The Washington herald., 1907-01-17


son. Of Texas ~In that case presume
the Senator viii accord the privilege"
Il think Il is altogether likely that l
viii say something that will require an
answer" reterted Mr. Foraker. Some
how l feel ike / would say something
Of that kind"
Proceeding with his pseech. the Ohio
Senator warmed to his task, speaking
with great force and earnestness. He
said he had not been 50 much exercised
over the form Of the resolution as he was
that the men who had been branded be-
fore this country az muTderers be given
a chance TO be heard in their Own de-
tense.
Where comes this objection from
Senators. to the form Of TINS resolution 4:
Whence comes this talk about interfeT-
ence by Congress with an executive actT'
The OHIO Senator proceeded 10 illustrate
by reading with dramatic effect the word
ing 0f the resolutions introduced by him
self and Senator PenrOse. of Pennsylva-
MIA. when the Brownsville matter FIRST
came up in Congress. These called tor
the facJs and The correspondence CON
nected with the discharge OF the troops %
The Senators VINO are now declaring
on the floor that We have no right 10
inquire into the discharge Of these men
were among those who voted for the res
olution calling for the facts connected
with the discharges, said the OHIO Sena-
tor. Why did the Senate want the facts
II there had been no men discharged,
there would have been no resolutions
here"
Turning 10 Mr.. SpoOner, Of Wisconsin,
who had made an exhaustive speech COW
ering two days in defense Of the Presi-
dent right TO discharge the troops and
denying the right o. Congressman To in
quire into the matter OF The discharge
because IL was purely an Executive act,
the Ohio Senator read Mr.. SpOOners re-
marks upon the Foraker and PenrOse
resolutions, made at the time they were
being considered By the Senate.
Now, the newspapers SAID at the time
that the President had approved the res
Olution OF the Senator from Pennsyiva-
mia, said Mr.. Foraker. But Mr..
SpoOner az the time had approved the
Foraker resolution in preference 70 that
offered by Mr.. Penrose. for the reason
il admitted Of no doubt OF the right Of
Congress in time Of peace 10 inquire
into every detail Of the management OF
the army
All eyes were directed upon Mr..
SpOoner, who arose and said:
Il would not now change a word OF
what / said then, even If / had the
power"
The Ohio Senator remarked that the
sensitiyeness Of certain Senators over the
form Of the resolution had appeared only
recently
Il am not seeking TO embarrass the
President" exclaimed Mr.. Foraker. Il
am trying 10 assist the President
He explained that there could be no
higher duty OF the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs than TO investigate the
facts of the Brownsville affray, and give
the accused soldiers an opportunity 20
appear and acquit themselves. If possible,
Of the charge. And # il shall be shown,
said he. "as l think it will be, that they
are innocent, the President ought 10 vel
come the opportunity TO restore these
men 10 their places in the army. ! would
think the President would welcome such
an opportunity II he would not, he is
not the man I think he Is. And II he
would not. he IS the orly man In the
United States. in my judgment. who
would not under the circumstances. I
believe the President has been imposed
upon in this matter. and when il IS
shown. as I believe il viii be shown, that
he has been imposed upon I believe he
Will agree with me"
Al this point It was suggested by Mr.
Spooner and agreed that the matter
should go over until tomorrow. when Mr..
Foraker will conclude. and the resOlU-
tiOns will be passed.