Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-12-15
IN THE SENATE.

Washington. Dec lathe Browns
vile affair consumed almost the entire
session of the Senate today Senator
Foraker obtained the floor early in the
day and read letters from a former
me mber Of the 25th Infantry, telling OF
the acts Of the government detectives
in attempts to get confession from
him. MIR Foraker introduced an
amendment to his original bill for the
re enlistment Of the discharged SOL
diers, providing that a commission Of
three retired army officers be created
TO determine which Of such soldiers are
innocent of completely in the shooting
up of Brownsville as prerequisite
for their re-enlistment instead of leav-
ing that duty with the President as
provided by the Warner bill
The Presidents message giving the
results Of the war departments inves-
LEGATION of the Brownsville affair was
read and Mr.. Foraker again took the
floor to comment upon the message
Senatr Carter announced that tomor-
row he would speak upon the postal
savings hank bill and would ask that
it be made the unfinished business OF
the Senate.
Washington. Dec. Ex-senator For
aker today introduced an amendment
to the bill providing for the re-enlist-
ment of Negro troops discharged with
out honor because of alleged partici-
patton in the ARRAY at Brownsville,
Tex, and addressed the Senate con-
corning the amendment He proposes
in his new measure to establish a tri-
bunal consisting of retired army Off
GERS, naming these officers in the bill,
before whom evidence may be submit
ted as to the guilt of defendants and
before whom the defendants them
selves might appear to answer charges
The measure practically was out of the
hands of the Executive and give to a
tribunal appointed by Congress full au-
thority to consider the Brownsville
question and by it's finding provide for
the re-enlistment Of the discharged
Negroes.
In addressing the Senate Mr. For
aker said that he had not expected it
would be necessary to enter upon a
new investigation OF the Brownsville
question, but that during the summer
letters had been coming to him from
the discharged Negroes, declaring that
detectives were constantly engaging
them in conversation.
THESE men," said Senator Foraker
ARE not secret service detectives. of
course, for they would have no right
under the law to engage in such ser
vice.
The senator spoke of the activities of
the detectives, as outlined by his cor
respondents, saying in many cases
they even took up their dwelling with
the discharged soldiers for the purpose
of securing their confidence. The sena-
tor read extracts from the letters.
One of the soldiers wrote Senator
Foraker that he was questioned by
detective in respect to any letters he
might have received from the senator.
The soldier told the detective that he
had one letter from the senator and
when ne showed it to him. he remark
ed that "there was nothing in it to
hurt"
Upon the conclusion of Mr.. Foraker's
remarks. Mr. Culberson asked that the
Presidents message on the Brownsville
affair be read and Vice President Fair
banks ordered that that be done. all
SeIdlOIS present. - S''NA
seats and listening attentively to the
reading.
After the reading of the message. which
was brief, had been concluded the clerk
read all the statements and other evil
dence submitted to the war department
for which the Presidents message was
merely a letter of transmittal. Ordina-
rily these general reports are sent to the
~ F-, ,,1y fv,l
of reading In view of the fact that the
report contains what purports to be