The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-01-22

phase of President Roosevelts dis
charge Of the negro troops was again
injected into the controversy in the
senate today by notice of an amend
ment 10 the Foraker compromise resu-
luton which Senator Blackburn said
he should press. The amendment
offered expressly disclaims any Inten-
ton TO question or deny the legal
right Of the president 10 discharge
without honor enlisted men of the
United States.
Senator Foraker at once declared mis-
opposition TO the amendment. He dis
cusSed the power of the executive. hold
ing that the affray at BrownviIle ought
TO be investigated simply as TO the
facts, and the question of power deter
mined later if il should arise as the
previous utteranCes, maintaining the
result OF the inquiry. He revie wed ms
same position in every respect. He
replied TO arguments which have been
made his first speeches. especial
~ those of Senator'S Spooner and Knox.
he defended the 25th infantry, review
ing the "escapados' il is charged win,
expressing some establishment that the
record furnished the senate by the war
department in this particular was not
complete II stating hat in response
TO his request it had been supplement-
ed by information which was decided
ly favorable TO the regiment.
consideration Of the resolution was
deferred until Monday at the conclu-
sion OF Mr.. FOraker's address.
After Senator Foraker concluded ms
speech a number the republican SEN
ators met in informal conference and
made effort to agree upon the pro-
with reference t. hat meas
ure. So far as they could do so they
agreed that all republicans senators
should vote against the Blackburn
amendment uphoiding the PRESIDENT
authority in the discharge OF the negr,A
troops. I
Senator Lodge will withdraw hiE
substitute for the Foraker resolution
announcing that he considers that the
Foraker resolution in it's present form
covers the same ground as his own.
Senator Aldrich today announced his
intention of Offering an amendment 10
N~ ANA~ DiON IOI
the extension of the investigation ID
the charge that the southern states
discriminate against negro soldiers. II
such an amendment should prevail II
would lead TO an investigation Of the
entire race question, and before leav-
ing for New York at 4 o'clock the
Rhode Island senator said that he had
about changed his mind on the SUD-
in1f onI ---IniI. -
amendment.
The republican leaders accept the
Blackburn amendment as a political
movement and most of them express
the opinion that it is the result Of "A
democratic conference. This Senate
Blackburn denies, but he says in APP
parent confidence that il Will hav,<
practically the unanimous support 0.
democratic senator's.
The amendment Is not the result Of
a caucus" he said, but II has generai
enforcement" He says ne will press
10 a vote.
The republicans are trying to get
an unanimous agreement to lay the
amendment on the table, but some re-
publican senator express a disinclfna-
ton TO pursue that course because thew
fear il would be construed as a reflec-
ton on the president. There is talk Of
a caucus if later developments should
make one advisable. Several senator's
advocate an amendment along the
lines suggested by Mr.. Aldrich, say
ing in the language Of a western seua-
tor that ii would have the effect OF
"debaturiZing" the Blackburn provi-
sion. For the present the intention OF
the republican managers is TO confne
their efforts TO holding back debate
and to await developments. They ex-
press confidence in their ability TO 80
shape the matter that IL will embarrass
the democrats more than the republi-
cans. Senator Tillman does not stand
with the supporters OF the Blackburn
amandp1apr