Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-18
PRESIDENT MUST
FURNISH PROOF
OF CORRUPTION
HOUSE CALLS ON ROOSEVELT
FOR EVIDENCE
INSISTS THAT SPECIFIC CHARGES
SHALL BE MADE
Resolution Passed Unanimously by
Solons Asking Chief Executive to
Substantiate Insinuations Made
Concerning Secret Service

WI ASHINGTON, Dec. H. Chair
H " man Perkins of the house spe-
cial committee appointed to rec
ommend a course of action relative to
the suggestions of the president in his
annual message concerning the secret
service, to which members of congress
have taken exceptions. presented a re-
port of that committee at the begin
ming of today's session of the house.
The house adopted the Perkins reso-
luton withoua dissenting vote and
after very little comment.
Mr.. Cochran of New York suggested
that it should be made applicable to
congress as a whole and not merely to
the house, but the change was not
made.
The preamble follows:
! Whereas, there was contained in the
sundry civil bill which passed congress
| at its last session and became a law
provision in reference to the employ
ment of the secret service of the treas
ury department, and
Whereas, in the last annual message
of the president of the United States
| to the two houses of congress it 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 to criminal
classes and it was further stated, the
| chief argument in favor of the pro-
vision was that the congfessmen did
not themselves wish to be investigated
by secret service men, and it was fur
ther stated, but if this Is not consid-
cred desirable a special exception could
be made in the law prohibiting the use
of the secret service force in investi-
| As,rr !, xsF
be far better to do this than to do
what actually was done and strive to
prevent or at least to hamper effect
i've action against criminals by the ex-
ecutive branch of the government
Implies. congressman Fear Exposure
"Whereas. the plain meaning of the
above words is that the majority of
congressman are in fear of being in
Vestigated by secret service men and
that congress as a whole was actuated
by that motive in enacting the pro-
vision in question, and
"Whereas, your committee appointed
to consider these statements of the
president and report to the house can
not find in the hearings before COM
mittees nor in the records of the house |
or senate any justification of this i'm
parchment of the honor and integrity
of the congress, and
"Whereas, your committee would pre-
fer, in order to make an intelligent
and comprehensive report, just to the
president as we'll as to the congress,
to have all the information which the
president may have, therefore be it
"Resolved, that the president be re-
ouested to transmit to the house any
evidence upon which he based his
statement that the. chief argument in
favor of the provision was that the
Iar1 cpIxTAc yricb
to be investigated by secret service
men, and also to transmit to the house |
any evidence connecting any member |
of the house of the siXtieth congress |
with corrupt action in his official ca
pacity, and to inform the house Wheth- |
er he has instituted proceedings for |
the punishment of any such individual |
by the courts, or has reported any such |
alleged delinquence to the house."
Unanimously Recommended
In reporting the resolution Mr. Per-
kins said 1t had been unanimously |
recommended by the Special committee,
and said as soon as the president |
should send in any information in his |
possession the committee would make |
another report for the consideration
of the house.
Representative John Sharp Williams
expressed the hope the resolution
WOulu De tIuOpleQ pIuulpIly. Il6 Sellu
the committee would impartially report
on this seemingly unprovoked and un-
justified attack upon the honesty and
of the legislative branch Of
the government"
$50 far as the committee knows"
said Mr.. Williams, there is not
of evidence 10 support that
statement by the president. The COM
mittee has thought it would be fair
to the president to give him further
to produce testimony if he
has any. The American people have
a right to know if the American con-
gress be corrupt"
"Such a procedure" he continued.
would allow the country which he said
was the master of both of us" to ex-
ercise Judgment in the matter.
The special committee, he said,
would remain in session to receive,
compare and weigh whatever compe-
tent evidence the president can fur
nish with fair and just impartiality.
Mr. Williams said the committee was
by desire to be entirely just
to the president.
Mr.. Keifer of Ohio wanted to know
the words "if not incompat-
ible with the public service" should be
as is usual on calling upon
the president for information This
suggestion called forth laughter, and
Mr.. Perkins declared the resolution as
worded was "a request for informa-
rion," and was imperative in it's word
ing.
Mr.. Perkins cut off further discus
Sion by demanding the previous ques- t
ton and Speaker Cannon calling for
4 viva voce vote, there was a chorus of
ayes" favoring the passage of the
followed by a dead silence
when the noes" were called for.
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