The morning journal-courier., 1908-12-18
HOUSE DEMANDS
 AN EXPLANATION Asks President for Proof of Secret Service Charges I'm peaching Honor of
 Congress,
IA REPUDIATE PREAMBLE
Friends Refuse 10 En- dorse "WherGases InconcluslNe Outcome
 Probable.


 of representatives to-day by unanim- ous vote adopted a resolution request ing the president to supply it with any evidence in his possession which will justify the statement in his last annual message in relation to the attitude Of members of congress toward appropri- ations for the secret service of the government. MT Perkins of New York, chairman of the special com mittee, charged to Investigate the al legations made in the presidents mes sage and John Sharp Williams of Mis- slssippi both explained on the floor that 1t was the desire of the special committee to be Just toward the presi- dent in allowing him to submit any evidence he may have and both de- clared that the committee would give it full and impartial considerations Mir. Perkins said the committee would sit during the Christmas holidays so that it might receive such evidence from the president promptly and pro- ceed to consider it
 Both the resolution and all of the preamble except that part of the lat ter Interpreting the meaning of the presidents message In relation to the secret service were adopted unanim- ously by viva yoce vote. MT Ben nett of New York demanded a di- vision on the preamble stating the committees interpretation of the pres idents strictures upon congress, but before the division was entered upon | endeavored tu withdraw his motion, | Mir Williams insisted that this could I not be done and the vote being taken 20 members voted ave and II no | on this part of the preamble.
 The following ls the full text of the preamble:
 Whereas, There was contained in the sundry civil appropriation bill which passed congress at its last ses- sion and became a law, provision in reference to the employment of the secret service in the treasury depart ment. and
 "Whereas In the last annual messase 'i Nll' pl' VI Ail'- V iiAA'u PAhi tG the two houses of congress 1t was stated in reference to that provision 'Tt IS not too much to say that this amendment has been of benefit only and could be of benefit only Co t,t criminal classes, anl II was further stated tho chief argument in favor of the provision was that the congress | h investigated by secret service men, and it was further stated. but if this is not considered desira hle a special exception could be made in the lay prohibiting tht use of the secret ser vice force in Investigating members of congress. II would Dc far better to do this than 10 do what actually was done, and strive to prevent or al least to hamper effective action agains criminals by the executive branch o the government and
 Whereas, the plain meaning of tho above words ls that the majority Of the congressman were in fear of beinr investigated by secret service men ant that congress as whole was aetuateC by that motive in cnacting the pro. : vision in question, and,
 Whereas your committee appoint ed to consider these statements of thu president and report to the house can not find in the hearings before com mittees nor in the records of tn, house or senate. any justification o this impeachment of the honor anc : integrity of the congress, and,
 "Whe4eaA your committee would prefer in order to make an inteli gent and comprehensive report. just {, the president as well as to tho con. gross to have all the information which the president may have tC communicate, it was therefore, bo t
 Resolved That the president be re quested tu transmit to the house an, Icvidcuce upon which he based his state mrnts that the "chief argument in favo Of the provision was that the congress men did not wish themselves to be in restiEatrd by secret service men," anC also lo transmit to the house any cyl denno connecting any member of th' house of representatives of he sIxtletl congress With corrupt action in his Of nclal capacity, auG to inform the hous, whether he has Instituted proceeding Tor the punishment of any such indNid , ual by the courts. or has reported an, such delnuucncies to the house of rep ? rcseutativcs
 The issao is fairly joined bctweei President Roosevelt anG the two house. Of congress over the strlctures contain cd in inc secret service paragra ph Q the presidents annual message. ROtl the house and senate have acted ac cOrding to their lights, and now it f. the presidents turn to move. Tha Mr. Rooscvcrs reply to the house res olutlon of inquiry wlll not be an ex plosive document, is the best lnforma ton ubtanahle this afternoon, II wIl probably not deal tn sharp and direc personalities but will be an argumen for the greater efficiency of the secre service without tho stIpulatons con taincd m the last sundry civil appro propriation bill
 Already q good many persons ar beginning to draw an analogy betweei Mr. RooseNelts present experiment an, the recent outspoken criticisms of th German emperor in the Reichstag
 Ii remains 10 be seen what attitud congress will assume if MT, Roosevelt makes q pacific reply to the house in query for the information upon whicl be based his offensive comments I , may he emboldened by what probabl may be considered disposition b. the president to back down, to bring f. StinglnR resolution of ceuSure Nor probably however. q mild reply iron President Roosevelt void of personal ties and specific instances of mlscon duet on the part of members, whic have been forreted out by the score service, will bring the controversy ( q gentle and inconclusye end,
 MRS, EVANS iLL.