The Washington times., 1908-04-14
President Is Unfit to Judge
COlOred Soldiers, Says Foraker
Ohio Senator's PhySl-
clans on Hand Lest
He Collapse.
Galleries Crowded to
Hear Defenseof Browns
vile Troops.

With. all his old-time fire and energy,
in an address that drew forth vigorous
applause from the galleries, Senator
Joseph B. Foraker of Ohio spoke In be-
half Of the discharged soldiers OF the
Twenty-fifth Infantry in the Senate this
afternoon.
Worked to Point of Collapse.
Senator Foraker's speech was made
under. perhaps. the most remarkable
circumstances that ever surrounded
effort I'm the Senate AS IS well known
the Ohio Senator for many months has
devoted his days and nights TO the
Brownsville episode, and 70 the effort
to restore 10 the discharged soldiers Of
the Twenty-fifth Infantry what ne be-
lieved 10 be their rights.
His health has suffered greatly in
consequence OF the hard work he has
done. His wife and family saw him
20 to the Senate today to make his ad-
dress on Brownsville. one OF the su-
preme efforts OF his life. with great
apprehension for his health They feared
that ne might collapse on the floor OF
the Senate and die before the speech
was finished.
His Physicians in Gallery.
For that reason arrangements were
made 10 have Senator Foraker's family
physician. DR.. Hardy, and his assist
ant. both at hand in case OF need. The
galleries were 50 extremely crowded
that the only place that could be found
for them was IN the press gallery and
they occupied seats there while Senator
Foraker was speaking.
The audience that listened to the Sen
atOr today was significant OF the wide
interest that has been aroused In the
Brownsville matter. II was without
assembled in the galleries Of either
House this session and one Of the
largest audiences that has listened to
Congressional address in years.
Hundreds Crowd Corridors.
Long before u O'Clock. all the galleries
were filled and hundreds OF people were
standing IN the corridors, unable to
gain admittance- A large number Of
colored people gathered 10 hear their
champion. Many OF the members of the
House deserted business on that side
Of the Capitol and went to the Senate
to hear the Ohio orator
Senator Foraker spoke on his own bill
for the reinstatement of the discharged
troops, but he took the opportunity 10
review the evidence in the Brownsville
case submitted to the Senate Military
Affairs Committee He discussed this
evidence from q legal standpoint, and
made a mastery appeal for restoring
TO the army the discharged soldiers, and
for their restoration on the terms pro-
vided in his own bill and not i'm the
Administration bill which Senator
Warner introduced
Senator Foraker made il clear that he
believed the President unfit to pass on
the question whether these men are
eligible for restoration 20 the army. for
the reason that he had preJudged the
Gaze.
Denies Playing Politics.
He denied emphaticaIIy, in the opening
OF his address. that the purpose Of this
investigation had been 20 embarrass the
President or anybody else. He said it
had not been started TO make capital Of
any kind. political or otherwise, against
anybody or for anybody.
Senator Foraker's review and analysis
was more thorough and more ex-
haustive than anything he has put forth
hitherto. He denounced the unpre-
cedented methods that had been fol-
lowed by the Administration in attempt
For the third time, he said. they had
been subjected to accusative testimony
and summoned to appear and prove
their innocence. It was violation Of
the practice. he said, that had been
obeyed since the beginning OF common
law.
The speaker argued that the testimony
was insufficient TO establish the guilt
OF the men, He reflected sharply on
General Darlington and others who were
sent by the War Department 20 learn
the facts
Scores Major Blocksom.
or Major BlOcksOm. with reference to
the charge that the negroes broke open
the gun racks. he said: ''Only a man so
blinded with prejudice and egotism as
to be incapable Of weighing conduct in
telligently could be guilty OF reaching
conclusions so utterly absurd"
ITO any mind at ali familiar with hu-
man nature, and able to reason as to
the DrOba bilities OF human action" said
Senator Foraker in concluding his
analysis of the evidence, there IS testi-
mony OF the strongest character in IA
VOr Of the soldiers in the striking i'm
probability OF the whole theory OF their
guilt"
Senator Foraker then took UP the mat
yer OF re-ehstment- He said the impor-
tant thing now was for Congress to af-
ford relief to those that had suffered
disgrace, loss, and hardship.
Says President Relented.
He pointed out that apparently no one
appreciated this more keenIy than the
President, and he cited the language of
the President showing that he had ma
terially modified his position, until he
finally urged extension for year Of the
time for reinstatement. of the discharged
troops.
Then, taking up the two bills for re-
instatement Of the men, Senator Foraker
pointed out the differences between his
own bill and that OF Senator Warner.
The Warner bill requires the men 10
prove their innocence to the satisfaction