New-York tribune., 1908-04-01
FORAKER BARSNEGR0ES
CAN'T RETURN TO 4RMY.
Ohio Senator Totes 7cith Democrats
TO Kill Relief Measure.
rFronu The Tribune Bu-eau.l

Washington. March Sl.-Senator Foraker by Join
ing forces with the Democratic members OF the
Committee on Military Affairs who opposed to
having any negroes in the army. has made prac-
rioslly impossible the enactment OF any iegisla-
ton whereby soldiers discharged from the 18th
Infantry may be restored the army, whether
they prove their innocence or not Rather than
permit favorable report on the Warner bill.
which substantially in accord with the
-7endstion contained in the Presidents message
and which provided that every dismissed soldier
Who could prove his innocence might be restored.
N-. Foraker. together with Messrs Bulkeley and
FFe-nenrsy. voted with the five Democrats 10 re-
pert adversely the Warner measure.
Whether Mr.. Foraker prompted to deprive
the soldiers of that measure of Justice asked
for them by the President by anger because his
Gun bill had been rejected OF whether the Sen
ator from Ohio feared the enactment Of the War
bill would lead 10 the detection of the actual
culP-1ts through innocent ex-sodiers turning
evidence and thus disproving the arguments he
has made in the committee is not known but it is
q fact that one Of the so-called administration
Senator's called the attention Of the Ohio Senator
- the TACT that an adverse report the Warner
biu would deprive the discharged negroes Of any
possible relief. and that Mr.. Foraker admitted
that he realized that fact. The passage Of meas
which has been adversely reported by a com
Ulttee Of the Senate is practically without prece-
dent, and i IS certain II could be done in the
face of a united Democratic opposition.
Had Nessrs- Foraker, Bulkeley and Hernenway
voted with the other Republicans on the committee
II report tavorabIy the Warner bill there is little
doubt Jhat the measure would have been passed
b. The Senate by strict party vote and that thus
eve-y innocent negro would have been afforded
g chance Of proving his innocence and securing
restoration.
The first vote OF importance in to-day's meeting
o. The Military Affairs Committee came Oh a mo-
zion made by Mr.. Foraker 70 substitute his bill
for the Warner measure. This was defeated by
vote Of 70 4. the affirmative votes being
cast BY Messrs. Foraker, Buckley. Herenway and
Scott Nj. Foraker then moved 10 report ad-
versely the Warner bill, and his motion carried,
u 4 Messrs. Foraker. BuIkeley and Hem
enzaE and tie FIVE Democrats voting in the af-
T--lsIive and 3-essrs. Warren. Lodge, Warner and
d Pont Il the negative Senator Scott who is
believed 70 be sncerey II favor Of securing justice
for the negroes refrained from voting. Mr..
Foraker then moved Il report his own bill ad-
verseIy and the motion carried by ten votes, Nj,
Scott and TWO Democrats net voting
Senator's Warren. Lodge, Warner and Du Pont
then voted for a minority report in favor OF the
Warner bill The adverse reports would be made
tie Senate by Nj Foraker, and M Lodge will
also present the minority report tomorrow Pre-
Eunaby The discussion of the reports viii not be
Etn until April L, Mr.. Warner is obliged TO
leave the city, and Mr.. Foraker promised not TO
begin the discussion until his return
Considerable dsa ppoiztrnent was expressed AZ the
WHITE House the defeat in committee Of the
Warner bill AS the President advised the Senate
his message the proceedings looking 70 the
vindcation and restoration Of certain Of the negro
soldiers were begun a year ago but were sUs-
PENDED when the Senate decided 70 conduct an il
TestigaIion- IN the mean tine the period during
which the Executive has authority under the law
restore discharged soldiers has expired. and Mr..
Forakers course to-day deprlvea the dismissed
negroes ot al hope OF restoration, whether they
be innocent or guilty.