The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-03
Foraker Resolution Taken Up
Promptly by the Senate
On Resuming Its Sessions Afte
Holiday Recess.
/. CULBERSON LEADS OFF
Defends Presidents Action in
the Brownsville Matter.
He Was Followed by Foraker
on the Other Side.

Washington, Jan. 3.-The senate re-
sumed its session at noon. The gal
leries were crowded and senators
evinced more than the usual interest
in the ceremonies.
Senator Foraker's resolution provid-
ing for an inquiry into the discharge
of the negro troops of the Twenty fifth
infantry was called up.
Senator Culberson, in an address on
the subject, said great injustice had
been done the people of Brownsville.
The conduct of the negro soldiers had
been very Irritating. He related that
on Aug. 4. the day before the shoot
ing up of the town. a criminal assault
had been committed by one of the SOL
diers on the wife of a reputable citi-
zen and no arrests had been made for
this crime. Mr., Culberson defended
Captain Mcdonald of the Texas rang
ers, to whom Mr.. Foraker had re-
ferred, because of Major Blocksom's
reference to him as a man who was
$50 brave that he would not hesitate
to charge hell with a bucket of water
Mr. Culberson also said that he
knew Major Blocksom to be gentle
man.
In defending President Roosevelt.
Mr.. Culberson said the fact that
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
constitutional authority and the au-
thority given him by the articles of
war clearly covered the case and made
his action legal, he declared.
Mr.. Culberson said there was a dis
tinction between a discharge with
L. - ~
charge" In the former case the pres
ident could exercise his discretion as
he had done in this instance, while
dishonorable discharge could only be
made as the result of a court martial.
Mr.. Culberson read resolutions re-
Gently adopted by negro citizens OF
Boston which admitted that, the SOL
dierS "shot up the town." and said
they were determined to do for them
selves what the uniform of their coun-
t-v would not do-protect them from
insults and punish at the same time
the authors of their misery
Mr.. Culberson created merriment by
saying:
dent in this matter. care nothing
about him. MyrDersonal relations with
him are about as cordial as those, OF
the senator from Ohio" (Foraker).
In all fairness, Mr.. Culberson said the
country ought to know that the report
made to the president was reliable. He
read much of the evidence in this report
to sustain his contention that the SOL
diers and not civilians had been re-
sponsible for the shooting. Mr.. Gull
berson declared in closing that the peo-
pie of Texas would defend the honor
of their women with their lives and ad-
vised strongly against any action that
would lead to a conflict between the
races. He was followed by Senator
Foraker.
Senator Foraker's speech was devot-
ed t. an exploitation of the character
of Captain Mcdonald of the Texas
ranger.
Referring to the statement that the
captain was bold enough to charge
hell with bucket of water" the Ohio
senator expressed the opinion that the
captain would have no other use for
water.
Senator Culberson replied briefly and
Senator Lodge, after reading an amend
ment recognizing the presidents con-
stftutional authority to discharge the
soldiers, said he would not object to the
passage of the resolution.