The sun., 1908-05-09
PRESDENTWOULDIGNORELAW
WRITES TO TWO SENATOR'S
ABOUT NEGRO TROOPS.
says That II Foraker Blll Is Passed He
VIII Veto II and II Passed over His
Veto lie VIII Not Obey It-Matter
likely 20 Come Vp In the senate.

Veto lie VIII Not Obey It-Matter
LIKELY 20 Come Up In the senate.
WASHINGTON May s.-Three personal or
semi-oficial letters written by President
Roosevelt to an equal number Of United
States Senators have produced something
of a sensation in the upper house, where
critical comment is widespread, and there
ia some talk Of action which may take the
form Of a virtual rebuke to the President
The letters have to do with the Brownsville
ARRAY and the course Of the Administration
in exiling Col. William F, Stewart, veteran
army officer
In his comment on the Brownsville Incl
dent the President says he will veto the
pending Foraker bill to permit the rostora-
ton Of the discharged negro soldiers il it is
passed and will ignore the dictum Of Con-
gress if the measure is reenacted over his
veto,
The three letters were written to Senators
William Alden Smith Of Michigan, John W.
Stewart Of Vermont and lsidor Rayner OF
Maryland The original threat to veto
was made in the communication to Mr.
Smith, and it is understood that it has been
repeated in the letter TO Mr.. Stewart.
The letter to Mr. Rayner deals with the
case Of Col. Stewart and is said to be full
Of unstinted condemnation Of that officer
and justification Of the Presidents action
in ordering him to an ungarrisoned post
in the Arizona desert and subsequently,
after Col. Stewart had been transferred
20 a more desirable station in Florida
ordering him back 10 Arizona.
According 10 gossip around the Capitol
to-day one or all Of these letters may be
read in the Senate next week. Republican
Congress leaders are reported to be alarmed
over that prospect, believing that II the com
munications became public the Senate will
feel obliged as a matter Of pride and dignity,
TO take some formal action showing its
resentment Of a threat from the EA ecutiveto
refuse 20 abide by the direction of the Legis-
lature embodied in law Of the land.
Efforts are being made, it is said, to pre-
vent the subject Of these letters from being
mentioned in public debate. 1t is realized
that the adoption Of resolution condemn
ing the Presidents attitude might produce
serious party disturbance, and with the
certainty Of hard campaign the leaders
will go far TO prevent anything that wlll
tend to injure party success Then again
there is a disposition to avoid casting any
reflection upon the President, not merely
for his own sake but on account OF the high
Office which he holds.
Many Senators have seen and read all
three letters. whilqh large number Of Sena-
tors have heard from their colleagues wnat
the communications contained. II is re-
lated that in one Of the letters the Presi-
dent says in referring to the effort to re-
store TO the army the negro soldiers who
we're stationed at Brownsville that there
is always maudln sentiment for muir
derers in every community, and he points
to the case Of Harry Thaw as an example,
This sentiment has caused much resent
ment. particularly among Senators who
are disposed to favor the restoration OF the
discharged negro soldiers with the least
possible formality,
The Presidents letter 10 Senator Stew
art was based on a remark made by that
Senator in debate recently which was in
terpreted by the President as an indication
that Senator Stewart would vote for the
Foraker bill to restore the discharged
soldiers With that letter MIR Roosevelt
enclosed copies Of his letters to Senators
Smith and Rayner and this fact has led to
a suspicion that the President Is not too
anxious for the veil Of secrecy.
II this suspicion is correct the Presidents
desire is not shared by'a very large num-
Der of Republican Senators who do not
wish to be placed in the embarrassing posi-
tion Of being compelled to uphold the dig
nity Of the Senate at the expense OF utter
ing a public rebuke to the President OF the
United States. The Presidents comments
on the Brownsville case in the Stewart let
ter are said to be very bitter and to con-
tain a hard slap at those Senators who have
fought for the cause Of the men dismissed
from the army as a result OF the Browns
vile ARRAY
Senator Rayner who has taken a great
interest in the case Of Col Stewart, mainly
because Col Stewart was a kinsman Of
the late Senator William Pinkney Whyte,
Mr.. Rayners former colleague, wrote the
President this week requesting that Cox,
Stewards demand for a court Of inquiry
10 investigate any charges that might
be pending against him be granted. Mr..
Rayner told the President that unless
the demand was granted he would publicly
bring the matter to the attention Of the
Senate.
In his response. which was received by
Mr.. Rayner last night. the President crit
cises Col. Stewart severely, He promised,
however, to take the application for a court
OF inquiry under consideration, but made il
plain that he did not think the court shoGld
be ordered. II is expected that the Presi-
dent will decline TO grant Col Stewart's
application for an investigation, and in
that event Senator Rayner will present
a resolution either calling for all the papers
relating TO this remarkable case or pro-
viding for an investigation by the Senate
itself
It is said that in addressing the Senate
on this proposed resolution Mr., Rayner
will read the letter which he received from
the President, and great fear is expressed
that such action will lead TO mention Of
the letters to Senators Smith and Stewart
and probably to their productioH-in open
Senate. This would doubtless precipitate
a debate on the question whetheHthe dignity