Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1908-04-17
Forker Defends the Colored
....-..,..-.ss..ss Soldiers. s-...s

WASHINGTON, D. c.. April N.-sena-'
tor Foraker OF Ohio today made his long
expected speech on the Brownsville at
fair and in it he paid glowing tribute
to the neSro soldier, which was warmly
applauded by the negroes in the galleries.
''They are' he said, typical represent
tatives Of a race that has ever been loyal
to America and American institutions; q
race that has never raised hostile hand
against our country's flag; race that
has contributed to the nation tens of
thousands of brave defenders, not one OF
whom has ever turned traitor or faltered
in his fidelity.
'~rhey ask no favors because they are
are men,"
A Negro Audience.
Seldom il ever has the capital contained
rs many negroes as today. Ihey were a.
Foraker's speech. Ordinarily the galleries
are occupied entirely by white people, but
today fully two-thirds Of the eats seats were were
the beginning that the Ohio senator was
expected to make satisfying defense OF
the negro race. and that he would not
lack an appreciative audience.
Attacks the Charges.
Senator Forakers address was in tho
main review of the evidence taken dur
ing the long drawn out hearing condueed
that careful study of the testimony by
an unbiased man could lead to but one
conclusion-that the negro soldiers had
Brownsville. Nothing remains to com.
plete their vindication," he said, except
the discovery Of the real culprits. which
time will surely bring to pass unless ths no
a truth" He declared that the evidence
against the negroes was purely circum..
stantial, that it was contradictory ana
It is Senator Foraker's theory that the
citizens of Brownsville, out Of animosity
to the negro soldiers. did the shooting
and other ds9Tderly acts charged @ al. against
dence showed that the people Of Browns
Vile could secure ammunition like that
used in the shooting. while the soldiers
themselves had no opportunity to secure
extra cartridges.
Compares the Bills.
Mr.. Foraker compared bills pending be-
fore the senate providing for the enlist
Senator Warner of Missouri, giving the
president authority to reenlist them #
he should be satisfied that they did not
srRas in making tha aa na
tory upon the soldier taking an oath
that he did not participate or know any,
thing OF the guilty parties concerned IN
It. Mr.. Forakers bill also annuls tho
record Of discharge without honor, pro-
vision not included in the Warner bill
and annuls the presidents order barring
the men from enlistment in the navy.
Regarding the discretion given the
president in the Warner bill. he said:
"And II we are to be further reminded,
as we have been. that the president is
the commander Of the army, it
Is q sufficient answer that, while it Is,
true, it Is also true that he does not
create the army. It Is not for him to!
say who shall enlist or reenlist. All that
belongs to congress.
ITO pass such bill would be but pre-
tending to grant relief. for manifestly'
"Our action would but add insult to,
injury. It would be without precedent,
for it may be safely asserted that never
before in the history Of civilization has
q legislative body been invited to require,
men accused Of crime to prove their in,
nocence before a hostile Judge who has
already adjudged them guilty"
Mr. Foraker denied political motives In
his attitude. 1T may not be amiss TO-
remark, in view Of the many nisstate-,
ments that have been mlde," he said.
fthat the purpose Of this Investigation
has not been to embarrass the president.
br any one else; nor has It been to make!
any capital Of any kind. political or
otherwise. against anybody, or for any,
body"