The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-01-04

Washington, Jan. S.-Unusual at
tenIion was paid in the house Of rep
resentatiyes today TO the reading ot
II message from the President reply
ing TO a resolution of that body cnll-
ing ON him for an explanation of the
intimation in his annual message that
members Of congress were afraid 90
be- investigated by the secret service.
The galleries were packed.
The Presidents specific references
N certain speeches by Messrs. Taw-
icy. Minnesota. Smith. Iowa; Shii'-
ley, Kentucky, and Fitzgerald. New
York. when the provision for the re-
Strictlon OF the operations OF the sec
ret service was up for discussion. and
sl,o to Mr Busby. the speakers pri-
Y te secretary, called a storm Of
laughter. The speaker several times
Vigorously raped for order
AS the reading OF the message pro-
cceded. many OF the members
cnuckled. others laughed outright,
while some were prone TO joke with
their neighbors.
When the reading OF the message
had been concluded, Mr.. Perkins of
New York chairman OF the special
committee, which originally conidered
the matters, recommended that the
resolution be returned 10 the commit
tee
is resolution In order to that ef-
fect?" asked Mr. Gnggs.
1T is" replied the speaker.
Then said Mr.. Griggs. II move
that this message be returned"
"Oh no." shouted several OF Mr..
Griggs' Democratic colleagues.
Mr.. Perkins insisted tnat the mes
sage should so tn the special commit
Zee, and In the meantime. Mr.. Griggs
withdrew his motion, saying he took
that action at the recommendation Of
the party leaders.
The message is as follows:
To the House of, Representatives.
nave received tho resolution of the
House of Representatives. OF December
IL, 1908, running as follows:
Whereas there WAS contained In
the sundry civil appropriation bill
which passed congress at Its last ses-
sion and became law. provision in
reference to the employment OF the Sc
cret service in the treasury depart
mont; and
Whereas in the last annual message
Of the president OF the United States
to the two houses OF congress II was
stated In reference to that provision {:
TT Is not too much to say that this
amendment has been OF benefit only
AMI could be of benefit only, to the
criminal classes," and 1t was further
suited. THE chief argument in favor Of
Tie provision was that the congress
nsekldid not themselves wish to be In
vestieated by secret service men," and
II was further stated: But IL this Ia
rot considered desirable q special eX-
Iption could be made in the law. pro-
ting the use OF the eercet service
rec In investigating members of con.
ress 1t would be far better To do
lis than to do what actually was done
nd strive to prevent or at least 10
hamper effective action against crlmi-
mails 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 In
vestigated by secret service men and
that congress as a whole was actuated
by that motive In enacting the pro-
ElSlOu III question:, ana
Whereas your committee appointed
TO consider these statements of the
p-esident aud TO report to the house
can not find In the hearings before
committees nor In the records OF the
house or senate. any justification OF
this impeachment OF the honor and IN
tegrty of the congress- and
Whereas your committee would pre-
fer in order 10 make an intelligent and
comprehensive report. Just to the presi
dent as well as 10 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 10 the house
any evidence upon which he based hi.
statements that 8be chief argumen
In favor OF the provision was that tn,
congressman did not themselves wisl
TO be Investigated oy secret seryicl
men. and also To transmit TO the hous,
any evidence connecting any membe
Of the house of representatives OF Ia,
sixtieth congress with corrupt actor
In his Official capacity, and 10 inform
the house whether he has institute,
proceedings for the punishment of an,
sucn individual by the courts or ha
reported any such alleged delinQuin
cies 10 The house Of representatives.
/ am wholly at n loss to understan
the concluding portion OF the re9oll
ton. | have made no charges of col
ruption against congress nor againq
any member of the present house.
had proof of such corruption nfTectln
any member of the house in any ma
ter as TO which the federal governmcl
has jurisdiction. action would at ono
b. brought, as was done in the cas-,
OF Senator Mitchell and Burton, ar
Representatives Williamson. Her
mann, and briggs. at different tim
since ] have been president TIN
would simply be doing my duty in q
lexecutiop and enforcement OF the lar
without respect TO persons. But | {
mot regard 1t as within the proyin
Ior the duties Of tho president 10 repc
10 the house alleged dellnquencie
~ members. OF the supposed CORFU
ction'' OF member I'm his ofrici
capacity The membership OF I
house is b. the constitution plse
a