The sun., 1908-05-12
FEAR EXPLOSION IN SENATE
PRESIDENTS DEFIANCE or con-
GRESS MAY BE RESENTED.
some senators Angry over the Assertion BY
the President That He IS independent
Of Congress In the Exercise OF Com
mand over the Army and Navy.


WASHINGTON, May il.-RepubIoan SEN
ators who are anxious to prevent further
widening OF the breach between the Presi-
dent and the Congress in this critical period
in party affairs we're busy to-day endeavor-
ing to arrange a programme Of harmonious
action for the rest Of the legislative session
This effort was not confined to supporters
Of the Administration but included leaders
who have resented bitterly the enoroach-
ments Of the Executive and who in oonse-
quenoe have been unpopular at the White
House
They are willing to forget the past for
the moment, however. in the realization
OF the embarrassing position in which
considerable number Of them will be placed
il publicity is given TO the characteristic
personal letters written by Mr. Roosevelt
to Senators Smith, Rayner and Stewart
In regard to the Brownsville affair and the
case Of Col. William F. Stewart Of the army,
"the exile Of Fort Grant II Ia clear to
many Of them that once the Presidents
defiant views in these matters as expressed
in his communications 10 Senators are
spread upon the record the Senate for
the sake Of its own pride and dignity will
be Obliged to adopt some sort Of response
"a reply 10 the throne as II were-that
must take the form Of a rebuke to the
President.
So Senate leaders, Administration men
and anti administration men alike worked
like beavers to-day in the hope OF avoiding
an issue which would show ~ the oouptry
that the upper house regarded Mr.. Roose-
velt's claim to supreme undivided au-
thority over the land and naval forces as
dangerous 10 the welfare Of the nation.
How well they succeeded is problematical.
They obtained no assurance from Senator
Foraker that he would not press his motion
to make his Brownsville bill the unfinished
business Of the Senate, and while some
found cause for hope in the fact that Mr.
Foraker agreed not TO press his motion
until after the post Office appropriation
bill was out Of the way, there is much
headshaking and other silent expression
OF doubt that Mr.. Foraker will consent
TO let his effort 10 obtain reinstatement for
the dismissed negro soldiers die natural
death.
10 an outsider il is difficult to realize
the condition Of feeling that has been de-
veloped among Senators over the Presi-
dents letters TO three OF their colleagues.
His assertions that he is independent OF
Congress in the exercise Of command over
the army and that. even II the Foraker
bill for the relief Of the negro soldiers we're
enacted over his veto, he would refuse to
obey its provisions. have made some OF the
older solons white with rage. Then, too,
there is Indignation over his analogy be-
tween the views Of Senators who objected
TO his wholesale dismissal Of the colored
troops and the maudlin sympathy for muir
derers that exists in every community.
However, the main point in the whole busi-
ness is that Mr.. Roosevelt has given advance
notice to individual Senators that he will
refuse TO obey a law Of the land. That the
Senate cannot overlook. according to what
ia said by members Of that body, II the
letters are made public, and present efforts
are being directed 10 keeping them under
the seal Of confidence.
But It was admitted this evening that
great danger threatened the plans OF the
leaders 10 the discussion tomorrow OF
resolution presented to-day by Senator
Rayner in regard to the case Of Col. Stewart.
The Stewart case and the Brownsville case
are correlated by reason Of the Presidents
attitude in regard to his supremacy Of con-
troll over the army, Senator Rayner has
asked the President to grant Col. Stewart's
request for a court Of inquiry, and the
President in reply had in effect expressed
the view that Congress had nothing to do
with the case. II Senator Rayner reads
this letter and il is understood that he will
do 80, il may open the way for a reference
to the more sensational letters to Senators
Smith and Stewart. What will happen in
that event nobody is in a position to say
with any degree Of positiveness,
Senators who are following the matter
closely hinted this evening that Col, Stew
arts request for a court OF inquiry might
be granted by the President, This would
concede Senator Rayner's contention and
might serve TO sidetrack any outbreak in
the Senate against executive usurpation.
MIR. Rayner, it is declared, has plenty Of
support on the Republican side Of the cham
ber-enough, with that Of his Democratic
associates, it is said, to insure the adoption
OF his resolution. Should the resolution
be adopted and the President decline to
obey il another crisis in the relations Of the
President and the Senate would be at hand.
Several Republican Senators urged Mr.,
Rayner to-day not TO be in hurry 10 press
for a vote on his resolution. They advised
him, or rather requested him, to take
plenty Of time. Al this indicates that the
leaders are wophed over the prospect Of
an explosion that will compel them to
resent the Presidents attitude Those who
believe that it is high time that something
should be done to check Mr.. Roosevelt's
tendency TO express views which reflect
upon the legislative branch are encouraged
tonight over a report that Senator Foraker
and Senator Rayner have an understand
ing which may produce results for the
Stewart resolution and Mr.. Foraker's biz
10 enable the discharged negro soldiers :"
reenter the army
Congress May Adjourn on May ~.