The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-26
PUTTING 1T UP TO ROOSEVELT.
CONGRESS TO MAKE A FIGHT ON
THE NEGROES DISCHARGE.
Foraker, IL Is Said. Has More Ammunltion.
which Hell Use In the sonAte-F1ght
10 ne Made On Sanders Reinstate-
ment-The President Is Aroused.

Wnich He'll Use In me SonAto-f1gnt
TO he On sanders's Reinstate-
ment-The President Aroused.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 25.-"I think the
story about what the Preeiden intends
TO do in the matter 10 too silly to discuss.
Please do not ask me to comm emit upon it,
said Senator Joseph B. Foraker Of Ohio
tonight upon his return from New York
when his attention was called to the report
that President Roosevelt would veto any
measure that Congress might pass restor-
ing 20 the service the negro members OF
the Twenty fifth Infantry who were dis
charged without honor from the army
on a charge OF engaging in riotous behavior
at Brownsville, Tex, and that II such a
measure we're passed over his veto he would
refuse to obey it, pending a decision by thu
United States Supreme Court.
Two interpretations may be placel
on this statement Of senator Foraker shovs
quoted: first, that he doubts that h Presi-
dent has assumed the attitude he is said
to have taken; and secondly, that it doesn't
worry the Ohio Senator much. even IL tbs
Presidents position has been accurately
stated in the press reports.
The Ohio Senator is a fghtin 9 man.
The controversy that has developed over
the Brownsville incident gives him an on
p~ortunity to crafty his taste for battle.
Mr.. Foraker absolutely declined Tonight
to enter into any discussion OF his intan-
tons in connection with the case OF the die
charged soldiers when the Senate recon-
venes after the holiday recess. IL il X nown,
however, that he is making preparations
for another speech on his pending resolu-
ton which provides for an investigation
of the whole Brownsville matter by the
Senate Committee on Military Affairs.
Indications are that the Foraker resolu.
ton will he passed early next month. The
Presidents action in sending Milton d.
Purdy, assistant to the Acknowledgement,
to Brownsville % collect evidence upon
which can be based a legal defence Of the
Presidents order has been construed as
evidence that the Administration believes
the resolution will be adopted.
There are limitations that Senator
Foraker didn't use all his ammunition In
the speech he made last week concerning
the Brownsville incident. His friends say
that he may a v a surprise or two in store
for the Administration.
1t is the expectation in Washington that
an ugly situation will develop as "A result OF
the Presidents action and the u~tterances
ascribed TO him relating to the discharged
negro infaHtrymen. The Foraker resolu-
ton promises trouble, and it il known
tina another move will be made in Congress
to test the temper of the President in the
case. -
The President has declared time and
again that in nc circu instances would he
consent to the restoration 10 the army OF
any Of the discharged men unless conclusive
evidence could DO presented justifying
such a step. He has gone even further
than that by permitting himself to be
represented as saying that he would refuss
10 obey the will Of Congress, az expressed
in a bill passed by both houses, until tbs
legality Of such a measure had been passed
upon by the Supreme Court.
A test case will be made, it Is understood,
in behalf of Mingo Sanders, a sergeant in
the Twenty-hfth, a veteran with a fine
record, whose dozen or more honorable
discharges bear testimony to his efficient
service az a soldier and his character as q
man. Sanders served in the army twenty
five years. He saw service in Cuba when
Mr.. Roosevelt was in the island as an offioer
Of the famous Rough Riders. and it is re-
lated that on one occasion Sanders, at the
solicitation Of Col. Roosevelt, furnished
food of which the Rough Riders were very
much in need.
1t is said TO be the programme to intro
duce a bill pro viding that Sanders shall be
cleared and his name restored 10 the rolls
of the army. This will be putting the casa
up to the President with a vengeance.
Nobody who knows the facts believes,
however, that the President will make any
exception for Sanders's benefit.
President Roosevelt is very much stirred
up over the criticisms Of his action in dis
charging the colored troopers without
honor. II is the topic that he discusses
most with visitors to the White Houss
these days, and to every one with whom he
has talked on the subject he has expressed
his unalterable purpose to stand pat.