publicity, congress usually made re- quest upon the president if 1t desired the information, with the understand ing that it should be furnished If not incompatible with the public interest" This view was supported also by Mir. Foraker, while Mir. Lodge quoted prec- edents to the contrary.
 MT. Foraker read at length the tes- timony furnished by the war depart ment. He said it appeared that mur- der, misprison of felony and perjury had been committed by some one three crimes. for the punishment of any one of which the constitution se- cured to every man the right of trial before punishment. He did not regard it from the standpoint of race question. The right of the president to dismiss . man from the army was also involv- ed. If he could dismiss a man he could dismiss company, regiment, brigade and, in fact, on the same theory. the whole army. Mir. Foraker admitted, at the suggestion of Mir. Warren, that the president under the law had the right to increase or de- crease the army within certain maxi mum and minimum limits.
 Senator Morgan (Ala) devoted two hours to the discussion of his resolu- ton to secure the control of the Pana- ma railroad by the isthmian canal commission. No action was taken.
 A term of six years for the president and the vice president of the United States was proposed by Senator Gull lom in a joint resolution introduced in the senate and house providing for an to the constitution. The resolution declares also that the presi- dent and vice president shall not be eligible for reelection.
 The Littlefeld pilotage bill to- re- move discrimination against American sailing vessels In the coasting trade was defeated fin the house-110 to 164. Mir. Humphrey Cwash.) supported the bill. Mir. Mann Qll) asked if the bill was not selfish to degree. and Mir. replied it was selfish in fa- vor of American vessels and that the middle west seemed to want no legis. lation except that which affects the 
 The result of the vote was a surprise to the friends of the measure. who openly charged it's defeat to the Amer ican Federation of Labor.