Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-01-05
NEGRO QUESTION.
Senator culberson Declares u Most
Dangerous Problem

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session was devoted entirely TO the
discussion OF President Rooseveit's or
der dismissing the negro troops OF the
Twenty-fifth infantry for shooting
up" Brownsville. Tex. Senator Cul.
berson defended the order. bringing
TO its support many points OF legal
construction. and justifying the action
by many dispositions taken In connec-
tion with the affray. He closed with
an impassioned statement of the posi-
ton OF the south on the negro ques-
ton. which he declared TO be the most
vital and dangerous problem before
the American people.
Senator Foraker replied briefly. ex-
pressing his intense interest in having
speedy action ON his resolution for an
Investigation.
Senator Lodge proposed an amend
ment to the resolution which has the
effect OF admitting the presidents
authority as commander In chief of
the army TO take the action he did
and OF restricting the resolution to
the occurrence at Brownsville. On
motion OF Senator Hale the resolution
was given right OF way Monday.
To establish the motive actuating
the negro soldiers in creating the nj.
legged disturbance Mr.. Culberson read
resolutions recently adopted by ne
gro citizens OF Bostca which admit
ted that the soldiers shot up the
town." and said they were determin-
ed 10 do for themselves which the uni.
form OF their country would not do
protect them from insult. and punish
at the same time the authors OF their
misery"
Disclaiming any craftsmanship for
the president. Mr.. Culberson created
a wave OF merriment by saying:
Il have nothing TO do with the presi-
dent In this matter. | care nothing
about him. My personal relations
with him are about as cordial as those
OF the senator from Ohio" (Mr. For
aker)
In all fairness. Mr.. Culberson said
the country ought TO know that the
report made TO the president was re-
liable. He read much OF the evidence
In this report 10 sustain his conten-
ton that the soldie<, and not civil
ians. had been res Visible for the
shooting. rcmarking that senator's
might 40 to their luncheon II they did
not want to hear Il.
After reading much OF the testi.
conclusion that the fact that no indlct.
mony taken before the Brownsville
grand jury. Mr.. Culberson drew the
conclusion that the fact that no in
dictment was returned was not evil
dence OF the weakness OF the case.
but rather OF the fairness Of the peo-
pie Of Brownsville. who did not wish |
10 do injustice 10 the innocent. The |
evidence. he contended. proved beyond
doubt that the shooting was done by |
the negro soldiers. but failed TO iden.
tify the guilty ones.
He concluded his speech Of an hour
and half by a brief reference 10 the
negro question In general. saying II
had existed from the early history
OF the country duwn TO the present
time. and still continues TO be the
most important and most dangerous
question which confronts the Ameri.
can people. To-day he said. the con.
dition OF the black race with its
ages OF slavery. its ignorance and
poverty had excited the deepest sym
patty Of the great body OF white PEG
pie OF the south.
Speaking In Tan for the people OF
Texas-and plainn,ss OF speech Isl
best-it Is not p-opsr 10 say that they
have dealt rairiS and generously Win
the negro in all essentials: In eddca.
ton, in charity. In hel'iul SYMPATHY
and in the projections ~ life. liberty
and property. But I wou..a not be
candid with you II did not say that
In other respects their purposes are
resolute and unalterable. They
are opposed 10 political domination
by the ignorant or vicious: they are
opposed 10 social equality with the ne
gro: they are opposed TO every ten
iency that will ultimately be destruct.
We OF the integrity OF the white race.
Aud above all these. however vital
hey may be. there Is that In the testi.
mony In this case and which. 10 q
arge degree. underlies this trouble
which impels me 20 declare even IN ]
his great chamber that they propose
o protect. even with their lives. what
n their womankind Is the immediate
ewel OF their souls"
Senator Foraker at once took the
loor. remarking that Il bellttled the
resent question 10 make II a vehicle 7
or discussing the race question. He
I'D not propose TO discuss that ques-
Ion or the merits OF the Brownsville 7
flair. He wanted his resolution
dopted. which would insure further
nquiry.
An amendment was adopted by Sen
tor Lodge 20 conflne the inquiry by
he committee on military affairs TO
question in regard 10 the conduct
Z the negro soldiers. in that II rec
gnizod that the order was issued by
be president in the exercise OF his
authority as com.
lander I'm chief This would prevent
n inquiry OF constitutional matters
7 the presidents order in Diminishing "
ie troops.
Mr.. Lodge asked that the further
Iscussion OF the question be post. :
,nsd until Monday on account OF his
ability TO speak because OF a sore
Iroat Agreed TO
Oct. 10 Date.
New York. Jan. 3.-Cortlandt Field