The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-01-17
JUSTlFIES REMOVAL
OF NEGRO SOLDIERS
President Submits to Senate More
Evidence of Brownsville ARRAY.
ACTED WITH FULL LEGAL POWER
IN Special Message Mr. Roosevelt Re-
fors to Dismissed Negroes as Mid
nlqht Assassins," and Is Convinced
Of Conspiracy TO Shield Them.

tcfS 10 OlSUlSocu NSVIOSo 90 WV
niaht Assassns," and Is Convinced
Of Conspiracy to Shield Them.
Washington. Jan. To- - President
Roosevelt sent to the senate a special
message regarding the Hrownsville
incident. which gives the additional
evidence collected by Assistant Attor-
noy General purdy and Major Block
som. who were sent "a Texas by the
president to investigate the affair.
The president submitted with his mes
snrc ynrinus exhibits. including maps
nr brownsville and Fort Brown. ban
dolvcr. 81 empty shells, seven ball
cartridges picked mp in the streets
IA few hours after the shooting; three
st,cl n,ketcd bullets and some scraps
of the castings of other bullets picked
ont or tho houses into which they had
been Aired
The president declares that the ey-
idcncc is positive that the outrages OF
Aurust lg we're committed by some OF
the colorcd troops that nave been dis
missed. aud that some or all OF the
members of the three companies OF
the 18th infantry had knowledge
of the deed and have shielded
the guilty persons The negro
troops are referred to by the pr'sr
dent in his message as midnight
assassins." and ne declares that very
rew if any OF the soldiers dismissed
without honor" could have been ignn-
rant of what occurred. That part
inf the order which bars the soldiers
from all civil employment under the
government is revoked by the presi-
dent This clause the president SAYS.
was lacking in validity The discharg'
GA troops however. will be forever
barred from re-cnlisting in the army
or navy. and as TO this the president
saws that there is no doubt OF my
constitutional and legal power.
The president reiterates his former
statement tnat the facts not only war
ranted his action. they demanded IT,
and made such an order imperative.
The failure to take the dismissal ac-
lion would have found him false 10
his duty TO the nation.
He adds further that his action can
not be reversed or even reviewed save
bv another executive order. The con-
sututlon so provides.
Secretary Tafts report. giving the
sworn testimony Of witnesses, is trans
mitted with the message The testi-
mony OF Il eve witnesses Is given, and
the president declares that the eNi-
dence Is conclusive that the weapons
used were Springfield rifles now used
by United states troops. including the
negro troops who were in the garrison
AZ Brownsville.
Senator Mallory. indorsing the ac-
ton Of the president opened the dis
cussion. lie held that the president
might have gone too far in prevent
ing the re-enlistment OF the soldiers
involved. but otherwise he approved
the presidents order OF discharge.
When Senator Clay. who followed.
took the floor the debate was given
lively turn by Mr.. Tillman's Interrupt
tons
Mr.. Clay said the people OF Georgia
heartily indorsed the presidents or
der. Senator Bacon followed with what
ne said was reported as precedent
for the Brownsville order in the dis
charge of the company OF South Caro-
lima National Guardsmen by Senator
fillman when he was governor This
involved Senator Tillman again in the
debate
Senator SpOOner was in the midst
of a constitutional discussion OF the
authority of the president in the case
when adjournment was taken. Sena-
tor SpOOner urges that when the pres
ident exercises his powers as comman-
der-in-chief OF the army the senate
has no Jurisdiction He also contend
ed that congress has no power 10 leg
islate specifically to restore the sol
diers discharged in the present case,
declaring that review can only be had
by Impeachment proceedings. which
must originate in the house of repre-
sentatives.
Several senators have indicated that
they intend to discuss the question,
and the Brownsville debate is, there
fore. likely to absorb the attention OF
tha epnate for several DAYS