The Washington herald., 1906-12-06
GETTING THE FACTS
Negro Troops to Have Their
Record Known.
SHARP DEBATE IN THE SENATE
senator Foraker Presses the Fight
in Behalf of the Men, but Is
over Until senator PenFOse Re-
tHrns-President to Be Criticised.

The Senate dealt with the discharge OF
the cOlored troops of the Twenty-fifth In
fantry yesterday for half an hour, in a
temper that confirmed the general ex-
pectation that sooner or later the action
Of the President, in Furnishing these men,
will be severely criticised
II was a case of Senator Foraker
against the field, as the taking up of the
resolution called on the Secretary of War
for many details of information going to
show the property rights of the dis
charged men under the military laws OF
the country.
Senator Hale was on his feet to move
an executive session to proceed at once
with consideration of the Aigeciras
treaty, when Senator Foraker called up
his resolution. He asked that ii be
amended, so as to call for the form Of
discharge employed when the men We're
put out Of the service. Senator Warren
offered a resolution, combining the Pen
rose resolution and that Of Senator For
aker in one, which he desired to have
referred to the Military Committee, of
which he is chairman.
This Senator Foraker opposed. I do
not want TO bother the President about
this said he. THE Secretary Of War
has the information that we want TO get,
and I DO not see any good reason for
calling on the President for it. / want
the information without regard to any
bOdy's opinion as 10 its compatibility
with public interests. The matter is
wholly impersonal.
I'VE want nothing but the facts. And
I u or <
viii likely be discussed a good deal, and
We cannot go wrong in getting all the
facts"
Senator Lodge asked that the matter
go over because Of the absence Of Sena-
tor Penrose. who was first to bring the
matter before the Senate. Senator Knox
objected to unanimous consent when
Foraker asked that his resolution be, in
its modified form, placed before the Sen
ate as an independent proposition.
Senator Warren renewed his suggestion
that the resolutions be referred 10 the
Military Affairs Committee, which he said
would meet IN the afternoon TO take them
up. Senator Culberson then offered an
amendment to Mr.. Foraker's resolution,
which the latter accepted directing the
Secretary of War TO furnish the Senate
copies of the order or orders sent to the
commander Of the Twenty-fifth Infantry.
Ali tClitlS tlldL o4ltCtI not 10 deliver up TO
the civil authorities of Texas certain men
Of the Twenty-ffth, charged with murder
these orders being the same that were
referred 70 in letter from Maj. PenrOse
10 Maj. Bloxam.
This was the first lead from the Demo-
cratic side Of the chamber and the first
indication from a Southern Senator as
to what course might be pursued by Sen
ators who are opposed TO having negroes
IN the army. Senators Lodge and Spoon |
ct objected to considering the Foraker /
resolution in the absence of Senator Pen /
rose.
Il intend to vote for the resolution of /
the Senator from Ohio" said Senator /
Spooner, but I have never heard Of the /
Senate considering a pending substitute |
and ignoring the subject matter TO which 1
It was offered as a substitute"
Senator Foraker replied that although |
he had moved TO take up his resolution /
over the objection of Senator Knox, he /
would withhold il if he could be assured /
Of the early return Of Senator Penrose. /
Senator Warren. Of Wyoming, thought /
the Pennsylvania Senator would be in /
Washington to-day.
Senator Foraker, who had UP to this /
time fenced most skilfuliy for position, /
yielded 70 the desire to wait until Sena- /
tor Penrose should return. an allowed the |
resolution to 20 over