Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-05-23
FORAKER IS BUSY
Wants Negroes 10 Work For In. serilon of Plank on Repub-
 Iican Platform.

f
 'O0,000 negroes of the United States will be urged to work for the inser- tion of a plank in the republican platform at Chicago pledging such action as will result in the negro soldiers dismissed without honor for alleged complicity in the rioting at Brownsville being restored to the army. If it is found impossible to obtain such a declaration from the convention the negroes will be re- quested to take the matter up with individual senators and representa- tives, with the expectation that suf- ficient strength can be gained by next December to adopt the Foraker reinstatement bill when a vote IS reached in congress.
 In a letter to Richard D. White of Cambridge, Mass, and subsequent ly quoted in a communication 10 John E. Milholland. chairman of the executive committee of the Constl- tutional league of the United States, New York city, Senator Foraker states his reasons for consenting to a postponement of the vote in the senate on the restoration Of the Brownsville battalion. Senator For aker says:
 with the president active in his
 opposition, personally importuning senators, I was unable to get a vote, even if I succeeded in getting the i. s-f.~ flx to pass the bill if did get vote. At most, could get assurances or only 35 vo.es, and some or those were wavering. It was necessary to have AT. A vote at this time, there fore. meant defeat and the end oS all hope of restoring the soldiers. Postponement was better, because, in the first place, it could not be worse; and, in the second place, It keeps the subject alive and in practical form of consideration dur ing the present campaign. The whole country knows that the Brownsville subject has been narrowed down to a question of my bill, which means complete restoration, or the Warner bill, which means whatever the whim of the president may see it to allow, and that, I am satisfied, would be very little, if anything.
 "As late as April 24 he wrote to Senator William Alden Smith Of Michigan that he thought many, if not all, the soldiers guilty, and that there was no excuse for sympathy for them than there would be for sym pathy with Czolgosz or Giteau, and that my bill meant only to force a lot of murderers and perjurers back into the army and that he would feel 1t his duty if we passed to veto 1t, and If we passed 1t over his veto he would refuse to enforce 1t.
 'I have no doubt of passing the bill in December because enough republi- cans have promised me that 1T would allow the bill to go over until then they would at that time vote with me to pass 1t, but in view of the presidents frame of mind, and his ex- pressed purpose to veto the bill, we must, If possible, have two-thirds vote, and this brings up a efature of this newly made situation that will, hope, enable us to get this additional strength.
 "If the bill had been voted upon and defeated at this session the color. cd voters of the country would not nave had any means of showing their displeasure, except by voting against the party in a spirit of revenge. Now, with the bill postponed, they have at least a living issue and they have a right to demand of republican candi- dates for office, including our candi- dates for president and vice-presi- dent and all other candidates for re- electoion to the senate and to the house of representatives that they will pledge themselves to support the Foraker bill.
 ed people of the United States can greatly help, not only the soldiers but the whole race by causing themselevs to be felt and appreciated as they never have been bfore. When they come to realize their opportunity, think they will all be proud to take a direct and effective part in what should be to them labor of love.
 ''I am firm believer in the inter vention of Divine Providence In the affairs of men. While postponement was to me a bitter and reluctant con- clusion, yet feel that after all 1t was Gods ordering and that in due time we shall all see and appreciate that what now appears to be so disappoinI- ing and discouraging is for the best"