The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-12-23
WEDNESDAY, DEC. %, 1903.
ROOSEVELT AND CONGRESS.

The politicians who INDUCED the
hope that the last few weeks of Mr..
R%oosevelt's term as president would
be q period of rest and relief from the
strenuosity Of the past four years,
have received another jolt. The finish
Of the Roosevelt presidential term
promises to witness a conflict between
the national executive and the legisla-
tive branch Of the government which
will exceed in interest any former diff
ferences that may have developed.
The trouble originated from that
part of the presidents message which
refers to the government secret serv.
ice, and in which it is bluntly init.
mated that a proper and effective in.
vestigation of wrong doing Of which
members Of congress are suspected,
has been prevented by legislation
enacted at the last session of con.
gress. The president, In very plain
language, states that the government
secret service is maintained for the
purpose Of detecting and securing the
punishment ofCcriminals, and any
member of congress who belongs to
that class of citizens should not be
exempt from investig alton. 1t was
suggested, however, in somewhat sar.
castle vein, that If the congressman
do not agree with the president in this
view of the matter, they have the
power to incorporate in the law q
provision thatswill positively prohibit
the secret service from investigating
cases of lawlessness with which any
OF them may haveibeen connected.
This publicOintimation that members
of congress- may have been engaged in
shady transactions that entitle them
to q place inI the criminal class, has
caused q commotion in political cir
cles. Duringtlthe past week it has
been the chief subject of discussion in
congress, and q resolution has been
adopted iniwhichsthe president is in
directly rebuked for making such an
attack upon .the dignity and good
name Of our law makers, and the re.
quest made that he produce proof that
will justifyithe course he has taken.
In much5 of the. criticism that has
been directed ag ainst the president in
this matter, it is alleged that his
charges against q coordinate branch
of the government are undignitied and
calculated to destroy public confidence
.2n the integrity of members of con-
gress. The mainspoint in the allega
lions, however, ia the stu ation thai
called for such remarks from the
president. Is it, or is it not, true tina,
members of congress have prevented
investig alton of their own public or
priv atelrecordIby the government sec.
ret service:
The language used by the president
in his remarks, and the way in which
accusation was made,i may no have
been diplomatic or SO polite as con
gressmen:may desire, but that makes
no difference as to the point 1T issue
Mr.. Roosevelt is in the habit Of usinf
plaiu words. and calling Ia spade, 1
spade. He ia a trough rider" class
of citizen, and 10 accustomed to using
words that will plainly indicate tn
intent of his remarks-a method o
discussion that ia popular among ,
majority of American citizens.
AS to whether the president is il
possession of evidence thatlw arrantet
his arrangement of members iof con
gress, that is a matter which aw ait
demonstration, and the public will b.
interested in future developments.