Richmond planet., 1908-03-14

an investigation on his own hook
by curt cablegram from Mr.. Roose-
Welt, VINO, at that time was cruising
In the West Indies.
FEAR DETECTION OF COLoRED
VOTE.
Bishops OF the African Church and
prelates lower down I'm the ecclesias-
tcal scale have been exhorting their
hocks 20 combine against the Secre-
tary OF War, and this activity on
their part has been manifested in
all the Northern States where the
Negro vote is a considerable factor
at the elections, and also in the
Southern States where the Negroes
constitute the majority OF the dele
gates TO the national convention. Ii
is well known that progress with the
Taft campaign I'm the South has been
seriously retarded by the enmity of
the colored voters, and IL Is also a
fact that the opposition 10 the Sec
retary OF War has raised the question
OF his ability 10 carry, II nominated
such States as Ohio. Indiana Illinois
West Virginia and others, on account
OF the possible detection by the col
ored vote. Even friends of Mr.. Taft
have reported that the situation was
becoming serious and consequently,
IL is not surprising that the Presi-
dent has made up his mind TO pla-
cate this element OF the Republican
Party. II possible. Whether his ac-
tion yesterday will accomplish the
purpose intended remains to be seen.
A bill extending the time limit for
reinstatement OF the discharged sol
Il prn Hru nrra 1usrF IL -.
accordance with the Presidents re-
commendation. and was discussed
Tuesday by the Senate Military Com
mittee. Senator Foraker has a bill
which goes much further, for it is
predicated upon the innocence of the
Negro troops. It provides for their
reinstatement. the restoration OF the
civil rights of which they were de-
prived, the clearing of their military
records, and their reimbursement for
the pay lost since their dismissal.
TRIAL FACES REPUBLICAN SEN
ATORS.
IL the Military Committee reports
the administration bill, Senator Fora
ker will offer his as a substitute on
the floor of the Senate, and then will
come one of the most trying tests
to which the Republican members of
that body have been subjected for
long time. Having great regard. DO
litical rather than social, for their
Negro constituents at this particular
time, the average Republican will
probably hesitate TO give them half
the loaf extended by the President
instead Of the whole loaf offered to
them by Senator Foraker.
But the Democrats also are in an
awkward position, particularly the
FIVE members of the Military Com
mittee, who, with the three Repub-
licans, signed the majority report de-
claring that the President was justi-
fed in discharging the battalion. On
account of the race prejudice in the
South, not because they enjoy up
holding the President. these Demo-
Gratis Endorsed his action: but now
they have serious doubts whether TO
support the bill TO enable the soldiers
TO re-enlist. Some of their colleagues
realize that they failed 10 embrace
a splendid opportunity to put It on
the Republicans, and instead of blam
ing themselves for #, they are dis
posed TO find fault with the Presi-
dent for leaving them in a hole.
However, the Republican members
OF the committee felt rather sheep
ish since. Soon after finding the Ne
gro soldiers guilty of shooting up
the town, they were impelled TO in
dorse a bill making 1t easy for them
to get back into the army.
Washington Post.