Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-12
FLAYS ROOSEVELT
IN CAUSTIC REPLY
SPECIAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED
TO DEAL WITH PRESIDENTS
SECRET SERVICE MESSAGE
ASKS THAT HE BE IGNORED.


consideration to the presidents further
views regarding the secret service con-
tanned in his message to the house of rep
resentatives last Monday, the special
committee appointed to deal with the sub
pect today brought In its final report.
| Accompanying it was a resolution which
declared Il to be the sense OF the mouse
that It shall decline to consider any
communication from any source which Is
not respectful, recommending that the
objectional portion Of the presidents
annual message be laid on the table,
that similar action De taken with respect
to the message OF last Monday because
of its being unresponsive to the IN
quiry of the house as to what the pres
ident meant when he said, referring 10
the Limitation placed upon the field OF
operations of the secret service that the
''chief argument in favor OF the pro-
vision was that the congressman did
not themselves wish to be investigated.
When Chairman Perkins, of New York,
of the special committee, arose to make
his report, he faced an almost full menu
bership, while the galleries were packed
with interested spectators. Messrs. Taw-
ney. Smith, of Iowa; Sherley and titz-
gerald were on the floor prepared py
word OF mouth TO resent what they deeni-
ed 10 be the insinuations of the presi-
dent upon them as members Of the COM
mittees on appropriations. They were
not alone in their Indignation. Indeed
for some time past the feelings OF the
members had been growing more and
more intense, and some of them have
been giving way to their sentiments In
language which fully testified to their
/ wounded pride.
Report of Committee
Mr.. Perkins addressed the house as
follows:
''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 great legislative body
should forbid their reception. We are
OF the opinion that the portions of the
message do constitute breach of the
privileges OF this house and that there
fore following the precedent set in sim
liar cases, the house shall decline to
consider them.
with the merits of the question with
reference to the use of the secret SER
vice men, this committee has nothing to
do. We fully recognize the right of the
president to express his disapproval OF
legislation adopted by the congress, to
point out its defects and to ask that they
be considered by congress and such ac-
ton taken as may seem to be in the pub
lie interest. 'o.
Motives Were AssaiIed
But your committee has to consider
the criticisms made by the president upon
Che motives OF congress in its action last
session, to consider his suggestions as to
future legislation and3 to report whether
congress with proper self-respect can re-
ceive them.
ut is stated In theCmessage that the
chief argument in favor of the provision
was that the congressman did not them
selves wish to be Investigated by secret
service men, ana this is repeated in the
additional message. If this was the
chief argument, it must have been by this
argument that the majority Of members
were led to vote In favor of the offending
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, ask
ed IL 1t was intended that If a member
of congress was guilty of unbecoming
conduct the department would be war
ranted In investigating his conduct by se-
cret service men. And the gentleman
from New York, opposing the amend
ulGnly SldleQ lldl we al hHOnB az AaWgCAss
that we were not federal officers; that we
were component members Of the govern
ment, and there was no one over u.s.
Conduct Was Probed IA
''Then the gentleman from Kentucky
said, notwithstanding the views OF the gem
tleman from New York, the private con-
duct of member of congress had once
been investigated by secret service men,
but the gentleman from New York de-
MED even this one and solitary instance,
and stated the investigation in the case
cited had not been made by member Of
the secret service, but by a police officer
of Washington.
1--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 IL
he voted No the secret service might
ferret out his secret sides. @
Nor does II 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 newspapers
are sometimes questioned, even at the
white house.
1.-THE statement contained in the mes
sage that the chief argument in favor OF
the provision was that the congressman
did not themselves wish to be investigat-
ed, can have but one meaning.
Congress Not Afraid
! 'It means that congress voted for the
measure from an improper motive. Any
congressman whose vote can be determin-
ed by unwillingness to have his own con-
duct Investigated by secret service 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 peo-
pie which it is important for the republic
than congress should possess. would be
impaired, IL not destroyed.
1T is dangerous to the republic that a
large portion Of our people should have
their confidence shaken in the judges
who interpret the law; it is equally dan
gerous that their confidence should be
impaired in those who enact the laws and
It is for this reason that the duty evolved
upon the lawmakers not to allow the in
tegrity OF their motives to be lightly
questioned. We may be sure that NJ
legislative bod SWill be respected by the
people unless it respects itself.
Integrity of Congress
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,
vuhnsa vote Is determined not by fear of