Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-01-04
CULBERTsOA SIDES
WITH PRESIDENT
Says That Ihs Dismissal Of The
Negro Troops Was Per.
fsct|y Unsuitable.
FORAKER, OF COURSE, TALKS AGAIN
He Didn't Want to But. Finally Con-
sented to Defer FinaI Action on His
Resolution Till Mex. Monday, When
Senator Lodge VIII Defend Roose.
>veIt's Course.
tRy Associated Press !

WASHINGTON. d. c., Jan. a.
Soon after the Senate met today SEN
ator Foraker's resolution providing
for nm inquiry by the Senate into the
discharge of the negro troops of the
Twenty-fifth infantry ON account of
the Brownsville, Tex. episode, was
laid before the Senate and Senator
Culbertson made an address on the
subject. He said that he would have
kept quiet. but for the fact that n
great injustice had been done to the
people of Texas. Senator Culbertson
said that the conduct of the negro
soldiers had very irritating effect on
the brownsville people and especially
on the women. He related that on
August 4 last. the day before the
shooting mp of the town. n criminal
assault had been committed by one
of the soldiers on the wife of re-
putable citizen and said that an mr..
rest had been made for the crime.
Mr.. Culbertson defended Captain
Mcdonald of the Texas Rangers, to
whom Mr.. Foraker had referred be.
cause of Major Blocksom's reference
to him MS n man who was 80 brave
that he would not hesitate to triarge
hell with bucket Of water" Mr..
OhibSi toOI ttiso Sultl tIiit lie KNEW NH
for Blocksom to be n gentleman. In
defending President Roosevelt for his
dismissal of the troops, Mr. Culbertson
said the fact that the troops were
negroes had had nothing to do with
their discharge Confusion as to the
legal questions involved was. he said
responsible for the statement that the
President had no authority to make
the discharge. The Presidents con.
stitutional authority and the authority
given him by the articles of war.
clearly covered the case and made
his action legal. he declared
The Race Problem.
He concluded his speech by brief
reference to the negro question in
general. saving 1t had existed from
the early history of the country down
to the present time and still continued
to be the most important and the
most dangerous question which con.
fronts the American people. He re-
ferred tn the growth of this question
leading to the Civil war, wherein
nearly million white men lost their
lives. TODAY, he said, "the condi.
ticn OF the black race with its ages
or slavery, Its ignorances and power
ty, excited deenest sympathy of the
great body of white people of the
South. But" he continued ain spite
of the past with.its conflicts and sac.
rifices. sorrows and destruction of
the life and poverty. this problem is
still the greatest (which we have to
deal with. 1t involves labor, educa-
ton. suffrage, social order, civil lib
erty, self government, and the integ-
rity of the white race. The end NO
man can see. Southerners feel deep
~ and profoundly on this race prob
lem and Its ultimate solution"
Senator Foraker's Speech.
Senator Foraker at once took the
floor and said he did not propose to
discuss the race question or merits
of the Brownsville affair. He wanted
his resolution adopted. which would
insure further inquiry and his present
purpose was to defend himself re-
garding the criticism charged against
him for mentioning Captain McDon.
aid. Commenting on Mr. Culbertson's
statement that Senator Foraker's
speech two weeks ago had offended
certain Texans. and had reflected
upon Captain Mcdonald, the Ohioan
said he did not know what Mcdonald