The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-12-15

9reSSman PERKINS odiu otate"S"eS
BY the President Could Not Be
Lightly DIsresarded--Mr. Roosevelt
Getting Ready to "come Back With
q Broadslde Of His Heaviest Guns.
Washington, Dec. 12.-Resolutions
which in themselves are a criticism
of President Roosevelt were passed
without dissent by the house. They
appointed a committee OF five 10 con
slider several statements made by the
chief executive In his annual message
10 congress. which representatives
think Objectionable. and one statement
with which the house takes issue.
Definite reference is made to that
part of the presidents message which
suggested that the reason congress
knocked out the employment OF secret
service men by the treasury depart
ment was because members OF con
gress did not want themselves inves-
tigated.
The resolutions were presented to
the house by Mr. Perkins, OF New
York, and were adopted without divi-
sion. The following committee was ap-
pointed to consider the alleged quess
tionabie statements: Messrs. Perkins,
OF New York; DENLY. OF Michigan;
Weeks. OF Massachusetts,; Williams.
OF Mississippi, and Lloyd. OF Missouri.
The Resolutions.
These are the resolutions as they
passed the house:
Whereas. There was contained In
the sundry civil appropriation bill
which passed congress at its last ses-
sion and became law. provision In
reference to the employment Of the
secret service in the treasury depart
ment; and.
Whereas. In the message OF the
president of the United States to the
two houses OF congress 1t was stated
in reference to that provision, II is
not too much to say that this amend
ment has been OF benefit only. and
could be Of benefit only TO the crimi-
nal classes and II was further stated,
The chief argument In favor or the
provision was that the congressman
did not themselves wish to be inyesu-
gated by secret service men, and II
was further stated, but II this Is not
considered desirable. a special excep-
ton should be made In the law pro-
hibiting the use of the secret service
force in investigating members of con-
gress. II would be far better to do
this than to do what was actually done
and strive to prevent or at least to
hamper effective action against crimi-
nails by the executive branch of the
government. Now. therefore. be 1t
Resolved, That committee OF five
members of this house be appointed
by the speaker to consider the state
ments contained In the message of the
president and report to the house what
action, II any. should be taken In refer
ence thereto"
In submitting the resolution, Mr..
the president could not be lightly dis
regarded, as they might impair the
usefulness of the congress. that undue
obtuseness might argue a lack OF
proper self-respect.
President May Return 5rosdside.
The president is keenly alive to the
purpose OF the men in the house and
senate to "rebuke" him and he is get
ting ready to return a broadside OF
his heaviest guns.
TO this end he is diligently accumu'
lating a mass OF material which will
serve as ammunition for lombard
iment of congress should any affront
be given to him through any action 1t
may take If he should be forced to
take this step the result would be
most sensational, and the conse-
auences to more than one member OF
congress might prove disastrous.