Bismarck daily tribune., 1908-03-13
RE|NSTA1E
THE negroes
The Senate Military Commit
tee Reports Favoring
Such Action
lis Probable That in a YeaJ
COlOred Soldiers Can
ReenIiSt

Washington, Mar. 12-Reports
from the committee cn military affairs
were presented to senate yesterday in
regard to the investigation Of the af
fray at Brownsville; Texas, which re-
suited in the discharge without honor
of three companies of negro soldiers
of the 25th infantry. At the samt
time message was received from
the president calling attention to the
fact that the testimony taken by the
committee sustains his position in dis,
charging the soldiers. He recon-
mends the extension of time for re-
enlistment of the discharged men who
might be found not to fall within the
terms of the order.
There were four reports from the
committee, the majority being sign
ed by Senators Warren, Lodge, Warn
er Dupont, Taliaferro, Foster, Over.
man, Frazier and McCreary. The min.
ority report was signed by Senators
Foraker, Scott, Bulkely and Hemen.
way. The majority report is as fol
lows:
That in the opinion of the commit.
tee the shooting was done by some OF
the soldiers belonging to the 10Th in
fantry; that the testimony fails to
identify the particular soldier or sold.
iers who participated in the ARRAY
It is stated that there is considerable
contradiction in the testimony, but
that taken as whole and reconciling
it wherever possible it proves the case
outlined in the majority's decision.
The pricipal minority report was
presented by Senator Scott and TAX
the position that it has been impossi
BILE to ascertain who did the shoot
ing and makes recommendations that
the negro soldiers be restored. In
addition to this minority report, Sen
ators Foraker and Bulkely Joined il
a supplemental report which was pre-
sented by Senator Foraker.
Senator Foraker's report declared
| that the testimony of eye witnesse!
| against the negro soldiers is not re
liable and that no motive for thei
alleged connection with the affray
had been shown.
A supplemental report signed b,
Senator Warner, Lodge and Dupor
! declares that under the evidence it i
shown that the assault was perpetra
) ed by members of the battalion, bu
that it is reasonable to believe tha
} all of the soldiers were not concerne
in the commission of the crime, eitl
er as principals or accessories. The
recommend that it would be justice
restore to all of the innocent men th
rights and privileges which had a
crued to then: by reason Of their pr
vious service in the army. The bill
presented authorizing the presidel
within one year after the passage I
the act to authorize the enlistment
any Of the men whom he may
satisfied had no connection with tt
shooting.
!, Senator Foraker included in his +
port a bill, previously introduce
which provides for the same gener
purpose. This bill, however, won
compel the war department to acce
the enlistment of any one of the d.
charged negroes who makes an GA
that he was not connected with t
shooting.
After an exchange of words betwe
Mr.. Foraker and Mr. Warren the /;
ter said the bill permitting re-enh
ment of soldiers would be introdl
ed very soon.
There were matters concerni
their pay that would have to be &C
sidered before the bill could be ?
\ in.
4 Mr.. Foraker said he wanted to kn.
a what the committee proposed to {
& because he might have bill to put
himself.
Mr.. Warren said he thought t
committee bill would restore all rigf
with pay to commence at the time
reinstatement