The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-16
FORAKEP
 PAID AGENTS Had Man Gathering
 Testimony. DOUBTS AS TO HIS RACE Ohio Senator Believes His Employe
 Was a Mulatto. Said in Explanation That He Hsd Been Informed of Important Evi-
 dcnce at Post and Sent
 Emissary.

Washington, March 15.--That Sona- tor Foraker is gathering evidence at his own expense in defense of former negro soldiers who were discharged from the army for alleged complielty tn the shooting up" of Brownsxille. was disclosed today in a sharp claah between members of the Senate Cont mittee on Military Affairs which is in~ vestigatIng the Brownsville aifray,
 Senators Overman. Foster and War ner had piled a number Of witnesses with questions as to whom they hAd talked with before coming to WaFh- ington to testify. These witnesses com fessed that they had been interviewed by man named Ferguson as to what they knew concerning the Brownsvllla affair and the Senators named then displayed an active interest iii Fergu- son's mission and as to whether he was n white man or a negro.
 The witness seemed to Dc in donhk and none was willing to swear to his race. Again and again witnesses were asked if Ferguson was white or black and this form of questioning was ta7 ken up when Corporal John l, Rimrness & cook of company M.. 2sth Infantrgs was recalled today Tor cross exanii~ nation.
 During the inquiry Senator Foraixeg sat silent until the question seemta to raise some doubt as to whether the witness was telling the truth conceyn~ ing hts acquaintance with Fergusons and the senator interrupted. saying
 Forntxer Admits Sending Man.
 "FerguHon went down to Fort sam Houston at my expense. I received an anonymous letter giving the names oA several persons said to have valuable Information that might be of value in this inquiry. Those persons wera said to be at Fort Sam Houston and sent Ferguson down there to taik with them and found out what they knew. If any one suspects that thc manner of conducting this exarrtna- ton In handling of witnesses is nat Ss 1t should be. would like to take tte stand and make an explanatton.'
 Senators Warner, Overman and Foss ter hastened to assure senator Foraks CT that they had no criticism to oher of the course he had pursneB and ex- pianatIon was made that since it had beea indicated that the Constitnti0nHt League had secured afidavits from men which the same men denied on befn@ put on the stand. the examination here was to determine whether Ferguson was a representative of that league.
 Assurance was given by senator Foraker that Ferguson had no con- nection with the Constitutional Lea&un and Senator oyerman asked laugh ingly:
 well, is he negro or white manP'
 q don't know. I think he Is mil. latto, replied Senator Foraker.
 senRtor In Doubt.
 He thsn withdrew the remark fol the reason, he said. that he was fn doubt and did not want to give offense The Senator then explained that lts had been assigned by the committees t.. tsta Inn mi the witness and that he had not sought the appointment
 "I insisted that former Governor Black of New York. who was engaged by the Constitutional League 10 de- mand these negro soldiers should com duct the examination.' added Mir For aker. You did not want him. and that Is the way came to be designatS ed. As to Ferguson. want it under stood now. for all time. that ] employed him myself. and did t at my own expense.
 Rimmers testimony and that of Frank Fisher. also cook of Company M, was to the effect that they had frequently heard citizens of Browns Vile make remarks derogatory to ha negro soldiers, after the order was is- sued to send them to Fort Brown.
 Former Private William J. Rappe of Company M. 25th infantry. gave amus- Ing testimony CohtcThliiB HIS HADeTA-i ence in Brownsville. He said he had gambled with the police and had been arrested by them after beating them at roulette.
 A companion of his. the witness said, beat a policeman at roulette, and the policeman then beat him over the head with a six-shooter and then took him to jail. Unimportant testimony was given by Martias M Tomeyo, the scaycngcr at Fort Brown.