The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-01-04
HOUSE DEBk%;'s :.
HIS |NFORMATIUISi' in
Cites Cases Where Work of
Secret Service Men Unearth-
ed Congressional Graft

ed congressional TRAIT
Washington, Jan. 4.-The president
today sent to the house of representa-
the resolution Of that branch of con-
gress asking for detailed information
in reference i'll the presidents an
nual message relating to the refusal
Of congress to properly provide for
the maintenance of the government
secret service. The message is one
OF the strongest sledge hammer
blows ever deferred by the president.
He cites the debates III the house as
reported in the Congressional Record
to prove that congressman and not
the president. were responsible to the
rejection on It's members. The mes
sage follows:
Tie Message.
TO the House of Representatives.:
Il have received the resolution of the
House Of Representatives of Decem-
Der II, 1908. running as follows:
Whereas there was contained in
the sundry civil appropriation bill
which passed congress at it's last ses-
sion and became law, a provision
In reference to the employment of the
secret cervice in the treasury depart
ment; and
Whereas in the last annual mes
sage of the President of the United
States to the two houses of congress
1t was stated In reference to that pro-
vision: 1T Is not too much to say
that this amendment has been of ben
eat only, and could be of benefit only,
to the criminal classes" and it was
further stated. "The chief argument
In favor of the provision was that the
congressman did not themselves wish
to be investigate by the secret SER
vice men," and it was further stated:
But II this is not considered desir-
able special exception could be made
In the law, prohibiting the use of the
secret service force in investigating
members of congress. It would be
far better to do this than to do what
acually was done, and strive to pre-
vent or at least to hamper effective
action against criminals by the exc
cutive branch of the government; and
Whereas the plain meaning of the
above words is that the majority of
the congressman we're in fear of be-
ing investigated by secret service men
and that congress as a whole was
actuated by that motive in enacting
the provision in question; and
Whereas your committee appointed
to consider these statements of the
president and to report to the house
can not find in the hearing before
committees nor in the records of the
house or senate, any justification of
this impeachment of the honor and
integrity Of the congress; and
Whereas your committee would
prefer in order to make an intelligent
and comprehensive report, just to the
president as well as to the congress,
to have all the information which the
president may have to communicate:
Now, therefore,
BE it resolved, that the president
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 be investigated by the secret SER
vice men, and also transmit to the
house any evidence connecting any
member of the house of representa-
! ttves OF the sixtieth congress with
corrupt action In his official capacity,
and to inform the house whether he
has instituted proceedings for the
punishr,et of any such individual! by
the courts or has reported any such
alleged delinauencies to the house of
! representatives"
The Reply.
; am wholly at loss to understand
tho concluding portion of the resolu-
ton. nave made no charges of COR
ruption against congress nor against
any member Of the present house.
II j had proof of such corruption af-
fectins any member of the house in
any matter as to which the federal
government has jurisdiction, action
would at once be brought, as was done
In the cases of Senators Mitchell and
Burton, and Representatives William
son. Hermann, and briggs, at differ
ent times since 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 1t as within the
province or the duties of the presi-
dent to report to the house alleged
delinquencies" of members, or the
supposed Corrupt action" of men,
ber "in his official capacity" The
membership of the house is by the
constitution placed within the power
Of the house alone. In the prosecu-
tion of criminals and the enforce
ment of the laws the president must
resort to the courts of the United
States
In the third and fourth clauses of
the preamble 1t Is stated that the
meaning of my words is that "the
majority of the congressman are in
fear Of being investigated by the Sc
"ret service men" and that congress