The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-09

future Legislation, and to report WhsthSA Congress with proper self-respect can re- ceive them. It is said in the message
 that the chief argument in favor of the
 provision was that the congressman did not themselves wish to be Investigated by secret service men, and this is repeated ih the additional message. If this was the chief argument, it must have been by this argument that the majority of mem bers were led to vote in favor of the offending provision. Your committee IS unable to share Tn this belief. In the ar guments of the House, the gentleman from Kentucky, speaking in favor of the amendment, asked if it was intended that if a member of Congress was guilty or unbecoming conduct the department would be warranted in Investigating his conduct by secret service men. And the gentleman from New York, opposing the amendment, stated that we all know, as lawyers, that we were not federal or ficers; that we were competent members of the government, and there was no one over us. Then the gentleman from Ken lucky said, notwithstanding the views Of the gentleman from New York, that the private conduct of a member of Congress had once been investigated by secret ser vice men, but the gentleman from New York denied even this one and solitary in- stance, and stated the investigation in the case cited had not been made by mem- Der of the secret service, but by a police officer of Washington
 Fear of Secret Service.
 We do not think that even the most timorous of congressman could have been induced by these arguments to vote in favor of the amendment from fear that if he voted no the secret service might fer ret out his secret sides.
 Nor does it seem that statements made in 1904, even by a newspaper reporter, are convincing evidence of the motive which actuated congressman in their votes in 1908 The statements made in newspa- pers are sometimes questioned, even at the White House.
 "The statement contained in the mes- sage that the chief argument in favor Of the provision was that the congressman did not wish to be investigated, can have but one meaning.
 Tt means that Congress voted for the measure from an improper motive. Any congressman whose vote can be deter mined by unwillingness to have his own conduct investigated by secret service men, or by any other men, must surely be in fear of the law. If it was believed that majority of this body were in fear that their acts might be investigated, and their crimes discovered, the respect or the people which it is important for the republic that Congress should possess, would be impaired if not destroyed.
 Dangerous Practices.
 Tt is dangerous to the republic that a large portion of our people should have their confidence shaken in the judges who the law; it is equally dangerous that their confidence should be impaired in those who enact the laws, and 1t is for this reason that the duty evolves upon the lawmakers not to allow the integrity of their motives to be lightly questioned. We may be sure that no legislative body will be respected by the people unless 1t itself.
 Doubtless in the Congress are some times found unfit and dishonest men, but I believe that with few exceptions, the body is composed of men of integrity, whose vote is determined not by fear of the police, but by an honest regard for the public service. If the time should ever come when a majority of the chosen rep of the American people were so unfit for their trust that their votes were controlled by a craven fear of the detection of their crimes, then surely the republic will have come upon evil days, and the failure of popular government win have been demonstrated.
 Laws Not Failure.
 "The people of this country have sent their representatives to the Congress. Many of them have for long years been reelected at the polls or by legislatures. We do not believe that popular govern ment and universal suffrage are such la failures that dishonest coward ly or unfit men are chosen to continue in office. In this matter we stand not only for ourselves, but for those who sent us here. The impeachment of those who are chosen is the impeachment or those who choose.
 "The President says that no one holds the dignity of the Congress of the United States in higher regard than he does. It would, therefore, be a thing to be de- plored if, as a result of any unfortunate of language, any untoward of words, expressions should remain in his message which might be interpreted by the people as lessening the dignity and thereby weakening the au- thority of the Congress.
 ''It Is said in the message that criminals should be prosecuted if found in the legis- lative branch of the government and with this we wholly agree. But the President adds if this is not considered desirable & special examination could be made in the law prohibiting the use of secret ser vice officers in Investigating members of Congress- In other words, it is suggested that we pass a law which will facilitate the exposure of other criminals but still protect ourselves. If a majority of the Congress stand in favor of the exposure of their own msdeeds, they would be ready to vote on such a law, but such is not the case, and against 1t we must protest If Congress listens tamely and ,imidly to reflections upon tie character of its members and its honesty of pur- pose, it will deserve and it will certainly receive the contempt of the public. We feel that the suggestions in the Presidents message the Congress should refuse to ineel<ly receive, and mildly to consider.
 Result of Struggle.
 .sThe Congress of the United States to- day exists as a result of centuries of struggle for popular government. Let ev- cry man who is a member of it, vote on this question in the manner which seems to him most worthy of the traditions of which we are the heirs, of the institutions of which we are the protectors. and of the people of whom we are representa- tives.''
 As was the case when he first spoke on the question before the holidays, MT Perkins was frequently interrupted by applause. Upon the conclusion or his remarks he submitted the commit tee report, which, after quoting from the Presidents message, was as fol- lows:
 Understanding this language to be a reflection on the integrity of the ", a,, harship and aware of it's own con-