The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-04
CHIEF SAYS HOUSE
misunderstood
Message to Lower Branch
on Secret Service.
BIG STICK FALLS ON FOUR
Champions Of Provision TO Limit Scope
Of Investigators Arc Raked Over
the Goals by RooseveIt-Federai
sIeuths Defended by Executive.

Washington. Roosevelt's big
stick crashed down upon the heads OF
Representatives Tawney OF Minnesota,
Smith of Iowa. Sherley of Kentucky, and
Fitzgerald OF New York, when the oxecu-
tive sent a special message 10 the house
Of representatives, berAting those solons
for being champions of the successful
move to place limitations upon the scope
of the secret service
The president also declared that the
Interpretation Of the house OF the secret
service clause in his last message was
Misunderstood, and had there been any
evidence which would point to the neces-
slty OF an investigation OF members,
such evidence would long ago have been
turned over to the proper authorities.
The message was In answer TO the res
olution transmitted from the house in
which the representatives asked for evil
dence upon which Mr.. Roosevelt based
his statements that the chief argument
IN favor OF the provision was that the
congressman did not themselves wish TO
be Investigated by secret service men,"
For the Ananlas Club.
The message in part
81 am wholly at a loss to understand
the concluding portion of the resolution.
have made no charges OF corruption
against congress nor against any member
OF the present house. IL / had proof OF
such corruption Affecting any member OF
the house In any matter as to which the
federal government has jurisdiction, ao-
tion would at once be brought, as was
done In the cases OF Senators Mitchell
and Burton, and Representatives VIII
Hanson, Herman and briggs at differ-
ept times since I have been president.
This would simply. be doing my duty In
the execution and enforcement OF the
laws without respect to persons. But /
do not regard IL as within the province
or the duties Of the president to report
TO the house alleged delinquencies' OF
members. or the supposed corrupt ac-
ton OF member In his official capac-
ity The membership OF the house is
by the constitution placed within the
power OF the house alone. In the prose-
cution Of criminals and the enforcement
OF the laws the president must resort 10
the courts OF the United states.
.'In the third and fourth clauses OF the
preamble II is stated that the meaning OF
my words IL that the majority OF the
congressman are In fear OF being inves-
tigated by secret service men and that
congress as whole was actuated by
that motive IN eDacting the provision In
question: and that this is an impeach-
ment OF the honor and Integrity OF the
congress. These statements are not,
think, In accordance with the facts"
Misunderstood, He Says.
''This allegation in the resolution. there
fore must certainly be due 10 an entire
failure TO understand my message.
''rhe resolution continues; That the
president be requested to transmit to the
house any evidence upon which he based
his statements that the "chief argument
ia favor OF the provision was that the
congressman did not themselves wish TO
be Investigated by secret seryico men"
This siatsnepte- which was an attack