Richmond planet., 1908-05-02

over Whlch the raiders passed
In addition, some testimony was
submitted OF experts and ordnance Of
hcers supporting the conclusion that
had been arrived at that soldiers Of
the Twenty-ifth United States Infan-
try had done the firing.
This testimony was reviewed and
submitted TO the President by the
Secretary OF War as conclusively es-
tablishing the guilt OF the men
The President transmitted this tes-
tlmony to the Senate, together with
the report to iim Of the Secretary Of
war and announced in his message
OF transmittal that. in his opinion. the
testimony showed beyond a reasona-
Die doubt the guilt OF the men.
When. therefore. the Senate or-
dered the investigation. Il was to
give the men an opportunity TO meet
the case that had so been made a
gainst them For that reason tbev
were called first, and after they had
testified in such numbers that every
member OF the committee was salts
ned that 20 call additional witnesses
from the soldiers was unnecessary I'm
order 20 get all information that
could be secured from that source.
the taking OF further testimony bv
the soldiers was suspended.
A MOST UNUSUAL SITUATION.
Thereupon, I'm order to again con-
Wet the men OF the crime with which
they had been charged, the same wit
nesses who had twice before testified
were recalled and examined and cross
examined al great length before the
committee together with other ad-
ditional witnesses. After this testi-
mony had been taken number OF Of
ncers OF the battalion and some OF
the men were recalled In rebuttal.
SO IL Is that in a most important
case, involving In it's various phases
he charge OF raiding. and the shoot
ing up or the town. the commission
or murder, assaults with intent TO
kill. perjury. and conspiracy to with
hold testimony TO screen the guilty
OF crimes amounting to felonies. pun
ished with imprisonment IN the pen-
itentiary, we have the unprecedented
spectacle Of the men charged being
required 20 appear and prove their
innocence, and then 10 be again. FOR
third time. subjected TO the accus-
ative testimony upon which the
whole case against them does and
must OF necessity rest.
While II may be said that this does
not alter the truth, yet IL remains
that II is a violation OF the practice
that has been observed since the be-
ginning OF the common law for the
protection Of those who were charg-
ed with crime. and a practice that
has for the accused in all cases where
crime Is charged only that reasona-
bic advantage OF fully advising the
accused before he enters upon his
defense OF what Il Is that he is ac-
cused and with what testimony in all
It's details il is sought 10 establish
such accusation.
THE COLORED SOLDIERS TESTI-
MONY.
] do not mention this TO complain
about 1t, for the record will disclose
10 any unbiased man who may study
IL that. Notwithstanding this disad-
vantage, and notwithstanding the
many other disadvantages TO which
these men were subjected, they have
given their evidence with such straigt
forward frankness and with such
manifest truthhfulness that. In nv
opinion, nothing remains TO show
only the discovery OF the real cul-
prits, which time will surely make
unless the adage that murder will
out" has ceased 10 be truth.
1t is necessary to an Intelligent
discussion OF the testimony TO make
a brief explanatory statement as to
the general situation at Brownsville
on the night OF the affray.
The Govern manf rpcarvoffcn lrpov-,,
as Fort Brown" is situated on the
bank OF the Rio Grande River i'm
mediately opposite Matamoros, Mex
leo, and within the limits OF the town
OF Brownsville, the principal streets
and parts OF which are Immediately
north Of the reservation,
The reservation is bounded on the
northern side by a brick wall some
4 or feet in height at the point
where the principal part OF the shoot
ing ARRAY is alleged to have com
menced
A WORD ABOUT THE GARRISON.
The garrison consisted Of three
companies-B. c, and D OF the Twen
ty-fifth United States Infantry, col
ored.
These were quartered in barracks
that stood in a line 100 feet south OF
the reservation wall, so that the rear
or the barracks looked out north
wardly toward the town.
The main gate or entrance to the
reservation opened out into Eliza
beth Street, which was the princi-
pal street OF Brownsville.
These companies occupied sepa-
rate barracks. ID Company barracks
STOOD 10 the left OF the road leadong
out to the reservation through the
main entrance into Elizabeth Street:
B Company barracks stood Immediate
ly TO the right OF this road, and G
Company barracks stood next on the
right OF b Barracks.
The barracks fronted on a parade
ground, on the opposite side OF which
were the quarters of the officers.
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