The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-05-09
Says in Letters to Senators
That He viii Brook No In
reference With His Plans
Already Laid.
REPUBLICAN SENATORS
ARE MUCH PERTURBED,
Threaten to Publicly Censure
The President for His OAR
ing to Tell Them How to
Act in the Future.

Washington, u. c, May 9-After
having been charged repeatedly dur
ing his administration with usurpation
of congressional powers, the president
now in turn is alleging that congress
seems to be seeking to usurp some of
the authority with which he is invest
ed by the constitution. He has writ
ten letter to Senator Stewart. of Yer
mont. in which this point was raised,
and il has stirred up considerable feel
ing among republican senator's who
are not on friendly terms with the ad-
ministration. This letter is so vigor-
GUS in its tone that spme of the repub-
liCan leaders are discussing the aues-
ton of administering a reluke to Mr..
Roosevelt for the position he has taken
with respect TO the reinstatement of
the negro soldiers who were dismissed
on account of the shooting up of
Brownsville, Texas. and Colonel VIM.
F. Stewart the exiled coast artillery
officer in whom Senator Rayner of
Maryland. has become Interested
On Wednesday during the final chap
ter of Senator Warmers speech on the
Brownsville affray. Senator Stewart
made his maiden entry as a debater by
asking Warner a number of questions
which indicated that he sympathized
with the attitude assumed by Senator
Foraker. At the conclusion of Mr..
Warmers remarks. Mr.. Foraker read a
clipping from the Cincinnati Times
Star, owned by Charles p. Taft. which
declared that the president had writ
ten a letter to Senator Smith. of Mich
igan. saying that if congress enacted
law similar to that proposed by For
aker, he would promptly veto IL. and
if congress passed IL over his veto. he
would absolutely refuse 10 recognize or
obey it. He said such legislation
would conflict with his constitutional
right of making appointments. He
alone could arrange for enlistments in
the army. and congress had no right to
give him mandatory instructions.
Wouldn't Give Up.
Senator Smith acknowledged receiv-
ing a letter from the president. but re-
fused to divulge it's contents. He re-
garded it as a private communication.
Senator Foraker insisted that if Mr.
Smith had not made its contents
known they were given publicity at
the white house.
Afer learning that Senator Stewart
was suspected OF sympathizing with
MIR. Foraker's policy of compelling the
President TO reinstate the negro sol
diers, the president prepared a letter
covering - typewriter pages and
sent it 10 Senator Stewart. He went
into details concerning his position on
the Brownsville affair and defended
his course from start 10 in-
| ish. He also inclosed a copy OF the
letter previously sent TO Senator
Smith. OF Michigan. saying il still rep
resented his opinion regarding any
| legislation on the subject which con-
gress might enact
He then took up the case of Colonel
William F. Stewart. now being pun
| ished by exile 10 TT. Grant. ATiz., and
| followed with a copy of the letter re-
ceived yesterday by Senator Rayner of
Maryland. This letter is a scorching
communication and declared that he
| would not permit any interference
| from congress in the matter of Colonel
Stewart. In conclusion the president
| informed Senator Stewart that he
would not tolerate the Iessening of his
constitutional rights by any action of
! congress. and he should ignore any al
tempted interference either in the
| Brownsville affair or the case of Colo
mel Stewart
This letter did not particularly ap-
| peal to Senator Stewart and he pro-
ceeded TO acquaint all the republican
| leaders with its contents. They con
! sidered the matter Of grave and serious
matter possibly without A precedent.
| They declared that no previous in
stance could be found where d presi-
| dent Of the United States openly an
! nounced over his own signature that
| he would refuse to obey and execute
law of congress if enacted according 10
constitutional requirements The
question was not viewed in the light Of
joke. based upon mere idle words.
| but a subject demanding some appro-
| pirate action 10 protect the legislative
| branch of the government from the en-
| croachments of the executive branch.
AS the proposition now stands IL is
not proposed to offer any resolutions
in the open senate censuring the presf-
| dent. but simply make it a family af-
| fair among the republican majority. IL
anything is attempted IT viii be in a
regularly called conference of republi-
can senator's Ar such meeting the
entire matter Of alleged executive
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