Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-01-16
SENATOR'S CLASH OVER
BROWNSVILLE AFFAIR

Washington, Jan. 14.-Senator Mall
lory told the senate today that he
could see no benefit in the proposed
senate investigation of the Browns
VILE affair. as the evidence submitted
by the president was enough to con-
vict the soldiers. However, he could
not oppose the inquiry
The bullets and cartridge shells sent
to the senate Mr.. Mallory said, would
add greatly TO the strength of the
presidents case
In addition to the evidence, he
maintained that the detestation of the
negro soldiers by the citizens of
Brownsville furnished the motive,
They were not allowed liberty out of
the fort after o'clock at night and
were not served at bar rooms. Mr.
Mallory digressed to call attention to
what he regarded as the best illustra-
ton that could be given of the in
competency of the negro to grapple
with great questions His illustration
was the criticism of the president by
4 Bcglo mass meeting at Boston.
Mr.. Clay of Georgia took the floor
as he said, to reply to the sweeping
charge against the prominent people
Of the south made on Saturday by
Senator Patterson An injustice had
been done t. his state and other
southern states, when the senator
from Colorado had said the public
men of the south were in favor of
mobs and lynch law.
Mr.. Patterson disclaimed making
any such sWeeping statement.
Mr.. Clay. however believed the rec
ord would bear out what he had said.
lie admitted that there We're differ
ences of opinion on the question of
negro suffrage, but many states be-
sides those in the south had restricted
suffrage.
He disclaimed any intention to dis
cuss the race question, saying that
he did not want to mOnopolize sub
iect belonging exclusively to my good
friend from South Carolina (Mr.
Tillman)
This stirred Mr. Tillman to activity,
and Mr.. Clay was holly questioned as
he proceeded to defend the president
on his Brownsville record.
Mr.. Tlllman insisted he could not
get away from the fundamental prin-
clple that every man charged with a
crime should have a fair trial. Il
say" he continued, that the president
has been drelict, he transcribed his
authority and was untrue to duties
Of his office in not holding the troops
of the army until he had exhausted
every means to ascertain the guilty
ones"
Mr.. CLAY held that a court martial
would have resulted in nothing. He
Insisted that the evidence Of the for
mer escapades of DIS regiment iusu-
fled their discharge. That they were
\ not u nKtn ID as the result of any
II - .6us offenses. Mr. Tiilman
int rrupted to say, was evidence that
the president and the secretary OF
war were ignorant of the character
of the negroes
Again announcing his adherence to
the principles of liberty. Mr.. Tillman
said he did not allow such prejudices
or feeling to prevent him from de-
manding justice.
Mr.. Clay placed himself on record
as endorsing the presidents action
and said he believed he voiced the
sentiment of a majority of the people
Of Georgia.
Mr.. Bacon had the clerk read q
newspaper clipping announcing thai
II cited a precedent for the presidents
action. 1t told of the dismissal OF d
company Of the South Carolina ma.
tional guard by Mr.. Tillman, ther
governor. because they refused tt
obey orders during the disturbance
over the enforcement of the liquor
law.
Mr.. Tillman explained the occur
renee declaring the men of the com
pany in question were band bo'
soldiers, who wanted their uniforms
and brass buttons to help them Will
the girls.
Mr.. Pacon said he thought both th'
senator and the president had done
right.
Senator spooner. remarked that HI
presumed that this South Caroline
company was white company
otherwise. "the senator would hav'
had them lynehed."
Mr. Spooner said he would have
very great contempt for himself II h.
could not discuss the questions In
volvcd without reference TO the colo
Of the troops. II was, he said onl.
logal questions that could be involved
Mr.. Spooner denounced the criticism
which had been made of the Twenty
fifth infantry, both In the letter o
Senator Culberson protesting agains
sending the negro troops to Browns
ville and by Mr. Tillman.
MI Tillman stated that he had no
criticized the whole regiment. II
added there were many good negroes
As this seemed to surprise Nj
Spooner. Mr.. Tillman added that h
had good negroes working for hin
thirty years, and he believed ther