Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1909-01-09

made by a member OF the secret SER
vice but by a police officer Of Wash.
ington.
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 be.
cause of the fear that If he voted no
the secret service might ferret out his
secret sins.
Nor does IL seem that statements
made In 1904, even by q newspaper
reporter, are convincing evidence OF
the motive which actuated congress
men In their votes in 1908. The state
ments made In newspapers are some.
times questioned even at the White
House.
The statement contained In the
message that the chief argument I'm
favor of the provisions was that the
congressman did not themselves wish
TO be investigated. can have but one
meaning. Ii means that congress
voted for the measure from an i'm
proper motive. Any congressman
whose vote can be determined by un.
willingness TO have his oNn conduct
Investigated by secret service men, or
by any other man, must surely be in
fear OF the law. II IL was believed
that a majority OF this body were In
fear that their acts might be investi'
gated and their crimes discovered the
respect of the people. which II is inn
rortaut for the republic that congress
A 10 fpnnafrAd ~
not destroyed
1T is dangerous TO the republic
! that large portion of the people
should have their confidence shaken
In the judges who interpret the law;
It is equally dangerous that their con
fdence should be impaired in those
who enact the laws and 1t Is for this
reason that the duty devolyes upon the
| lawmakers not TO allow the integrity
of their motives TO be lightly ques'
toned
we may be sure that no legislative
body will be respected by the people
unless It respects itself.
Doubtless i'm the congress are some
times found unfit and dishonest men,
| but believe that with few exceptions
the body is composed Of men OF in
| tegrity, whose vote is determined not
by fear of the police, but by an honest
regard for the public service. II tile
time should ever come when ma
! jority OF the chosen representatives OF
! the American people were so unfit for
! their trust that their votes were con
trolled 10y a craven fear of the de-
lection of their crimes then surely the
| republic will have come upon evil
/ days and the failure of popular govern
ment will be demonstrated.
THE people of this country have
| sent their representatives TO the con
gress. Many OF them have for long
years been reelected at the polls or
/ by legislatures. We do not believe
! that popular government and univers.
/ al sugrage are such lamentable fail.
| ures that dishonest cOwardly or un.
| fiji men are chosen to continue in Of
| fee In this matter We stand not only
| for our views but for those who sent
us here. The impeachment of those
/ who are chosen is to impeachment OF
| those who choose.
/ The president says that no one
/ holds the dignity of the congress OF
! the United States in the higher regard
than he does Il would therefore be
a thing To be deplored, IL as a result
/ of any unfortunate inadyertence OK
/ language. any untoward combination
/ of words, expressions should remain
! in his message which might be inter
! preted by the people as lessening the
dignity and thereby weakening the au'
| thority of the congress.
1T is said in the message that Grim
inals should be prosecuted II found
in the legislative branch of the gov
ernment and with this we wholly
agree. But the president adds, If this
is not considered desirable a special
exception could be made in the law
prohibiting the use of secret service
! officers in investigating members oil
congress. IN other words, it is sug'
gested that We pass law which Will
facilitate the exposure of other Grim
inals but will protect ourselves. IL
majority of the congress stand for the
exposure OF their own misdeeds, rhey
would he ready TO vote for such law
| but such Is not the case, and against
IL. we must protest. II congress lis
tens tamcly and timidly to reflections
upon the character Of its members and
It's honesty Of purpose, it will de-
serve and il will certainly receive the
contempt of the public. We feel the
suggestions in the presidents mes
sage. the congress should refuse to
meekly receive and mildly TO consider
The congress of the United States
today exists as a result of centuries
l'of struggle tor popular government
Let every man who is a member oil
II vote on this question in the manner
which seems to him most worthy oil
the traditions of which We are the
heirs. of the institutions of which we
are the protectors, and of the people
of whom We are the representatives.
Az was the case when he first spoke
on the question before the holidays,
Mr.. Perkins was frequently interrupt
ed by applause. Upon the conclusion
- hi ranariSc hp submitted the com