The sun., 1908-12-17
SENATE RESOLVES TO RESENT
THE OFFENSIVE PARAGRAPH
IN THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Resolutions offered by Senator Aldrich
Provide for thorough Inquiry Into
the Administrator Spying system

gave thought to-day TO the attack on
both branches OF Congress that Is con-
tanned iR the paragraph relating to the
secret service In the annual message
OF President Roosevelt. There was no
hating or apprehension OF consequences
In graphing with the subject. but on the
contrary both sides OF the chamber
seemed united in a stern resolve to resent
what they commonly regarded as gratu-
itous personal offence in a manner con-
sistent with the dignity OF the highest
legislative body in the United States.
Action Of an uncompromising charact or
was indicated by the course adopted by
the leaders and followers Of both parties
in the Senate in putting the order Of re-
dress in the hands OF Senator Aldrioh Of
Rhode Island, recognizing MIN in this
instance not alone Is the leader Of the
majority but as the leader Of the Senate.
Mr.. Aldrich accepted the responsibility.
with its implied compliment, that came
to him without formal consideration. but
by common consent and without hesita-
ton he offered a resolution that open ed
the way for an expression by the Senate
after a judicial inquiry had been made.
To that he added an earnest OF good
faith and fxity Of purpose by acceptin
without question amendments proposed
by Senator Culberson OF Texas. the leader
of the minority.
Either Congress is the most Infamous
body in the world. observed Mr.. Bailey.
-or it will take speedy action on the gross
est and most walton insult ever offered
any legislative body in the world. / can
not understand the delicacy which Sena-
tors have shown in dealing with the
President. He has not been considerate
in his dealings with Congress. l doubt
if any Mayor in the United States ever
sent such message to corrupt city
council.
Mr.. Bailey thought it regrettable that
the question whether the honor Of Con-
gress had been impeached should he
connected in the resolution of inquiry
with the question OF the uses made Of
the secret service.
The duty Of Congress is plain said
he. 1T must answer to the impeachment
not only Of its patriotism but of its COM
mon honesty
Senator Culberson opened with this
deliberate abatement which he declared
he lad made privately, and now wished
to make publicly, referring to the objec-
tionable paragraph OF the Presidents
message:
Il believe it was a deliberate. studied
and gratuitous insult to the Congress Of
the United States by the President Of the
United States. have no doubt. he con-
tinued, that Senators on the other side
Of the chamber feel as deeply the insult
as Senators on this side, but | would cay
that thought the resolutions offered by
the Senator from Rhode Island were not
sufficiently emphatio IN asserting the
self-respect and integrity Of this chamber.
thought 1t proper that the entire offensive
paragraph of the message should be in
corporated in the resolutions. so as to
keep IL not only before the mind Of the
Senate but before the min d of the coun-
try
"The question is, interjected Mr. Till !
Vaan OF South Carolina, whether We are
Is sit still and continue to be silent under
the imputatlon that we are lot of rascals
who ought TO go to the pen:cntisry.'
As finally adopted, the amended Aldrich |
resolutions, accompanied by assurances
Of their author, satisfied both sides. They |
were as follows;
Resoired. That that portion Of the annual |
message Of the President relating 10 the |
secret service is hereby referred TO the
Committee on Appropriations. who are in !
structed TO inquire whether the legislation |
l.. as..l a
efficiency or sufficiency Of the force en-
poyed In the secret service; and such COM
nittee are further directed to ascertain |
what persons other than those included In |
the secret service were paid from the public |
treasury during the fiscal year ended June |
40. 1908. for services In connection with the |
enforcement Of the laws or work in the de-
lection or investigation of stmasters or |
criminal acts or violations OF law including |
all. special attorneys. special agents, in
spectors or other employees OF any depart
ment of the Government or any branch of
the public service, and also the same infor-
nation "a to all persons whose employment
was authorized by indefinite or general ap-
preparations; the information to contain
the names OF all persons so employed or
paid. their previous occupation. the nature |
Of the workfn which they were engaged. by |
whom they were appointed and upon whose
suggestion or recommendation. The in
quiry. however. not TO include officers ap-
pointed by the President and confirmed by
the Senate or officers specifically provided
for by law. or laborers appointed as such
and actually engaged in employment as
laboreTs.
For ths purpose Of carrying out the in
structions OF the Senate. the Committee on
Appropriations are hereby authorized. by
or otherwise. to sit during
the sessions or recess of the Senate, to send
for persons and papers, TO subpoena Wit
nesses. administer oaths examine witnesses
under oath, and TO employ such clerical and
other assistance as to enable the committee
10 report promptly and fully upon the mat
ters contained in this inquiry: the expense
Of the Investigation 10 be paid from the con-
tingent funds OF the Senate upon vouchers
by the acting chairman Of the
Committee on Appropriations.
report as soon as practicable. from time TO
time the results OF their inquiry, and to
make such recommendations as they may ,
see ht with reference thereto, and further ,
TO report what action II any, In the judg-
ment Of the committee, the Senate should
take with reference to that portion OF the
message.
The resolutions were first referred to
the committee to audit and control the
expenses as n matter Of form. as they
an expenditure of money.
Senator Kean Of New Jersey, chairman Of
The committee, promptly roee in his seat
md ranorfad fhetn hack fayorahlv After