New-York tribune., 1908-12-12
HOUSE MAKES REPLY
CONSIDERS IT'S DIGNITY
ASSAILED BY PRESIDENT.
Committee appointed to Adrise Ac-
ton on Secret Service Clause of
MesSage-VOte Unanimous.
From The Tribrne Bureau

may be followed by sensational Develop
ments. Without debate and by unanimous vote
il passed resolution introduced by Representa-
tive Perkins of New York providing that
committee of five members be- appointed 70
consider the statements contained in the mes
sage of the President relating to the Secret
Service and report to the House what action
if any. should be taken in reference thereto
The Speaker Immediately appointed q COMMITTEES
consisting OF REPRESENTATIVES Perkins. DENLY. ~
Michigan; Weeks. OF Massachusetts: John Sharp
Williams. of Mississippi. and Lloyd. Of Mis-
souri, This committee will hold its preliminary
meeting tomorrow morning. and hopes 10 he
able TO report to the House on Monday II IL
expected that it will recommend that the portion
of the message to which certain members u
Congress have taken violent exception he laid
on the Speakers table. in which ease il viii not
appear in the record Of the House proceedings
and will never again be officially heard Of
THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
The House had scarcely convened when Mr.
Perkins. ardent supporter Of the Presidents
administrative policies and man whose per
sOnaI integrity has never been questioned vas
recognized by the Speaker. He was chosen as
the best man to perform the duty required, as
his entire record in Congress has been one ot
independent thought fearlessness and absolute
disregard of the machine He arose to a ques-
lowing resolution. while the House awaited the
reading with unsuppressed curiosity
Whereas There was contained in the sundr7
civil appropriation bill which passed Congress
at its last session and became a law. provision
in reference TO the ennlovrneut Of tho secret
Service in the Treasury Department. and
Whereas. In the message of the President %
the United states to the two houses If Congress
IL was statedsin reference to that provision 1t
is not too much 20 say that this amendment has
been of benefit only. and could he of benefit only.
20 tne cLIill'hal CidSSts, dIlu u NdS ~ ~ -
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 il further stated but II
this is not considered desirable special eSCep-
tou could be made in the law. prohibiting the
use the Secret Service force in inveStiga ting
members of the Congress. II would be far better
to do this than to do what was actually done.
and strive to prevent or at least to hamper.
effective action against criminals by the eXeCH-
tive branch Of the government
Now. therefore. be it resolved. That commit
tee of five members of this House be appointed
/ by the Speaker to consider the statements con-
tanned in the message Of the President and report
to the House what action II any, should be taken
in reference thereto
REMARKS OF MIR PERKINS.
When the reading ended There was not =
sound from the House except the slight noise
made by the members as they turned to face
Representative Perkins, who said
do not believe in oversensitiveness to un-
favorable criticism. whether upon an individual
or upon public body But while there may b.
undue sensitiveness. so. also. there may be IN
due Obtuseness which might argue a lack %
proper sef-TeSpeCt.
It is of Importance 20 the Republic that all %
the coordinate branches Of the government
should possess in a high degr-e the confidence
and respect OF the people Wild 20 no one ia
nv respect for the Chief Executive of the
United States: and 1 yield 10 ~ one i'm ms re-
spect for the Congress of the United StIt"S- To
the Congress is granted great power. and upon
1t are imposed great reSIoIiSlDiIlti'S- we can
not neglect our duties nor shirS our response
blhtleS- Inc dlghlty OF thdt 9'IS SnyulG yI ''S
be puncuHously insisted upon but II Slous1 oe
properly maintained. The statements made bT
the President of the United states cannot be
lightly disregarded- Ihey may De 50 construed
by the public to lessen the dignity and there
by impair the usefulness Of the Congress of the
United States 1t can be justly said. think. that
these expressions were unfortunate. Whether
il is enough TO say this. or whether some more
formal action should be taken. it will be for
Congress exercising a wise and discreet judS-
We are the representatives OF ninety millions
of people We are the legislative body Of =
great nation. I am there is no one who
has the honor to be member of this Congress
who will hesitate To approve such action as may
be required BY proper regard for the dignity
of the body which we belong and Of the
people whose representatives We are
just before he pronounced the word 'unforts-
nate" characterizing the Presidents statemeaA
Mr.. Perkins paused for moment as If to thirk
of word which would MT the situation. His
colleagues leaned forward in their chairs. real
izine that much of the proceedings which
TO follow the resolution would depend largely on
the term he used. When unfortunate Was
spoken there was sigh OF relief, both from the
Presidents friends. who believe that IL he takes
any notice OF the affair it will be to the regret
of the House. and from his enemies. who feel
that unfortunate is far il is wise 10 CO.
The vote not loud, but most OF the Repub-
lican members murmured solemn aye, - while
the Democrats swelled the chorus without their
usual enthusiasm. number OF members sur
rounded Mr.. Perkins and congratulated him on
his speech concerning which nothing but IA
vorable comments were heard. the consensus OF
perate utteranCe.
1t is known that such unanimity viii not
greet the report OF the committee in case IL
recommends the laying OF the message the
table Several members have intimated that
they will insist ON a serious investigation II
such action is recommended BY the committee.
so that those who have been indulgIng in yIo-
lent private criticisms may not have Oppor-
tunity to claim victory without a struggle IL
can safely be said that great number Of Re-
publicdns in the House favor the Presidents
Secret Service policy, and the only reason that
this was not asserted in the House to-day was
due to the fact that the President seemed en-
tirely unconcerned to what action was taken
PROBABLE ACTION OF SENATE
The Senate leaders expect that similar action
will be taken in that body on Monday although
il S not yet definitely settled whether the fnits
tive will be taken by the Republicans or the
Democrats. Present Indications are that a prom
inent Republican will introduce the resolution
and that. instead Of providing for select COM
mittee. it win refer the Secret Service passage