The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-14
A PRETTY auARREL.

That Brownsville affair Is a regular Banquos ghost to the opposition. The Republicans who condemn the dlsmis- sal of the negro soldiers are charging Roosevelt says. 'I did 1t with my little hatchet," or words to that effect, and General Corbin says the President was entirely responsible for what was done, and thus they have 1t. As the admin listration did 1t, and as Taft was part of the administration at the time, the incident furnishes good club for his enemies. Let them crack heads as much as they like, say we. for the more they fight each other the better 1t will be for Democracy and good gov ernment.
 It is q somewhat singular fact that the Northern newspapers, with the ex- ception of a few hidebound organs, are so generally of one mind regarding this Brownsville business. There is hardly one of them that we have read that fails to condemn the action of the Pres ident in dismissing the negro troops in disgrace. They are practically of one mind that the colored troops were treated with injustice. The dragging of Taft into 1t just now Is what Is causing the most unrest. Only a few days ago, 1t will be remembered. Gen. l eral Corbin stated that after the order of dismissal had been issued. the Pres- ident. who had gone to Porto Rico. re- ceived a telegram from Taft protesting against the hasty action of Roosevelt and that the latter cabled to Taft that no change would be made in his orders. This leads The Pitsburg Post to say:
 As Judge Taft has been so effusive in endorsing and advocating everything that President Roosevelt has done in public office 1t would be interesting to know if he approves the sentiment of the cablegram sent by the President from Porto Rico insisting upon injus- tice to the negro troops of the Browns vile barracks.
 It would also not detract from inter- est in the subject. that has just been W Taft were at the same time to explain to the American people why, when the Foraker investigation was on and the Ssaas asked tbs fSr all a gram from the President was with held. along with Taft's own alleged statement to his master.
 If MT. Taft really protested in the interest of fairness to the negro troops, as we would be led to believe why. as Secretary of War and custodian of all official correspondence of his depart ment. did he refrain from granting the solemn request of the Senate of the
 The answer Is easy. Mir. Taft was at that time candidate for the Presiden- tial nomination and he relied upon Pres ident Roosevelts influence and his "big stick" to deliver him the nomination, MT. Taft. through methods unheard of before in this great republic, was nom- mated. and now he wants the support of the negro voters of the country, and little he cares to what lengths he goes to accomplish his purpose.
 This injustice and cruelty of Presi- dent Roosevelts was one of the poli- cies and acts of his Taft-lauded admin istration. is,- Does the heir apparent at speak out. Justice-loving people would like to know.
 Here are some interesting questions. As Taft was Secretary of War it must
 
 papers received by his department. and copies of all sent out by that depart ment were preserved. Then, as The Post asks, why was not the Senate Committee furnished all the informa- tion asked for? The plain inference is that there was a game of nest-hiding In feared to offend his boss. We can see no other way of. accounting for what was evidently an attempt to cover up the affair.
 Most Southerners, so far as we have noticed, approved the action of the President in this matter and contend that there was nothing else for him to do under the circumstances. but the Northern people look at it differently, and much severe criticism on Roosevelt and his cabinet has been kept up all the time If 1t was directed entirely against Roosevelt himself 1t would not cause them So much worry, but the dragging of Taft into 1t and holding him responsible is what is disquieting his friends and supporters. It Is what may be called very pretty quarrel as it stands. and we on this side the political line have no reason to care how much they worry and mangIe each other.