Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-14

not necessary was occupied. Before nall
past 10 o'clock one of the mems public
galleries was completely filled and there
were only four white men in the entire
section. The other mems gallery did not
fill SO quickly. but by II o'clock it also
was occupied to its entire capacity, and
more than half of the occupants were ne
groes.
Large Preponderance Being Negroes.
The ladies' public gallery similarly was
taken possession of. the preponderance of
attendance being negroes. There WAS then
left only the reserved galleries, which are
not usually opened until quarter of l.
o'clock, but to day they were thrown open
at quarter past IL. But long before
that time the corridors were crowded. Or
1inarily the reserved galleries are occu-
pied entirely by white people. but on this
occasion fully two-thirds Of the seats
were filled by negroes, both sexes being
represented. Long before the Senate
opened every seat had been taken and the
corridors contained almost enough people
to refill the galleries. 1t was evident from
the beginning that the Ohio senator was
expected tn make a satisfying defense al
the negro race and that he would not lack
an appreciative audience. The utmost
good order prevailed.
A Brief Statement First.
Senator Foraker began his speech about
1I:3O pm. Before entering upon the read
ing of voluminous manuscript he made Il
brief statement to the effect that he had
a newspaper clipping in his hand in which
1t was stated that he intended TO make a
three-day speech on the Brownsville" ar
fray and in the course OF it To make
bitter attack on the President and Se'r'-
tary of War. He said he never mad. Il
speech lasting three days. ana Ie had nr
vengeance to seek. and therefore WAS not
going to attack anybody. lie merely
wished, he said. 10 present certain facts
and to attempt TO right a wrong. la
apologizing for the use of manuscript, ht
declared that it was usually his custom
TO speak impromptu. and when he did re
duce his opinions to writing. considered II
a compliment to his subject.
Before Mr.. Foraker had progressed very
far Speaker Cannon of the House of Rep
resentatives joined the large audience OF
members OF the House which crowded
the edges of the chamber.
Analysis of Testimony
a careful analysis of testimony taken in
the investigation of the shooting up of
Brownsville. Tex, August 13 and ii. 1906.
and an argument in favor of the re-eu-
listment of the coored soldiers of the
25th Regiment, United States Infantry.
was made in a speech delivered today by
Senator Foraker OF Ohio.
The Senate gave an attentive hearing to
Mr.. Foraker. the attendance being laree
On both sides of the chamber. while the
galleries were filed with visitors.
Before entering upon this labor said
Mr. Foraker, in opening his speech. ii
may not be amiss to remark. in view OF
the many Inisstatements that have been
made, that the purpose % this inVestiga-
ton has not been 10 embarrass the Presi-
dent anybody else: nor has il been To
make any capital of any kind. political or
otherwise against anybody or for any
body"
The senator said that the investigation
was to find the facts in the case as a
guide to intelligent action. He reviewed
the incidents preceding the Senate inves-
tigation and said the soldiers gave their
evidence with such straightforward frank
ness and with such manifest truthfuIness
that. in his opinion, nothing remains to
show their complete vindication except
only the discovery of the real culprits
which time will surely make unless the
adage that murder will out" has ceased
to be a truth.
Criticises Testimony.
He reviewed the various incidents and
orders that led up to the discharge OF
the men without honor Most of the
witnesses against the soldiers. he said.
testified four different times concerning
the afYray.
''Their testimony given is sufficiently
to snow that il is unrelia-
bile. he said. But. aside from the con-
tradictiors on account of the darkness
of the night many things that We're testf-