Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-12-11
Sixtieth Congress.
Washington, Dec. IL.
SENATE.


SENATE.
The Senate was not 10 session today,
having adjourned Thursday till Monday.
HOUSE.
The House attack on the president
began today when Mr.. Perkins (repn.
N. " introduced bis resolution calling
for a select committee Of FIVE to consider
the chi icisms of the House made by the
president in his message and to report
what action should be taken with regard
TO 1t.
The resolution read as follows:
Where's, there was contained In the sundry
civil appropriation bill, and which passed
congress at its last session and became law,
provision in reference to the employing ot
Of the secret service in the Treasury Depart
ment and, whereas, in the messag OF the
president OF the United States to the two
Houses Of Congress, ID was stated in reference
to that provision; It is not too much to say
that this amendment has been Of bepeit only
and it is believed Of benefit only. to the crimi-
nal classes only, and it was further stated the
chief argument in favor Of the provision was
that the congressman did not themselves
wish to be Investigated by secret service men,
and i. was further stated: But IL this is not
considered desirable, special provision
could be made in The law, prohibiting the
use of the secret service force in inVestigst.
ing members Of Congress IL would be far
better n do this than TO do what actually
was done, and strive to prevent, or at least to
hamper, effective action against criminals by
the executive branch OF the government
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that q CON-
mittee Of five members of this House be sp-
pointed by the speaker to consider the state
mtnls contained In the message Of the piesi-
dent and report to the Houe what action, if
any, should be taken In reference thereto.
In presenting the resolution, Mr..
Perkins said:
at is of Importance to the republic
that all Of the coordinate branches of
the government should possess, In a
high degree, the confidence aud respect
of the people. l yield to no one in my
respect for the chief executive of the
United Ststss; and yield to no one 10
my respect for the Congress of the
United Ststes. To the Congress is
granted great power, and upon 1t are
imposed great responsibilities. We can
not neglect our duties, nor shirk our
responsibilities. The dignity Of this
body should not be puuctiliously insist.
ed upon, butt should be properly main
tanned.
1.-THE statements made by the presi-
dent of the United States cannot be
lightly disregarded. These may be 80
construed by the public as to lessen the
dignity and thereby impair the useful
ness of the Congress of the United
States. 1t can be Justly said, l think,
that these expressions we're unfortunate.
Whether it is enough to cay this, or
whether some more formal action should
be taken, 1t will be for Congress, exer-
cising a wise and discreet judgement to
decide. would be glad If this resolu-
ton could now be adopted without &C.
bate or dissent"
There was an outbreak OF appliance,
both sides Of the House joiuiug In hand
clappiDg.
The expressed wish OF Mr.. Perkins
that there be no debate on The resolu-
tIou was observed, aud the speaker put
the question at once.
The affirmative vote was loud and pro-
longed. Meta single member answered
when the noes we're ask d for.
speaker Cannon then appointed the
committee: Perkins (rsp.
N. ~; DENLY (rep. Mich }; Weeks
(rep. Mass.); Williams (dem. Miss. j
and Lloyd lem. MOI. The repor! OF
the committee Is not expected until
p;otaSly the middle OF next week.
The House broke ell preeedents today in
the celebrity with which il rushed through |
the thirty-one million dollar appropriation
bill for TIE legislative, executive and judiei- |
airy departments Of the government.