The Washington herald., 1909-01-09

TO the criminal classes. and II deliberate
" introduced for the purpose OF dimin-
ishins the effectiveness OF war against
crime It could not have been better de-
vised to that end. there is clearly i'm
Piled. II the English language means
anything, that in adopting this revision
the Congress Of the United States in
tended 20 benefit and protect from detec-
ton and punishment those guilty Of com
mitting fraud and other violations Of ths
public law
Cannot Change Meaning.
NO disclaimer now. however strenu-
Gus and vehement. can modify or change
either the meaning Of the language used
by the President or its Interpretation by
the people and by the press Of this eoun-
Try, under which Interpretation the honor
and integrity OF Congress has been as
sailed and stands impeached.
1T is because OF the Interpretation OF
the language used and Its effect upon
their confidence In this branch of the
government that I deem it important to
treat the charge as L has been accepted
and IS understood By the people gener-
ally
The people as a whole cannot con-
cluds from this language otherwise than
that IN adopting the provision OF law
criticised. Congress did so knowing that
II would be 'of benefit only, and could
be Of beneft only, 20 criminal classes. .
and that II would prevent, or at least
hamper, effective action against criminals
By the executive branch Of the govern
ment' This Interpretation should not 20
unchallenged- The people should know
the facts.
To emphasize the plain meaning Of the
language employed in describing the ef-
feet OF the legislation criticised. It IS also
charged In the message Of the President
that the motive for proposing this Iegis-
lati0n or that the chief argument IN
favor Of the provision was that the Con-
gressmen did not themselves wish 20 be
Investigated by Secret Service men
Violates Privileges.
Whether IL was intended 20 charge
this as a motive for the enactment OF the
law or not. neither the press nor the
people nor any individual citizen can dis
sociate that which is said 10 be the
chief argument in favor Of a proposition
and the motive that prompts him who
makes H. To thus impUgn the motives
tfoT It has been accepted az such, whether
so intended or not Of the members Of
the legislative branch Of our government
violates not only the constitutional privl-
leges OF Congress. but is calculated to
arouse popular prejudice against all
branches OF our government, which Is far
more injurious.
zrhaN - e.rI -
by the executive branch OF the govern
ment and Of iJs effect upon the public
mind, when IL is proven, as It can and
viii be. that this impeachment Of the
honor and integrity OF the Congress OF
the United States is made without any
foundation IN fact? When proven IN
founded, however, il IS unfortunate that
there viii still linser in the minds Of
many. as the result OF this charge. the
suspicion that there does not exist among
those intrUsted with the duties and re-
spOnsibilities OF government that degree
Of faithfulness 70 duty and unselfsh pa
triotism which the people of right ex-
pect Of their representatives in al
branches Of the public service"
Defends Own Action.
Mr.. Tawney then gave a detailed state
AAASA~ u L-AC hDaA III TIE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on the Secret Service. and
said:
I wish 20 call attention to two state
ments Of a personal character in the mes
sage of the President in answer to the
resolution OF the House as presented to
the House Of Representatives January 4.
1893 In that message the President uses
this language:
Mr. Tawney in the debate stated that
he had in his possession "a letter from
the Secretary Of the Treasury, received a
few days ago." in which the Secretary Of
the Treasury himself admits that the
provisions under which the appropriation
has been made have been violated year
after year for a number OF years In his
own department" ."
And then 10 prove that my statement
thus quoted from my remarks upon the
floor Of the House during the considera-
ton OF this provision is not true, he ap-
pends TO his message the letter of the
Secretary Of the Treasury 70 which he