Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-01-05

Executive - He Renews His Arsu-
nent For Repeal of Law Limiting
Activities of Treasury Agents-Citss
Cases In Which They Have Aided
In Punishment of VioIators Of Fed
eral Laws.
Washington, Jan. AIN a special
message to the house of representa-
tives today President Roosevelt says:
To the House of Representative
| / have received the resolution of the
| house Of representatives of Dec. II,
| 1905, running as follows:
| Whereas, There was contained in the
sundry civil appropriation bill which
passed congress at its last session and be-
| came law a provision in reference to the
| employment of the secret service in the
treasury department; and,
Whereas, In the last annual message of
the president of the United States to the
| two houses Of congress it was stated in
reference to that provision, ut is not too
much to say that this amendment has
been of benefit only and could be of bene-
fit 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 investigated by secret service men.
and it was further stated, But If this is
not considered desirable special excep-
ton could be made in the law prohibiting
the use Of the secret service force in in
Vestigating members OF congress" IT
would be far better to do this than to do
what actually was done and strive to
prevent or at least to hamper effective
action against criminals by 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 inves-
tigated by secret service men and that
congress as q whole was actuated by that
motive in enacting the provision in Ques-
ton; and,
Whereas. Your committee appointed to
consider these statements of the presi-
dent and to report to the house cannot
find in the hearings before committees
nor in the records Of the house or SEN
ate any justification OF this impeach-
ment of the honor and integrity of the
congress; and,
Whereas, Your committee would prefer
in order to make an intelligent and COM
prehensive 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 state
ments that the chief argument in favor
of the provision was that the congress
men did not themselves wish to be in
vestigated by secret service men, and
also to transmit to the house any evil
dence connecting any member of the
house Of representatives Of the Sixtieth
congress with corrupt action in his off,
cial capacity@ and 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 delinquencies to the house Of rep
resentatives.
~ Cannot Understand Resolution"
am wholly at a loss TO understand
the concluding portion Of the resolu-
ton. have made no charges of cor
ruption against congress nor against
any member Of the present house. If
l had proof Of such corruption affect
Mig any member of the house in any
matter as to which the federal gov
ernment has jurisdiction, action would
at once be brought, as was done in the
cases of Senator's Mitchell and Burton
and Representatives Williamson, Herr
mann and briggs at different 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 1 do
not regard 1t as within the province
or the duties Of the president to report
IN 4l1
Of members or the supposed corrupt
action" Of a member 'in his official caA
pacity." The membership of the
house is by the constitution placed
within the power of the house alone.
In the prosecution of criminals and the
enforcement Of the laws the president
must resort to the courts of the United
States.
Portion of Message Quoted.
In the third and fourth clauses of the
preamble it is stated that the meaning
Of my words is that "the majority Of
the congressman are in fear of being
investigated by secret service men,"
and that congress as whole was ac-
tuated by that motive in enact,ng the
provision in question" and that this
is an impeachment of the honor and
Integrity Of the congress. These state
ments are not, l think, in accordance
with the facts The portion Of my
message referred to runs as follows:
Last year an amendment was incor-
porated in the measure providing for the
gG-t-iFn which tod bqt
should be no detail from the secret serv-
ice and no transfer therefron. 1t Is not
too much to say that this amendment has
been Of benefit only and could be Of bene-
Mt only to tho criminal classes If DELHI
erately introduced for the purpose Of di-
mlnishing the effectiveness Of war against
crime it could not have been better de-
vised TO this end 1t forbade the prac-
tees that had been followed to a greater
or less extent BY the executive heads Of
various departments for twenty years To
these practices We owe the securing Of
the evidence which enabled us to drive
great lotteries out OF business and secure
quarter of a million of dollars in fines
from their promoters. These practices
have enabled US to discover some Of the
most optra geoUs frauds in connection
with the theft OF government land and
government timber by great corporations
ard By individuals. These practices have
enabled us to get some of the evidence IN
Gspensable in order to secure the convic-
ton OF the wealthiest and most formida-
bic criminals with whom the government
has to deal, both those operating in VIOLA
tion Of the antitrust law and others. Tho
amendment in qSYstion was of benefit to
no one excepting to these criminals. and
1t seriously hampers the government in
the detection of crime and the securing OF
justice. Moreover. 1t not only affects de-
partments outside Of the treasury, but it
tends to hamper the secretary OF the