The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-12-23
BROWNSVILLE DISCUSSION.
SENATOR FORAKER SPEAKS AND
PRESIDENT WRITES ABOUT 1T,
Shooting-Up OF Texas Town, Which
Resulted i'm Discharge Of Three
Companies of Negro Soldiers, Be-
fore Senate Observation-Disclosures
Wants InvestigatiOn-Presid
Willing for Innocent Troopers to be
ReinStated.

Willing for Innocent Troopers to be
Reinstated.
Washington, Dec. 14.-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 affray at Brownsville,
Texas. and addressed the senate con-
cerning the amendment. He proposes
in his new measure to establish a tri-
bunal consisting of retired army Of
ficers, 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 is so drawn as practi-
cally to take out of the hands of the
executive and give to tribunal ap-
pointed by congress, full authority to
consider the Brownsville question and
by Its findings provide for the re-en-
listment of the discharged negroes. In
addressing the senate Mr.. Foraker
said 1T was an elementary proposition
In American law that the accused may
have an opportunity to confront the
accuser and to appear in person and
answer evidence with evidence. He
said that he had not expected it would
be necessary to enter upon a new in
vestigation Of the Brownsville ques-
ton. but that during the summer let
ters had been coming to him from
these discharged negro soldiers de-
claring that detectives were constant
ly 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."
Continuing the senator spoke Of the
activities Of the detectives, as outlined
by his correspondents. saying that in
many cases they went so far as to take
up their dwelling with the discharged
soldiers for the purpose of securing
their confidence and spying upon their
movements. The senator read some
extracts from the letters, q batch of
which he held in his hand as he spoke.
One soldier wrote to Senator For
aker that he was questioned by a de-
tective in response to any letters he
might have received from the senator.
There seems to be a good deal of
interest about my correspondence"
added Mr.. Foraker.
Upon the conclusion OF Mr.. .rorak-
er's remarks Mr.. Culberson asked that
the presidents message on the
Brownsville affair be read, and Vice
President Fairbanks directed that that
be done, all senator's present remain
ink in their seats and listening atten.
lively to the reading.
Senator Foraker took the floor as
soon as the presidents message and
the accompanying reports had been
read. He read letter from Boyd
Conyers, discharged soldier, who is
alleged to have made a confession to
colored detective named Lawson
whose report accompanies others con-
tanned in the document made up by
the war department and read TODAY:
In his letter to Senator Foraker Con-
yers speaks of the visit Of Lawson to
Monroe. Ga. where Conyers has been
living. Conyers says he learned that
Lawson was there to "pick" him, and
that he had the "high sheriff" to ar
rest Lawson. AS Lawson had not had
an opportunity to have a private talk
with Conyers, according to the latter's
letter, it made him angry, and Con-
yers says Lawson told lies" to the
sheriff about him.
AT this point Mr.. Foraker referred
caustically to this colored detective.
calling attention to the fact that his
high sounding, smooth, logical report
is signed with his mark" and pausing
70 look around the senate. the sena-
tor added:
when this thing is gone to the bot
tom of all, honest men will be ashamed
Of it,
Mr.. Foraker said the statement of
the president concerning this investi
cation by detectives showed the pro-
priety of adopting such provision as
that embodied in hiS n,,annd.,on. .rI