The morning journal-courier., 1908-12-16
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THE BROWNSVILLE AFFAIR.

When if had generally been assumed that the Brownsville affair had be- come a matter of history of over two years standing and the public atten- ton was being absorbed with the present and prospective domg of con gross, thy whole question pous up liyolier than cycr It Is evident that President Roosevelt has not felt conn fortablo over the. criticisms concern ing his action in dlscharging an entire battalion of tho twenty infantry of colored soldiers for the criminal shooting up of Brownsville Texas, August 13 and 1i, 1906 by some mem bcrs of one CT moro companies The president ever since that unfortunate occurrence has had reserve energy 10 devote to a quiet investigation of the whole matter, notwithstanding his strenuous activity in the recent politi- cal campaign II is naturally the de- sire of the president to justify his acc tlon in the Brownsville matter and to make reparation in some measure to the innocent members of the battalion, before he retres to private life.
 10 hasten the settlement of the Brownsville trouble the president has employed detectives to make a secret investigation and to obtain confessions from members of the eol- ored regiment who may be induced to say what they know, In a special message to the senate on Monday Che president says concerning report from the secretary of war, which ac- companies the message This report l enables us to fix with tolerablo de6u- | iteness al least some of the criminals l who took the lead fin the murderous shooting of private citizens at Browns vlllc." The president also recom- mends the reinstatement within a year of those soldiers who are found by examination to be innocent and have also done all in their power to bring the guilty to justice.
 But the "tocrablc deGnitoness" of the presidents new evidence depends on the alleged confession of Boyd Conyer, formerly of Company P, 25th infantry, who divulged to a dectectivc named Lawson that he with a few others were leaders in the Browns vile raid" The report further states, There are certain discrepancies of a minor character, due to the fact that Lawson Is illiterate, and had to depend on his memory for dctails' The whole report is voluminous and goes fully into the story of the raid as re- garded from the point of view of the new evidence supplied by Conyers through Lawson.
 Without doubt some settlement will be made of the trouble satisfactory tC those who feel aggreved and in justice to those who are guilty. But an un. desirable feature of this revived Brownsville matter is in the stirring of the old friction between Senator Foraier and the president. The latter appears as the champion of the color. ed soldiers. The message of the presi. dent created a genuine sensation wher it reached the senate and as was eX. pected Senator Foraker rushed to tho defense of the soldiers, denouncing tho course of the president in employing detectives and making "secret" in, vestigation, when the subject is in tn, care of the senate which has mot ye gone to the bottom of It." At any ratc Brownsville has been made the rcRu lar order for to-day, when it is cx pectcd q sharp debate will take place
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