The Detroit times., 1909-01-09
HOUSE OENOUNCES
ROOSEVELT FOR
|Ns|NUAT|ON
HAT PART OF HIS MESSAGE
SAYING THAT cONGRESSMEN
FEARED SECRET SERVICE IS
LAID ON THE TABLE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. s.-To the &C
impairment OF prolonged applause OH
9TH sides of the house, the Perkins
bmmittee appointed TO decide wha'
purse should be pursued with refer
hce to the presidents remarks about
he secret service in his annual mes
hge--today brought into the house a
fport charging that the presidents re-
ections upon the membership OF that
bdy were absolutely unjustihabie
hat his special message dealing Win
he same subject and written at the
bauest of the house. was unrespon'
We and evasive aud that all often
We portions of the two messages be
i'd upon the table,
This action constitutes the elimina-
lon from the records or congress
[atemcnts OF the president, an action
hich Is almost unprecedented in the
istory OF thu United states.
Chairman rerNns. OF the special
bmmittec. ia presenting his report,
hys
"Your committee has considered the
riticisms made by the president upon
be motives OF congress IN its action
LIST session, his suggestions as TO fu-
ire legilation and whether congress
it'll proper selfrespect can receive
hem. II is stated in the message that
be chief argument In favor OF the
revision was that the congressman
Id not themselves wish to be inves-
gated by secret service men, and this
repeated in the additional message.
this was the chief argument. II
bust have been by this argument that
be majority OF members were led 10
ote in favor of the offending provis-
bn. Your committee is unable TO share
b this belief
I'VE do not think that even the most
morous OF congressman could have
Pen induced by these arguments TO
|ote in favor of the amendment from
far that If he voted no the secret SER
ice might ferret out his secret sins
THE statement contained In the
Ressage that the chief argument In
hvor OF the provision was that the
'bngressmen did not themselves wish
B be investigated can have but one
Meaning. II means that congress
|oted for the measure from an improp-
n motive Any congressman whose
jote can be determined by unwilling
less to have his own conduct investi-
hted by secret service men. or by
my other man. must surely be in fear
\ the law If II was believed that a
hajority OF this body were in fear
hat their acts might be investigated
nd their crimes discovered the respect
II the people. which IL is important
br the republic that congress should
|ossess. would be impaired. II not de-
troyed
Doubtless in the congress are some
ines found unfit and dishonest men.
hut believe that with few exceptions
he body is composed of men of integ.
Ity whose vote is determined not by
bar OF the police. but by an honest
egard for the public service"
President Roosevelt was taken
b task today on the floor Of
he house OF representatives in
manner unhesrd Of since the
|ers OF congress and crowds in the
hlleries sat in utter astonishment AS
Tawney. OF Mime
bta; Smith, OF Michigan; Sherley. OF
kentucky. and Fitzgerald. OF New
|ork, delivered vitriolic denunciatioDs
the chief executive.
Representatives Perkins. Weeks.
VILLAINS. Lloyd and DENLY, members
\ the special committee, spoke in
Import OF their resolution 10 table the
beasure.
Representative Bennett, OF New
|ork, friend OF the president, spoke
his support Mr. Bennett declared
e believed the president meant no
bsult TO congress in the first message
md that he thought his second mes
age was a clear explanation.
The debate followed the report Of
he special house committee appointed
b pass upon that part OF the presi-
ent's opening message to congress in
Fbich the president declared the APP
ropriations committee had limited the
ervices of the secret service OF the
overnment because members OF con
ress were themselves afraid OF being
Investigated.
The committee recommended that
hat part Of the message dealing with
ecret service be tabled and expunged
rom the records. and this recon-
1endation was the signal for the ora
prical explosion. the like OF which