The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-18
W|LLETT ASSA|LS
PRESIDENT IN
SPEECH
NEW YORK CONGRESSMAN DE-
cLAREs EVIDENCE IN PANAMA
CANAL DEAL HAS BEEN SUP
PRESSED. 81

WASHINGTON. Jan. 18.-Character-
izing the president, among otner
things as beneficiary OF assassina-
ton" Rep. VIM. Willett. Jr., OF the
fourteenth New York district. deliver
ed one OF the most piercing darts yet
thrust at Roosevelt today.
He followed closely the title OF his
speech. the passing OF Roosevelt,
and his remarks dealt with the move
ments OF the chief executive since his
younger days in New York political
affairs.
Mr. Willett's speech was made dur
ing the time allowed for general de-
bate on the pension appropriation bill.
and referred also To the Panama-Pu-
liter and secret service disputes
Mr. Willett said In part:
ITO the American people. II must be
confessed, a chief magistrate who has
himself 10 sense OF humor, moving
like a horse tedder over the bayfield,
OF American activities and stirring ev-
cry blade OF once-green grass. to let
II fall drier than before; quarreling
one day with the practical politicians.
then with the part-your-hair-in-the mid
die reformers. then with the Social
lists, then with the great industrial
corporations; wrestling In agony OF
spirit with Noah Webster and our
glorious English tongue; taking a fall
out of nature fakirs: exhorting our
women to avoid race suicide-cannot
be an unmixed nuisance.
HE boasts OF Irish blood. but no
historic Irishman would have treated
an ally az he treated Mr.. Hartman.
This pigmy descendant Of Dutch
tradespeople has established court
In the White House which would have
delighted the heart OF his admired
Alexander Hamilton.
Mr.. Chairman, also mean To avoid
dwelling on the Panama canal scan
dial. The Scotch verdict mot proven"
may at the charges Of corruption in
the purchase of French rights for S40,-
900 900. The evidence has been sup
pressed. The list of benenciaries has
not been made public. One thing is
confessed without shame, viz, that
VIM Nelson Cromwell, who contrib
uted $4,000 to the Taft campaign
fund. got the SIC, 1000 and hundreds OF
thousands more on a claim for legal
services In connection with that sale
and purchase. This Is strictly In &C
cordance with precedent.
Without regard to party. all ra-
tional men hope that his successor
may play with success his new role
and give the nation a long rest from
pyrotechnics. puerile and pernicious."
Mr.. Willett was ruled out OF order
and forced to take his seat upon
point OF order made by Representative
Gardner, OF Massachusetts. when VIII
lett declared that the president had
DETAINED the character Of Admiral
Schley In connection with the battle of
Santiago. A vote was taken by the
house whether the speech should pro-
ceed and Mr.. Willett lost by a vote OF
i26 TO rs. Practically every Democrat
la the house voted with Mr.. Willett
The Republican strength favored the
shutting off OF the speech.
II was rumored about the capitol
this afternoon that IL was not alto
gether improbable that some action
may be taken to expel Mr. Willett
from the house. To do this would re-
quire two-thirds vote. Mr.. Wiilettr
friends declare that no such action as
that suggested will be taken.