The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-01-05
The Message.

Tie message in part is as follows,
To the House of Representatives: |
have received the resolution of the
house of REPRESENTATIVES Of Dec. II,
19cS, running as follows
Whereas, there was contained in
the sundTy civil appropriation bill
which passed congress at its last ses-
SIGN and became law, a provision
with reference to the employment of
the secret service In tae treasury de-
.paFtment: and
2 l-hereas In aba last annual mes
sage of the president of sae United
States TO the two houses of congress.
If was stated in reference 10 that pro-
vision: 1T is not too much to say.
that ibis amendment has heen Of ben
etit only and could be of benefit only.
to the criminal classes" and it was
further stated, The chief argument
III favor OF the provision vas that the
congressman did not themselves wish
to be investigated by secret service
men, and it was further stated: But
Il this is not considered desirable A
special exception could be made in
the law, prohibiting the use of the Sc
c1et service force in investigating
members Of congress. II would be far
b tier to do this than to 10 wat actu-
ally was done. and strive TO prevent
or at least to hamper effective action
against criminals ~ the executive
branch of the government. and
Whereas. the plain meaning of the
above words is that the majority of
the congressman were in fear of being
Investigated by secret service men
and that congress as a whole was act
uSted by that motive in enacting the
provision in question; and
Whereas. your committee appoint
ed to consider these statements of
the president and to report to the
house cannot find in the hearings be-
fore committees HOT in the records of
the house or senate, any justification
Of this impeachment of the honor ana
integrity of the congress; and
Whereas your committee would
prefer in order to make an intelligent
anG comprehensive report Just to the
president as we'll as 10 the congress,
To have all the information W'ssch the
president may have to communicate,
Now, therefore,
BE it resolved, That The president
be requested TO transmit 10 the house
any evidence upon which ne based his
statements that the chief arguments
IN favor of the provision WAS that the
congressman did not themselves wish
20 be Investigated by secret service
HELL anu also 70 transmit 10 the house
any evidence connecting any mem Der
or the house of representatives of The
SiXtieth congress with corrupt action
In his official capacity. AMI to inform
the house whether he has instituted
proceedings for the punishment of any
such individual by the courts or has
reported any such alleged delinquen-
cles to the House of Representatives %
Does Not Understand.
am wholly at a loss 10 understand
the concluding portion OF the reSOlu-
ton. I have made no charges of cor
ruTtion again congress nor against
any member of the present house Il
| had proof of such corruption affect
ing any member of the house in any
matter as TO which the federlI govern
ment had jurisdiction, action would at
once be brought, as was dC0e in the
cases of Senators Mitchell and Burton
and Representative Williamson, Herr
man and briggs, at diffe Int times
since I have been president This
would simply be doing my duty in the
execution and enforcement OF the laws
without respect TO persons. But [ do
rot regard IT as within tae province
CT the duties of the president to re-
port TO the house alleged dPlinQueu-
eies" of members. OF the supposed
corrupt action" Of a member in his
official capacity" The mem berShiD
OF the house is BY tne constitution
placed within the power If the house