Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-03-12
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington, d. O., March II.

Washington, d. O., March II.
Full realization that there is lot
of politics involved in the disposition
of the Brownsville affair, seems TO have
come to Senators only now that the
reports of the committee that made the
are before them for action,
and legislation of some kind is called
for. Both republicans and democrats
find themselves facing a delicate situs-
ton through which many votes may
be lost through any false step. The
msioriiy of the military committee,
composed Of four republicans and five
democrats, have prepared bill in ac-
cordsnce with the Presidents recon-
mendstion TO restore the negroes to the
civil and military rights OF which they
were deprived by the discharge "wilh-
out honor" But Mr.. Foraker also
hiss bill which he will offer as a sub
stitute and which goes much further
1t proposes to give them ali that the
administration measure offers, and, in
addition, full pay for the time they
have LOST since discharge, besides requlr-
ing the War Department to accep!
rom each individual soldier bis mere
oath that be had no part in the shooting.
II is recognized that The negroes all over
the country are much wrought up over
the affair, and believe that great in
iustice was done TO the cUlored soldiers.
They are being urged from the pulpit
and otherwise 10 register their disap-
proyal at The ballot box and already the
TAFT boom has..been affected By the fact
that they hold the Secretary OF War,
next to the President, responsible for the
discharge. In a number of northern
States, especially Ohio, West Virginia,
Indiana and Illinois, the negro vote is d
considerable factor and, for political
reasons, Senators will hesitate to an
isgouZe it. Under these circumstances,
it would not be surprising if the Foraker
substitute should be adopted, and the
way made clear for the return to the
service of all the discharged men.
After saying he would assume no re-
sponsibility for the congressional in-
curry into his charges of corruption Of
Congress by the Electric Boat Company
because the investigating committee
would not act as he advised, Represents
tive Lilley, of Connecticut, author Of
the charges, took the stand as witness
and said he had "'little to add" to bis
statement made before the committee on
rules ten days ago. Before lestitying he
read q statement. whether or not
money has been Improperly used in this
matter" he said, "can be shown only
by an examination of the officers and
books Of this company. also say that
all the other witnesses have named
will be found, on examination, to
have been in The employ of this COM
pany as lobbyists, attorneys or CORE
spondents. / have done my duty
as member of Congress TO show
where witnesses and exhibits can be
found" To this Chairman B0utell re-
piled by saying the committee is order
ed by the House to investigate the mat
ter and that it "does not consider Mr..
Lilley rs a prosecutor of anybody" The
frat step, he said, would be to examine
Mr.. Lilley as a witness. After protest
ing once more, Mr. Lilley vas sworn IS
witness, and in answer to questions
reiterated the charges he bad made again
the company, going into details. Mr..
LilIey said that Congressman HobsOu
had been told that the boat company
could have him put on the naval COM
mittee.
The buildings and grounds of the
jamestown Exposition may yet be used
as naval station. Commander Wilson
and Assistant Secretary Newberry to-
day advocated the proposition before
the House committee on naval Affairs.
Repre- sentalives Brumm and J. Hamp-
ton Moore, of Pennsylvania. called at
the White House today to present the
name of VIM. Nj. Garrett, OF Philadel-
phis, as a candidate for public printer.
Stuyvesant Fish, former president Of
the Illinois Central Railroad an arch
enemy of f. H. Hartman, lunched with
the President this afternoon.
By a tie vote OF 10 s the House
committee OH military ARRAYS today prac-
ticslly killed for this session the Sher-
wood dolIar-a-dsY pension bill. The
Dawes bill for the retirement of the vol
unteer officers who served one and q
half years in the army met with simi,
| lar defeat