Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-12-22
HOUSE ASKS FOR PROOF.
Resolution Puts Issue Up to the Pres
ident.

| loent.
| Following Is the resolution adopted
by the house last Thursday in regard
to that part of the message referring
to the secret service:
Resolved, That the president be re-
auested to transmit to the house any
evidence upon which he based his
statements that the chief argument In
favor Of the provision. was that the
congressman did not themselves wish
to be investigated by secret service
men,, and also to transmit to the
house any evidence connecting any
member of the house Of representatives
of the 60th congress with corrupt ac-
ton in his official capacity and to in
form the house whether he has insti-
tuted proceedings for the punishment
of any such individual by the courts
or has reported any such alleged de-
linquencies to the house of representa-
| tiveS"
| Mr.. Perkins of New York, chairman
of the special committee, charged to
investigate the allegations made in the
presidents message and John Sharp
Williams of Mississippi, both stated on
the floor that it was the desire Of the
special committee to be just toward
the president in allowing him to sub
nit any evidence he may have and both
declared that the committee would give
it full and impartial consideration. Mr..
Perkins said the committee would con-
tinue in session during the Christmas
holidays so that 1t might receive such
evidence from the president and pro-
ceed to consider it.
Both the resolution and all Of the
preamble, except that part Of the lat
| ter interpreting the meaning Of the
presidents message in relation to the
secret service were adopted unani-
mously by a viva voce vote. Mr.. Ben
net of New York demanded a division
on the preamble provision stating the
committees Interpretation Of the pres
| ident's structures upon congress, but
before the division was entered upon
| endeavored to withdraw his notion
Mr.. Williams insisted that this could
not be done and the vote being taken,
27O members voted aye, and IA no, on
this part of the preamble.
In reporting the resolution Mr.. Per-
kins said it had been recommended
unanimously by the special committee
and added that as soon as the presi-
dent should send in any information
in his possession the committee would
make another report for the considera-
ton of the house.
80 far as the committee knows"
said Mr.. Williams, there is not a
scintilla of evidence to support that
statement by the president. The COM
mittee has thought 1t would be fair
to the president to give him further
opportunity to produce testimony If
he has any. The American people have
right to know if the American con-
gress be corrupt"
Mr.. Keifer Of Ohio, wanted to know
whether the words IF not Incompatible
with the public service" should not be
inserted in the resolution as usual in
calling on the president for informa-
ton. This suggestion called forth
laughter and Mr. Perkins declared that
the resolution as worded was a re
quest" for information and was i'm
perative in its wording.
II understand" insisted Mr.. Keifer,
that these words were purposely omit
ted from the resolution"
The matter must of course, rest with
the chief executive" replied Mr.. Per-
kins.
Mr. Perkins then cut off further dis
cussions by demanding the previous
question. and Speaker Cannon calling
for n viva voce vote, there was
chorus Of "ayes" favoring the passage
Of this resolution. followed by dead
silence when the noes were called for.
Mr.. Perkins again securing the floor
sent to the speakers desk another
resolution and the house was on tip
toe Of expectation to know what fur
ther action was to be proposed. 1t
proved to be an offer of congratula-
tions to the newly formed Turkish par
lament, and amid laughter the resolu-
ton was adopted.