The Washington herald., 1909-01-09
Mr.. PERKINS REPORTS
FOR THE COMMITTEE

In stating the communications OF the
committee. Representative Perkins said:
TO your committee were referred Ger
tain passages contained in the annual
message OF the President. We were TO
decide whether. in our opinion, those
portions OF. the message were couched in
such form that a proper regard for the
dignity OF a great legislative body should
forbid their reception. We are OF the
opinion that the portions Of the message
do constitute a breach Of the privileges
Of this House. and that. therefore. fol-
lowing the precedent set in similar cases,
the House should decline 10 consider
them
'Wlth the merits OF the question with
reference 10 the use Of the Secret Service
men. this committee has nothing 70 do
We fully recognize the right OF the Presi-
dent to express his disapproval OF legis-
lation adopted by the Congress, to point
out its defects and 10 ask that they
be remedied- The question will doubt
less be considered by Congress and such
action taken as may seem to be IN the
public interest
Duties of Committee.
But your committee has to consider
the criticisms made by the President upon
the motives Of Congress in its action last
session, to consider his suggestions as 70
future legislation and 10 report whether
Congress with proper self-respect can re-
ceive them.
''It Is stated in the message that the
chief argument in favor Of the provision
was that the CongressTnen did not them
selves wish TO be investigated by Secret
Service men, and this is repeated IN the
additional message. II this was the chief
argument, it must have been by this
argument that the majority OF members
were led 70 vote IN favor Of the offend
ing provision. Your committee Is unable
TO share in this belief
IN the arguments OF the House the
gentleman from Kentucky. speaking IN
favor Of the amendment. asked II il was
intended that II a member Of Congress
was guilty OF unbeccming conduct the
department would be warranted in inves-
tigating his conduct by Secret Service
men And the gentleman from New
York, opposing the amendment, stated
that we all knew. as lawyers. that We
were not Federal officers; that We were
component members Of the government,
and there Vas no one over US Then the
gentleman from Kentucky said. uotwith-
standing the views Of the gentleman from
New York. the private conduct OF n men,
Der OF Congress had once been investi-
gated by Secret Service men, but the gen
tIeman from New York denied even this
one and solitary instance, and stated the
investigation in the case cited had not
been made by q member Of the Secret
Service, but by a police officer OF Wash
ingtOn.
we do not think that even the most
timorOus Of CongreSsmen could have been
induced BY these arguments 10 vote in
favor Of the amendment from fear that
II he voted No the Secret Service
might ferret out his secret sins.
Nor does Z seem that statements
made IN 1e9l. even by a newspaper re-
porter. are convincing evidence Of the
motive which actuated Congressman in
their votes in 1905. The statements made
IL newspapers are sometimes questioned
even al the White House.
Have but One Meaning.
The statement contained IN the mes
sage that the chief argument IN favor
OF the provision was that the Congress
men did not themselves wish 70 be IN
vestigated' can have but one meaning.
It means that Congress voted for the
measure from an improper motive. Any
Congressman whose vote can be de-
termined by uawillingneSs 70 have his
own conduct Investigated by Secret Serv-
ice men. or by any other men, must
surely be in fear Of the law
IF It was believed that a majority OF
this body were in fear that their acts
might be investigated and their crimes
discovered, the respect Of the people,
which IL IS important for the republic
that Congress should possess. would be
impaired. II not destroyed.
1t IS dangerous 10 the republic that
a large portion Of our people should
have their confidence shaken in the
judges who interpret the law; It is equally
dangerous that their confidence should
be impaired in those who enact the laws
and IL is for this reason that the duty
GevOlVes upon the lawmakers not 70
allow the integrity Of their motives to
be lightly Questioned We may be sure
that no legislative body viii be respected
by the people unless il respects itself.
We are jealous Of the honor Of the na-
ton; We should be equally jealous Of the
honor Of our institutions
Doubtless in the Congress are some
times found unit 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
''The President says that no one holds
the dignity Of the Congress OF the United
States in higher regard than he does. II
would therefore be a thing 10 be depIored
if, as a result OF any unfortunate fna5-
vertence Of language, any untoward com
binatiOn OF words, expressions. should re-
main IN his message which might be
Interpreted by the people as lessening the
dignity. and thereby weakening the au-
thoTity. Of the Congress
should Prosecute Criminals.
TT is said in the message that criminals
should be prosecuted n 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 a special exception could be
made in the law prohibiting the use Of
Secret Service officers in investigating
members OF Congress-
During long centuries OUT English