Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-01-05
CITES GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED
Senators Burton and Mitchell and
Three Representatives in Congress
Indicted Through Efforts Of Detec-
tives-Executive Believes His Lam
auaae Was Msconstrued.
(By Associated PreSs.)

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Jan. 4.-Un-
usual attention was paid in the House
Of Representatives today to the read
ing Of a message frCm the President
replying to a resolution Of that body
calling upon him for an explanation
OF the intimation in his annual mes
sage that members of Congress were
afraid to be investigated by the Sc
cret service.
The galleries were packed to the
doors.
The Presidents specific references
to certain speeches by Messrs Taw-
ney. Minnesota: Smith. Iowa; Sher-
ley. Kentucky and Fitzgerald. North
Carolina, when the provision for the
restriction OF the operations Of the Sc
cret service was up for discussion and
also to Mr. Busby. the speakers priv
ate secretary, created a storm CT
laughter.
The speaker several times vigor-
ously raped for order.
eusby Makes Statement.
In commenting on the Presidents
reference to him in the message Mr.
Busby said:
Il am an employe Of the House OF
Represe ntatives 1t would not be ap-
propriate for me in any way to make
any comment on the matter now te-
fore the House. I will say. however.
that the article quoted from the Chi
cago Inter-Ocean in the Presidents
message was prepared In the regular
course Of work as newspaper cor
respondent and doubt II dozen
members Of Congress ever saw the
article or heard of it until today"
As the reading Of the message pro-
ceeded many OF the members chuck
led. others laughed outright. while
some we're prone 10 joke with their
neighbors
When the reading had been con-
cluded Mr. Perkins. New York. chair
man Of the special committee which
originally considered the matter.
moved that the message be referred
to that committee.
Georgian 10 DB9runtled.
rs an amendment in order 10 that
notion inquired Mr.. Griggs (Ga-)
in q delibe rate voice.
1T is" replied the speaker.
Then" said Mr. Griggs. Il move
that this message be returned to the
President
"Oh. no. oh. no. shouted several OF
Mr.. Griggs' Democratic colleagues.
Mr.. Perkins insisted that the mes
sage should 20 to the special COM
mittee and in the meantlme Mr..
Griggs withdrew his motion. saying
he took that action at the request OF
his party leaders.
The message was referred.
The resolution Of the House. which
is introduced by quite lengthy pre-
amble. reads:
BE 1t resolved. That the Presi-
dent be requested to transmit to the
House any evidence upon which he
based his statements that the CHIEF
argument in favor Of the provision
was that the congressman did not
themselves wish to ne investigated BY
secret service men, and also TO trans
NIT to the House any evidence con-
Meeting any member Of the House OF
Representatives Of the Sixtieth con-
gross with corrupt action in his ON
ciaI capacity, and TO inform the House
whether he has instituted proceed
ings for the punishment; Of any such
individual BY the courts or has re-
ported any such alleged deiinduen-
cies TO the House Of Representatives.
After citing the preamble and reso-
luton in full the President says:
Concluding Portion Puzz'ing-
Il am wholly at loss TO under
stand the concluding portion OF the
resolution have made no charges
Of corruption against Congress nor
asains. any member Of the present
House. n I had proof Of such cor
ruption affecting any member Of the
House in any matter As 10 which the
Federal government has Jurisdiction
action would at once be brought. a.
vas done in the cases % Senators
Mitchell and Burton and Representa'
tives Williamson. Hermann and
Drisgs. At different times since
have been President. This would
simply Be doing my duty In the exc
cuiion and enforcement OF the laws
without respect to persons. But ]