The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-01-04
"Only Criminals Need
Fear Secret Service
He RetOrtS.
SCATHING ANSWER Is
MADE IN MESSAGE
Points to Previous Convictions
of National Legislators
for Crimes.
Big MEN INVOLVED =
IN LAND FRAUDS
Even Officials of Interior De-
partment Not to Be Trusted,
Executive Says.


WASHINGTON. Jan. z-DecIarinE
veiiiance by the secret service. Pre.f-
dent Roosevelt today sent TO Congress
a scafiiing retort to the demand frnns~
that body that he explain the referenoc
in his annual message to the effect Il
the Legislators themselves feared
Investigation made by the national
tectiye force.
In his special message the chic
utive denies that he has made
Of graft against any congressms
fntimates strongly that in view
criminal acts fixed ON members
be good idea to give the seer
ice power to .'unearfh crime
and whenever IL is found.v
The message, in part, reads:
Il have made no charges of
ton against Congress nor again
member of the present House.
proof of such corruption affect
member of the House in any
TO which the Federal govern
jurisdiction. action would at dnSe be
brought, as was done in the cases of
Senators Mitchell and Burton and Rep
resentatives Williamson, Herman and
briggs at different times since / have
been President. But l do not regard
it as within the province or the duties.
of the President to report to the House
alleged delinquincies' of members, or
the supposed corrupt action of a
member in his official capacity. The
membership of the House is by the
Constitution placed within the power
of the House alone
- careful reading of my message
will show that l said nothing to war
rant the statement that the majority
of the congressman were in fear of be-
ing investigated by the secret service
men, or that Congress as a whole
was actuated by that motive | did
not make any such statement in this
message Moreover, 1 have never male
any such statement about Congress as
whole, nor, with a few inevitable ex-
ceptions, about the members OF Con-
gress, in any message or article or
speech
ON /, contrary, l have always not
only deprecated but vigorously resented
the practise of indiscriminate attack
upon Congress, and indiscrininate con-
demnation of all congressman, wise ana
unwise, fit and unfit, good and bad,
alike. No one realizes more than | the
importance OF cooperation between tile
executive and congress-. and no one
holds the authority and dignity of tho
Congress of the United States in higher
respect than 1 do 1 have not the
slightest sympathy with the practise
of judging men, for good or for i'll.
not on their several merits. but in
mass, as members of one particular
body or one caste.
ITO put together all men holding or
who have held a particular Office,
whether it be the office of President.
or judge, or senator, OF member of tbs
House of Representatives and TO class
them all, without regard to their i'm
dividual differences, as good or bad.
seems to me utterly indefensible; and
it is equally indefensible whether the
good are confounded with the bad in
a heated and funwarranted Champion
ship of all. or in a heated and unwar-
ranted assault upon all. | would neither
attack nor defend all executive officers
in a mass. whether presidents, COVER
nors. cabinet officers or officials Of lower
rank; nor would l attack or defend all
legislative officers in a mass
Message MisunderStood.
"This allegation in the resolutions.
therefore, must certainly be due TO aii
entire failure to understand nay mss
sage.
"The resolution continues; That the
President be requested 50 fransnait to
the House any evidence upon which he
based his statements that the ..cbicf
argument in favor of the proyistor was
that the congressman did net them
selves wish to be investigated by secret
service men,, This statement. which
was an attack upon no oBe, sliii less
upon the Congress. Is sustained By the
facts.
If you will turn to the Congressional
Record for May / last you will lind the
debate on this subject Mr. Tawney,
of Minnesota; Mr.. Smith. of Iowa. Mr..
Sneriey. OF Kentucky. and Mr f'itS
gerald, of New York. appear in tilis
debate as the special champions OF tile
provision referred to.
"Messrs. Parsons, Bennet and prisrnil
e. the leaders of those who opposed
the adoption of the amendment and
upheld the right of the government TO
use the most efficient means possihla