Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-09
FEELING IS STRONG
Senatorial Resentment Against
President.
NOT OPENLY EXPRESSED
Chief Executive Asserts His Military
Rights.
JURISDICTION OVER THE ARMY
Conference May Be Held Next Week
an <1a n;v1e unl~ <S~- -
NOT OPENLY EXPRESSED
JURISDICTION OVER THE ARMY
Conference May Be Held Next Week
on the Bills Relating to
Brownsville Case.

No sign of the intense feeling that
exists in the Senate against the President
on account Of letters which he has writ
ten to three members Of that body. as
serting that he is supreme in all matters
relating to the control of the army and
navy, was visible on the surface of things
at the Capitol this morning. That is to
say. there was no reference to ii on the
floor of the Senate. 1t would certainly
be very far from the truth. however, to
say that such feeling does not still exist.
In fact, 1t is increasing and taking in a
wider area.
The third of these letters was received
yesterday by Senator Stewart of Vermont.
and the other two received by Senator
Rayner of Maryland and Senator William
Alden Smith of Michigan within the past
few days.
In every case the President defends his
action I'm discharging the negro soldiers
implicated in the Brownsville AFFAIR. and
in banishing Col. William F. Stewart to
an abandoned military post in Arizona.
Conference Next Week.
1t is stated that the republican senators
are practically certain to hold a confer
ence next week to determine what TO do
with the Foraker and Warner bills for the
re-enlistment of the discharged colored
soldiers in the light of the President 8
most recent attitude. It is claimed that
many of the Presidents supporters in the
Brownsville affair have turned against
him on account of these letters. and that
stinging rebuke is being planned by
both republicans and democrats.
A few days ago In the debate on the
Brownsville matter Senator Stewart
asked a question indicating that he had
doubt as to the wisdom of extending to
/ - rpufv,r 8.
innocence or guilt Of ex-soldiers applying
for reinstatement in view Of the fact that
1t appeared the President still believes all
ct the negroes. to have been guilty 81
completely In the ARRAY.
The senator was surprised to receive
from the President yesterday letter
bearing on both the Col. Stewart and the
Brownsville cases. Attached to the COM
nunication were letters to Senators Ray
ner and william Alden Smith, the one to
Mr.. Rayner asserting chiefly the Presi-
dents right as commander-in-chief to deal
with An officer in such manner AS he
pleased, while the one to Mr.. Smith was
confined to the Brownsville affair and
reiterated the Presidents belief that he
had dealth with the case as conditions de-
manded.
Powers of the President.
The President went further still in his
letter to Senator Stewart, in addition to
repeating much that he said to the other
senator's He declared that Senator Stew
art, from the question he asked In the
debate, appeared to be proceeding under
a Misrepresentation of the duties of the
President of the United States I'm con-
nection with the army and navy. He
quoted the law as he understood ii, and
denied that he was under any obligation
to give to the discharged negro soldiers
or to Col. Stewart any court Of inquiry.
Several paragraphs were devoted to a
discussion of Col. Stewards case, and
the matters which have put him in dis
repute in official military circles. After
this discussion the President wrote that
in every community there is found maud
lin sympathy with murderers. and the
Thaw case In New York was cited by him
AS an example.
Senators Undecided.
None OF the senator's who have received
letters from the White House has de-
cided whether he will make them public.
All have been asked to do SO. Senator
Smith of Michigan declined on the ground
that it would be improper and Senator
Rayner is preparing to use the letter In a
speech which he will make. to the Senate
denouncing the action of the President in
banishing Col. Stewart to Fort Grant,
AriZ.
Senator Stewart showed to several of
his colleagues the letter he received. but
thus far has made no disposition of It..
Several senator's said that the letters
would have the effect Of complicating the
situation in regard to legislation in the
interest Of the innocent members OF the
battalion Of negroes discharged on ac-
count of the Brownsville affray.