Omaha daily bee., 1908-03-12
DISCHARGE OF NEGRO TROOPS
Majority Of Senate COMMITTEES Justi-
fes Action Of President.
Executive sends Special Message 10
senate Relative tn BiH to PermIt
Reanstatememt 90 Inns-
eent Men.

WASHINGTON. March 11.-Raports from
the committee on military affairs we're
presented to the senate today in regard to
the affair. at Brownsville. Tex, which re-
suited in the discharge without honor OF
three companies OF negro soldiers OF the
rwenty-fifth infantry At the same time
a message was received from the president
calling attention to the fact that the tes-
timeny taken by the COMMITTEES sustains
his position in discharging the negro SOL
diers. He recommends extension OF the
time for re-enlistment sf the discharged
men who might be found not ia fall within
the terms OF the order.
There were four reports from the COM
mittee the majority being signed by Sena-
tors Warren. Lodge. Warner. Dupont.
Taliaferru. Foster. Overman. Frazer and
McCreary. A minority report was signed
by Senator'S Foraker. Scott. BuIkeIey and
Hemenway.
Text OF Mats-ity Report.
The majority report found as follows;
In the opinion of the committee the
shooting was dcne by some OF the soldiers
belonging to the Twenty-Gfth infantry:
that the testimony fails 20 Identify the
particular soldier or soldiers who partici-
is considerable contradiction In the testi-
mony, but that taken a whole and
reconciliIg II wherever possible IL proves
the case outlined in the mai0rity's de-
cision.
The principal minority report was pre-
sented by Senator Scott and takes the
position that it has been impossible to
ascertain who did the shooting and makes
the recommendation that the negro soldiers
be restored. In accordance with this mi
nority report. Senator's Foraker and Bulk
eiey Joined in a supplemental report, which
was presented by Senator Foraker.
Senator FOraker's Report.
Senator Fnrakers 5 report declares that the
testimony OF the eye witness against the
soldiers is not reliable and that no mo-
tive for their alleged connection with the
ARRAY had been shown. He summed up
the testimony taken by the senate com
mittee as follows:
That it wholly fails to identity the par
ticuIar individuals or any OF them who
participated in the shooting: that Il fails
to show that any Of the discharged soldiers
OF the Twenty-fifth Infantry had entered
into any agreement so-Called CON
spiracy of silence" or that they withheld
Information possessed by them for the
shooting: that the testimony Is coutradic-
tory and not sufficient to sustain the
charge that the soldiers we're connected
with the shooting and that the weight Of
the evidence shows that none OF the negro
soldiers participated in the affray
A supplemental report signed by Senator'S
Warren. Lodge. Warner and Dupont de-
clares that under the evidence II Is shown
5hat thu assault was perpetrated by menu
bers OF the battalion. but thar il ls rea-
sonabIe to believe that all OF the soldiers
were not concerned in the crime. either
as principals or accessories. They
recommend that it would be tustice to
store TO all OF the innocent men the rights
and privileges which had accrued to them
by reason OF tIieir previous service in the
army.
BfIE for Re-enIisTmemt.
A bill is presented authorizing the presi-
dent within one year after the passage OF
the act to authorizes the enlistment OF any
N the men whom he may be satisfied had
nc connection with the shooting. Senator
Foraker included IN his report a bill. pre-
viously introduced which provides for the
same general purpose. This bill. however,
would compel the War department to ac-
cept the enlistment OF any one OF the dis
charged negroes who makes oath that he
was not connected with the shooting.
The Brownsville afsray occurred on th.s
night OF August 13-I4. 1904 The War de-
partmenr conducted a huFried investigation
OF the shooting and as a result, President
Roosevelt ordered the discharge without
honor OF three companies OF negro soldiers
who were then stationed at Fort Brown.
Senator Foraker soon after congress con-
vened in December, 1906. raised a question
as to the presidents right to discharge
the men and an Investigation by the com
mittse en- military affairs was ordered.
The committee began taking testimony
February l. 1857 and concluded March 10.
1855
Message Of the President.
The following is the text OF the presi-
dents message:
To the senate: On December L. 1905. the
secretary Of war. by my direction, issued
the following order:
Applications 10 re-eniist from former
members Of cumpanies 3, ami ., Twenty
fifth infantry, who were discharged under
the provisions or special order No. III, War
department, November 3, 1885. must be
Eade in writing and be accompanied by
such evidence. also In writing. as the ap-
plicant may desire To submit 70 show that
he was neither implicated in the raid on
Brownsville, Tex, on the night OF August
Ia 1905. nor withheld any evidence that
might lead co the discovery OF the perpe-
traitors thereof
Proceedings were begun under this order:
but shortly thereafter an Investigation was
under the order we're stopped. The senate
committee entrusted with the work has
now completed the investigation and finds
that the facts upon which my order OF dis
charge OF November g. 1898. was based are
substanriured by the evidence The uasri-
mony secured By the COMMITTEES is. there
FORE now avaiiabie and J. desire 20 revive
the order OF December Il. 1906 and to have
IL carried out IN Whatever shape may be
necessary 10 achieve the purpose therein
set forth any additional evidence being
taken which may be OF aid IN the ascer-
tainment OF the truth The time limit dur
ing which il was possible 70 reinstats anv
i,,FfrrFr1oT .oIf1fa,.e h, gn.,-+gav,,, ,-f@F- -
terms OF this order has. however. expired
I therefore, recommended the uasgaaa ~ a
law extending this time limit so FAR as the
snffffera Concerned are afFacraf7 rrnrff 4 vau-
after the passags Of the laW, and permitting
the reinstatanleut By direction OF the rJrezf-
dent uf any man VINO IN his Judgment snail
appear % be not within the class whose fis-
charge was deemed necessary in order 70
maintain the dfsciulIffe and morale ~ tl,a
army. THEDDORE ROOSEVELT
The White House. March H.
All Reports To BE Printed
The reading OF the presidents message
and the several reports called for the un-
divided attention Of the senate. On both
sides Of the chamber there was a larEs
attendance and no senator left hts seat
during the exchange of words that tnalg
place concerning the reports.