Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-04-11

railroads engaged in interstate COM
merce, for l was among the first to
advocate such a measure. but because
the Hepburn law, passed at the first
ticular was both unconstitutional and
unnecessary and that 1t was a long
and serious step in the wrong direc-
ton as a matter of public policy.
"There was one matter, however,
about which I have taken a differenk
view from the president. I refer to
the discharge without honor of Com
panies B, c and D of the 25th infantry.
on account OF the shooting affair at
Brownsville Texas. This was an Incl
dent, not a policy.
Explains Brownsville Affair.
TT was charged-and the president
made to believe-that certain of the
assault upon the sleeping women and
children of Brownsville. That they had
shot up" the town, as the expression
goes, and that they had killed one mar
and wounded another and put in jeu.
pard the lives of many. He believed
others of the battalion knew and refui-
ed to disclose the identy of the men.
AS a result he ordered the whole bat
TALON dismissed without honor tn :
innocent and the guilty alike; the guilty
because they were guilty. the innocent
because they could not be distinguish
ed from the guilty.
"These men had been given no OPP
portunity to be heard It seemen to
me that no man in this country was so
humble that he should not be given
day in court some where, or some
Tense, confront his accusers, and re
flute their testimony against him an6
especially should soldiers have the
benefit of such a hearing
IT believed that this was their right
under the constitution. I did not be-
mander in chief of the army, had the
power to deprive them of this right.
Great Constitutional Question.
ut was with me simply a great,
broad question of constitutional power
on the one hand and constitutional
right on tn other. I have always up
held the Negroes rights under the con-
stitutiOn and the laws. The investt
cation has been in progress. 1t is mt
yet completed. l would prefer not to
speak of the results unlli they have
been fully determined; but challeng-
aH 7 Jn Itat
that the testimony so far taken justi-
fies the investigation. I cannot mere
and now analyze the testimony but
it is enough tao say that the evidence
already taken warrants the belief that
not a man in that battalion fired a
gun. I do not believe any testimony
can be secured that will refute any
thing that has been established. BY
running through all this contention
there is found another broad and i'm
portant question. What is the office
of a senator? Is he a mere agent to
register the will of somebody else, or
is he supposed to have opinions of his
own with liberty to stand for them in
debs#e and when he voted? If he be
a mere agent why have we always
tried to select for this great office mel
men of ability and high character?
Anybody could follow somebody else.
And why, if q senator have no liberty
of action, should he be held account
able for the record he makes? and If
there is to be no difference of opinion.
why have any discussion. or in fact
why have any senae or house?
Accountable to the Peoule.
L have always understood and
thought that representatives of the
oeople are only accountable to tn
people; that they are not properly
subject to any other influences and for
/ that reason I stand where I am ev'-r
ready to render to my constituents an
account of my stewardship
TT is their right to have tit Is
my duty to give it, and If they are dis
satisfied they have remedy for that
dissatisfaction in their own hands
But while conceding the right of every
body else to differ from me. deny thu
the right of anybody except my con-
stituents, to call me to account. But
while / will thus submit my cause tt
the people and abide their judgment
will not submit to the dictation OF
threats or menaces of any kind boss
big or little, inside or outside of tn
stae. Never will acquiesce withou'
protest in what I do not approve. nj
matter nv whom 1t may be proposed.
Cocluding the senator said: I'VE car
be proud also of the honor and integri
ty of the business men of this country
What they most need today is not 81
much an increased surveillance ant
guardianship OF law as that liberty o
action and trust and confidence Il
protection under the law which the
always have heretofore nejoyed.
bad men and bad corporations an
trusts there are and always hav
been and always will be, but also Their
Is a lawfor their prevention and pun