Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-12-15

partial confession Of guilt by one of the
discharged Negro soldiers much interest
was shown in the rtading and practically
every senator remained in his seat.
Foraker took the floor as soon as the
Presidents message and the accompany
ing reports had been read. He read a
letter from Boyd Conyels, discharged
soldier, who IS alleged to have confessed
to colored detective named Lawson.
whose report accompanies others appear
ing in the document made by the war
department and read today. In his letter
to Foraker, Conyers speaks Of the visit
Of Lawson to Monroe, Ga. where Con-
yers has Eeen living. Conyers says he
learned that Lawson was there to pick"
him. and that he had the high sheriff"
arrest Lawson. AS Lawson had not had
an opportunity to have a private talk
with Conyers, according to the latters
letter. it made him angry and Conyers
says Lawson told lies to the sheriff
about him.
AT this point Foraker referred caustical-
ly to this colored detective. calling at
tention to the fact that his thigh sound
ing. smooth. logical report is signed with
his mark" and then. pausing to look
around the Senate. the senator added
ooh. Mr. President. when this thing is
gone to the bottom of. all honest men
will be ashamed of it,
Taking up q second letter from Con-
yers. Foraker prefaced it by saying
This is a little tedious. perhaps. but
1 think it is due to this soldier due to
the truth. and due to common decency
that the whole Of this story be told"
Foraker said the statement of the Pres
fdent concerning this investigation by de-
tectives showed the propriety of adopt
ing such a provision as that embodied in
his amendment.
1T seems to me-" he said, that one
Of the worst features of this whole I'M
fortunate business is that this man should
now be pursued in this way by secret
detectives in the manner I have de-
scribed."
Foraker read letter he wrote to Con-
yers in which he said he (the senator)
would "look after the detectives who
were visiting him at 1.-THE proper time"
THAT promise will be made good,' de-
clared Foraker. Upon the reading Of
what he declared was the entire CORE
spondence between himself and Conyers,
he said it should have the same consid-
Grafton as the reports of the detectives.
Enough has been shown he asserted,
ito make it the imperative duty of the
Senate to create a tribunal before which
these men can go and receive a hearing.
Is there anything more atrOcious than
this proceeding against these men? This
is the sixth time they have been put on
trial and five times they have been ac-
quilted, in my opinion"
Foraker finished his speech by declaring.
that the Presidents statement that the
espionage against the soldiers of the 25th
Infantry would be continued. was addi-
tional reason for some prompt action by
the Senate
Vice President Fairbanks laid before
the Senate the resolutions adopted by
the National Rivers and Harbors Con-
gress, asking for an issue of bonds to
the amount of s50O.000,0O0 for the i'm
provement of water highways. Sena-
tor Frye. chairman Of the committee
on commerce, moved that the resolu-
lions be printed in the Congressional
record and it was so ordered.
Separate statehood for Arizona and
New Mexico is provided for in two
bills introduced by Senator Foraker.
The President sent to the Senate the
following nominations: Member of the
Isthmian Canals Commission, Lieut..
Col. Harry F. Hodges, corps Of engir-
GERS; captains to be rear admirals,
William p. Potter. Newton E. Mason.