Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-15

that was anonymous 1 sent for him. I have
no objection to putting that letter in evil
So When this matter came up l asked
that Mr. Black of the Constitutional League
take charge of the case in the interests Of
these soldiers. 1 did not want to do it,
But the committee said that il wanted me
to do it and l consented.
Foraker Assumes Responsibility.
Senator Foraker added that he wanted it
understood that he had sent Ferguson to
Brownsville on his own responsibility and
at his own expense.
The Constitutional League" said Sen
ator Foraker has had nothing to do with
it. 1t does not know anything about these
people, one way or the other
Senator Foster said that he wanted to
learn from the witness whether he had any
understanding with Ferguson as to what
he was to swear to, whereupon Mr.. For
aker promptly propounded the following
question:
"Hav" You had any conference with any
one abcut what you are to swear to be-
fore this committee?'
No sir, l have not"
Did you know before coming here what
questions would be asked your
mo sir. did not
Senator Warren said that he took it for
granted that 1T was the right of Senator
Foraker to see these witnesses and talk
to them before they went on the stand.
Senator Foster stated that he went much
further than that. saying that in his opin-
Ion 1t was the right of any senator on the
committee to talk to the witnesses if they
desired to do so.
Senator Warner added that if the Con-
stitutional League thinks it has been treat.
ed unfairly: it has right to take any part
it pleases in talking to witnesses.
Senator Warmers Participation.
Personally added Senator Warner, 1.-The
part 1 have taken in this investigation has
not been Of my own seeking. 1 should like
to have got away from Washington. What
l have done has been at the request of the
committee. have talked with no witnesses,
and yet If 1 had found it necessary to un-
derstand what the testimony would be,
would be at perfect liberty to do so.''
He added that he did not see how Sena-
tor Foraker could conduct the examination
in chief without talking fully to the wie
nesses.
Senator Warren said that Senator War
ner's part in the examination had been
taken at the request of himself as chair
man of the committee. after consulting
members of the committee only. There had
never BEEN he said, a suggestion made out
side of this committee as to the conduct of
the case.
Senator Foraker remarked that the COM
mittee had put the case in good hands in Sc
1ecting Mr.. Warner.
Il have met a good many lawyers" re-
ma rked Senator Foraker. but I have never
met smoother examiner than Senator
Warner"
Il have left my leather medals at home, -
responded Senator Warner, smiling.
Feeling Against the Negroes.
The first witness today was Corporal Jno.
G. Rimmel of Company M, 26th Infantry,
now stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
He testified concerning the rough handling
of soldiers by policemen and others at
Brownsville. He had had no trouble him
self with these policemen.
Senator Overman asked whether if other
soldiers had behaved as he did they would
have become involved in trouble there.
No. / believe not replied the corporal.
Private Frank Fisher of the Goth Regi-
ment who, as we'll as Rimmel was a cook
for Company NJ. testified as did Rimmel
that man named Moore from Miler's Ho-
tel came to the barracks to buy surplus
fruits, and in speaking of the colored regi-
ment coming there said:
Il am sorry to lose you, boys. We don
want the niggers and We will get rid of
them
Gambling Experiences.
Private William Jacob Rape, formerly of
the Goth Infantry, who had received his
discharge on the 9Th of this month, after
being in the army two years and six
months. proved most entertaining witness,
talking with the greatest freedom about his
life in Brownsville.
He told of his experiences in gambling
houses and when Senator Overman re-
minded him that the laws of Texas forbid
gambling replied that the gambling was
going on in public all the time. Asked If
the police ever saw this gambling in prog
ress Rape replied:
why, have gambled with policeman
there myself.
When questioned as to the name of this
policeman, he said that he only knew him
as the Chief of the Cactus" He knew
no other name.
He gave a vivid account of gambling
brawl in which he and another soldier won
money at roulette from a couple of other
men, When these strangers saw that
they were being beaten one Of them pulled
out a gun and the witness caught him by
the throat. There was general scramble
and the other soldier received some bad
bruises wi ich covered him with blood. Then
they all tumbled in together and the po-
licemen came and arrested the other SOL
der. but let the man go who pulled the
gun. Then the witness was also arrested
and he and his friend were fined.
The witness was questioned about the va
rious gambling devices in vogue in Browns
vile, and said that he had not only gam
bled there. but had gambled in every other
city that he had ever been in.
He seemed to be astonshed to learn
that gambling was against the law any
where. He told of conversations he had
fed that he had been in nearly hundred
such shaeks. He was asked whether he
had ever associated with respectable peo-
pie in Brownsville and answered:
81 couldn't get in with respectable peo-
pie" he replied. They didn't have any
use for soldier"
He testified that his favorite beverage
was beer, but that he drank whisky also
He said he would gamble when he had any
money
Senator Foster-'What is your favorite
gambling gamer
Poker" responded the witness, prompt
ly.
He had played crap on the barracks porch
and when asked whether that was allowed
said that they played on the back porch,
where the officers couldn't see Them
Senator Overman-''Do they gamble in
other towns?'
When the Alarm Sounded.
The last witness on the stand before re-
cess was taken was Macias G. Camayo, a
Mexican employed in collecting the refuse
of the barracks at night. Camayo was In
the rear of barracks D at II clock on the
night of August -. collecting the contents
OF ash cans when he heard two pistol shots.
Everything was quiet in the barracks. He
M lights pyceDf aDpareuflV coming