Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-03-02
PASS SOLDIER BILL
House Grants Blacks Chance
to Prove Innocence.
BAN ON STATEHOOD LAW
Sensational Session Of Committee
Ends in Declaration That There
Will Be No Legislation at This SEES
sion of CONGRESS,

Washington, Mar. 1.-Congress has
granted the discharged negro soldiers
Of the Twenty-fifth infantry, said to
have been involved in the shooting
up" of Brownsville, Tex, the right to
prove their innocence and thus make
them eligible for restoration to the
army. The final seal of approval of
congress was placed upon the meas
ure Saturday by the house when the
senate Brownsville bill was passed un-
der special rule.
Only the presidents signature Is
needed to-day to. make it law.
One hour and half was allotted for
the debate and in that time many
speeches were made. Among those
who spoke in opposition was Mr.. Stay
den of Texas, who declared that con-
gress was seeking by this bill to set
aside the most righteous act of the
Roosevelt administration.
"How About the Japs?"
During the debate there was much
confusion, especially marked when Mr..
Cochran of New York, in supporting
the bill, pleaded for exact justice to
all.
How about the Japanese?" shouted
Mr.. Gaines of Tennessee.
THE gentleman's interruption" re-
piled Mr.. Cochran, amid roar OF
laughter, SIS always picturesque. but
not always sensible"
But they will all be taken back in
the army. Mark my prediction" re
marked Mr.. BurlesOn of Texas, with
some heat.
Prophecy Not Law, He says.
Turning toward the Texas member
Mr.. Cochran sharply retorted thai
"the gentleman may be as good {
prophet as Samuel of old, but this i:
not a place where prophecy can b.
made the basis of legislation"
Far back in the chamber Mr.. Stay
den was shouting at the top of hi
voice in an appeal to Mr.. Cochran tt
yield for a question, the speaker al
the while vigorously pounding hi
gavel Finally Mr.. Slayden was hear,
to inquire upon what Mr.. Cockral
based his conclusion that any of tn
discharged men were innocent. TIL
New York member insisted that prob
ably some of the men were innocent
Statehood Legislation.
There will be no statehood legisls
ton for New Mexico and Arizona a
the present session of congress. At
meeting of the committee on terri
tories Saturday all members, regard
less of party, in a sensational seen
abandoned consideration of the hous
bill
The members of the committee lei
the room without any one suggestin
further meetings for its considers
ton. This remarkable action occurre
) at the conclusion of the reading G
statements presented by Senators Ne
son and Beveridge, charging corruI
ton. jury bribing and various othe
offenses against certain officials an
leaders of what was termed the gan
, which is in control of political affair
In New Mexico"
Agree to Partial Navy Report.
! The senate Saturday agreed to
partial report of the conferees on tn
naval appropriation bill. The amen'
ment authorizing the president to d
vide the navy SO as to keep one ha
on the Pacific coast is still in disput
and the senate instructed its col
ferees to insist upon its retention.
All senate amendments to the a.
ricultural appropriation bill were di
) agreed to by the house and the hi
sent to conference. Messrs. Scott {
Kansas, Haugen of Iowa and Lamb
: Virginia were appointed house CO..
| ferees.
( General Deficiency Bill Out.
Within three hours after it had bee
reported the house, under suspe
sion of the rules, passed the gener
deficiency appropriation bill.
. The general deficiency bill carryi1
appropriations approximating 81
100000 was reported to the house So
t urday by the committee on appropri
tions. Five million dollars for tt
Panama canal is the largest ite1
The item of executing the president
order transferring the marines fro
the ships to shore duties is estimat,
, at 1907 $40. for which a deficiency a
preparation is asked in case the ord
10 fn ha INT